Knowleman
November 9th 04, 02:11 PM
Tre' - let me give you another perspective from a close American ally
- the UK. We are of course all concerned with terrorism and are
largely in line with the American people on many other matters. There
are many Brits, however, who feel that the world is generally a more
risky place as a result of the Bush administration's approach to
international affairs.
The reason is that international politics is a bit like brain surgery
- you need need to use the right techniques, precision instruments and
know that if you cut here, there is likely to be an effect over there.
From where we are sitting, it looks a bit like Bush has stormed into
the operating theatre, pushed all of the highly qualified and
experience surgeons to one side and is now attempting brain surgury by
wielding a big club with a six in nail through it. The risk is that
all we end up with is a bloody mess, which is the direction is appears
to many to be heading in.
Added to this, the Brits are generally very historically aware and
understand that from the crusades through northern ireland to the
current situation in the middle east, religion has been used as an
excuse to promote ideallistic viewpoints through bloodshed and
torture. It is therefore very worrying to us that a world superpower
and the top man himself is becoming more and more driven by
fundamentalist christian ideals. The constitution separates church
from state, but Mr Bush and many Americans seem to want them pulled
back together, which makes dealing objectively with nations that
revolve around other faiths very difficult - if not in practice, then
in perceptional terms.
The US administration's attitude to the health of the planet is also
extremely worrying to us here in Europe, which is something that
should be of interest to the ecologically aware reef keeping community
(there you go - a legitimate link to this forum). We understand the
delicate balance of biological systems more than most so I would
expect the average reefer to be extremely concerned at Bush dismissing
the worries of the European community in this area.
There is more if we get into discussions on the economy, but I will
stop there.
The point is though, that a lot of what America does has a direct
impact on the health and safety of the rest of us. It is therefore not
just simply a case of letting the mad, delusional, misguided Americans
get on with it (this is the language of the local press here, not me).
We need America to act responsibily on the world stage and when it
doesn't we get either ****ed off or afraid. Right now, I have to admit
to being personally a bit afraid of what America will do in Iran,
North Korea, etc.
The comment about America deserving another attack is clearly hot
helpful to the debate, but the fact is that the course pursued by Bush
and Co has almost certainly raised the chances of another major
strike, which is probably the point the person was trying to make.
America is now much more of a target than it was on 9/11 (as is the
UK) and the only way to reduce this risk is for the responsible
members of the world community to pull together.
We all hope that the Bush second term will be more about building
bridges rather than tearing them down. That's the real key to reducing
the risk to all of us.
To achieve a stable and harmonious reef aquarium requires patience, a
well informed methodical approach and taking it one step at a time.
Building a stable and harmonious world is much harder but the
principle is the same. I cannot make a new tank cycle more quickly
through brute force and neither can I use it to achieve peace in
Middle East.
"Tre' Landrum" > wrote in message news:<Cmzjd.14785$233.5983@okepread05>...
> OK, I am confused... why exactly do we deserve to "get hit again" and have
> our economy go "into a deep depression"? Is it because we reelected Bush?
> Wow, that is something. We "deserve" to have Americans killed. So I deserve
> to be killed. You wish me dead... wow. Well, if this is really have you feel
> why don't you just pick up a gun back up your words face to face... with
> honor. None of this name calling and back stabbing... you pick up a gun
> gather all your buddies and float right on over there and back it up. Till
> then we will elect who ever we like, this is our country. Thank you very
> much.
>
> Tre' .... backing any American in the face of terror... no matter who they
> voted for!
>
>
- the UK. We are of course all concerned with terrorism and are
largely in line with the American people on many other matters. There
are many Brits, however, who feel that the world is generally a more
risky place as a result of the Bush administration's approach to
international affairs.
The reason is that international politics is a bit like brain surgery
- you need need to use the right techniques, precision instruments and
know that if you cut here, there is likely to be an effect over there.
From where we are sitting, it looks a bit like Bush has stormed into
the operating theatre, pushed all of the highly qualified and
experience surgeons to one side and is now attempting brain surgury by
wielding a big club with a six in nail through it. The risk is that
all we end up with is a bloody mess, which is the direction is appears
to many to be heading in.
Added to this, the Brits are generally very historically aware and
understand that from the crusades through northern ireland to the
current situation in the middle east, religion has been used as an
excuse to promote ideallistic viewpoints through bloodshed and
torture. It is therefore very worrying to us that a world superpower
and the top man himself is becoming more and more driven by
fundamentalist christian ideals. The constitution separates church
from state, but Mr Bush and many Americans seem to want them pulled
back together, which makes dealing objectively with nations that
revolve around other faiths very difficult - if not in practice, then
in perceptional terms.
The US administration's attitude to the health of the planet is also
extremely worrying to us here in Europe, which is something that
should be of interest to the ecologically aware reef keeping community
(there you go - a legitimate link to this forum). We understand the
delicate balance of biological systems more than most so I would
expect the average reefer to be extremely concerned at Bush dismissing
the worries of the European community in this area.
There is more if we get into discussions on the economy, but I will
stop there.
The point is though, that a lot of what America does has a direct
impact on the health and safety of the rest of us. It is therefore not
just simply a case of letting the mad, delusional, misguided Americans
get on with it (this is the language of the local press here, not me).
We need America to act responsibily on the world stage and when it
doesn't we get either ****ed off or afraid. Right now, I have to admit
to being personally a bit afraid of what America will do in Iran,
North Korea, etc.
The comment about America deserving another attack is clearly hot
helpful to the debate, but the fact is that the course pursued by Bush
and Co has almost certainly raised the chances of another major
strike, which is probably the point the person was trying to make.
America is now much more of a target than it was on 9/11 (as is the
UK) and the only way to reduce this risk is for the responsible
members of the world community to pull together.
We all hope that the Bush second term will be more about building
bridges rather than tearing them down. That's the real key to reducing
the risk to all of us.
To achieve a stable and harmonious reef aquarium requires patience, a
well informed methodical approach and taking it one step at a time.
Building a stable and harmonious world is much harder but the
principle is the same. I cannot make a new tank cycle more quickly
through brute force and neither can I use it to achieve peace in
Middle East.
"Tre' Landrum" > wrote in message news:<Cmzjd.14785$233.5983@okepread05>...
> OK, I am confused... why exactly do we deserve to "get hit again" and have
> our economy go "into a deep depression"? Is it because we reelected Bush?
> Wow, that is something. We "deserve" to have Americans killed. So I deserve
> to be killed. You wish me dead... wow. Well, if this is really have you feel
> why don't you just pick up a gun back up your words face to face... with
> honor. None of this name calling and back stabbing... you pick up a gun
> gather all your buddies and float right on over there and back it up. Till
> then we will elect who ever we like, this is our country. Thank you very
> much.
>
> Tre' .... backing any American in the face of terror... no matter who they
> voted for!
>
>