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SimplyMichael -> RE: An example of why our military loves the press .... (10/30/2007 2:42:06 PM)
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ORIGINAL: pinkme2
Thanks for the well thought out answer, Philo.
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Firstly, stop the support of Israel......put them in a situation where they have to use diplomacy to get along with their neighbours instead of being able to rely on US funded force.
A few questions relating to this one. First: What do you think will happen once we pull our support? Second: They share our values and type of government and have supported us as well. Don't you think that by pulling our support, we'll be lending morale support to those that wish for their destruction? Don't you think other allies in other areas will then mistrust us as well? (I guess that was a 2 part question.lol)
My values don't include bulldozing people's houses and then standing around bewildered why they might want to kill me. I would take the Israelis over the arabs any day but at the same time the Jews shouldn't look at warsaw ghettos and be shocked that they people want to kill the ones wearing jack boots.
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Secondly, the middle east only has the imprtance is does to the West because of oil. So time to go to alternative sources of energy.
You are aware that only 12 percent of the US's oil is from the ME? We're able to do without. Now, I realize you said "west". Europe uses a far larger percentage of ME oil and so is more dependent. But in all honesty, that's something for them to work out.
Thanks for so clearly demonstrating your grasp of capitalism and how markets work, GLOBAL markets....
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Thirdly, encourage all nations to sign up to some form of universal human rights standard, and then stick to it........if your ally breaks the code they stop being your ally. In other words, occupy the moral high ground.
Well, it's called the UN, it's corrupt and Nations most likely to use inhumane treatment are on the councils overseeing others. Signing a paper doesn't guarantee a whole lot. The whole idea sounds good, but the reality doesn't work. I for one do not want my Nation to give up soveriegnty to some other "World" council. I don't want my leaders or soldiers judged by a potentially corrupt "world court". I imagine that citizens of other nations feel the same.
First it was what you "believe" to be true and now it is your "imagination" but most countries DO believe in the ICC. As for "Nations most likely to use inhumane treatment are on the councils overseeing others." the irony is rather funny but is obviously lost on you.
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Fourthly, this is not just advice for US foreign policy, it applies to all nations.
I like this part, even if I disagree with the others. Often we get constantly slammed with accusations, most of which are minor compared to what happens in other nations. I'm glad we have standards, but it becomes an American-bashing contest. Bah.
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In essence, get our noses out from where they don't belong.
Some of your points would put our noses deep into the business of other nations. How do you guarantee humane treatment (and who defines that?) without oversight?
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The middle east will not solve its problems by the efforts of one country alone....
Personally I don't think the ME, Asia, Africa, or umm.. Russia can ever be less fucked up.
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because all nations are too self interested.
As they should be.
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Just as in our own countries we have to abide by Law in order to co-exist, so international relations must be governed by Law.
But what law? Who administers it? That's the issue. We get charges of corrupt law in all countries. But somehow on an international scale it's going to be immune? Remember the Oil for food program? That's just one example of the UN and it's work. Other than the vaccination program, I can't think of anything the UN does well.
Are you speaking of a need for a different organization?
The rest is just too funny to bother with.
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