 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2004(OT) American Bashing...A Canadian Perspective
OK, Once I woke up from my x-mass haze of food/booze & parties...I HAD to respond to this... So here we go.... All cut peices of Catnipped's post will appear in quotation marks: "Only America can say it has liberated many countries from occupation or oppression and "COLONIZED NONE!"" ....Ummm, arent you forgetting Panama? And, although DIRECT colonization is not apparent, putting 'puppets' in place is Standard procedure for the US Govt. ie. Chile, Nicaragua, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Columbia...and on, and on... Liberated, is a very subjective term... Just ask countries that were 'liberated' by the former USSR. "America is a positive force in the world as recorded by its actions throughout history which have propelled mankind forward." Not according to any country that has been on the recieving end of america's force. Earlier you said that your nation, as all nations tend to do, acts in self interest. This is true & this is where it ends, US foreign policy is not & has NEVER been guided by altruism. "America, a young nation of just 228 years, achieved economic superiority ultimately because of it's many tolerances for the ways in which a person may pursue life, liberty and prosperity." Utter propaganda It has achived economic superiority (which is currently taking a nose dive) through Military & political bullying. & Global economic blackmail. I highly reccomend reading a few books &/or articles by Noam Chomsky... I could quote him & his references directly to make this point, but then this post would be 20 pages long. " I'm no fool. I know we're not perfect. But I know we're still the last, best hope on this planet" ...The USA is NOT Babylon5... seee previous point re: lack of altruism. "# If we're so greedy, why do you crave our money? # If our culture's so base, why do you seek out our movies? # If our people are so tacky, why do you hunger for our tourism? # If our fast food is so pass?, why do your countrymen rarely pass up going to a McDonald's? # If our people are so stupid, why do your people seek out our universities? # If we're so backwards, why do you buy our computers? # If we're so unconcerned about the world, why did we commit $15 billion to wipe out AIDS in this world?" .... Good marketing.... "# And if we're so selfish, why are we always there when you need us?" Ohhh, borad generlization & completely undefendable. Ask the people of: Sommalia, Rawanda, Palistine, Viet Nam, Cambodia.... The UN (which the USA owes HUNDREDS of millions of dollars, but would rather give to Haliburton). The fact is that the USA only helps when it's in the Corporate intrest of the current Govt's biggest supporters. I cite BOTH world wars as examples.... Both were fought for 2 years or more by the rest of us while the USA sat on the fence & sold weapons & supplies to BOTH sides... Made alot of money, too. "No, we're not a perfect nation, but I don't know of any other nation, present or past, that has been so caring, so generous with it's money and volunteers, so willing to try to "save the world", so adamant in trying to spread freedom, wealth, and happiness, and so willing to sit back and take the criticism without ceasing that help in retaliation." ...Without ceasing that help in retalliation? Every bit of US aid is 'Tied Aid' these deals don't make headlines on Fox & CNN, because the owners of afore mentioned companies usually profit from them. ( Footnote: over 80% of the US mass media is owned by one of two parent companies: GE & Westinghouse. These two companies make most of their money from (Suprise), military& government contracts)... If you don't tow the US line, forget about aid. Currently the 2 largest recipients of US aid (mostly military) in the world are: Turkey & Columbia. Both these countries are in violation of MORE UN resolutions than Iraq was at the time of invasion. 'The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was making the world belive he did'nt exist.".... Well, the greatest trick the US Corprate media ever pulled, was making people belive they are propoganda free. CatNipped's post is a textbook example of how sucessful they are. DON'T BELIVE WHAT THEY SPOON FEED YOU! ASK QUESTIONS. FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU! In short: Don't let them manufacture consent.... My apologies to anyone who is offended by political discussion. It is not my intention to offend, simply to inform & get more people to ask more questions, become more informed & make their own decisions.  SignatureMathew Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat En Vino Veritas <snipped a lot of interesting stuff> Mathew, thank you for a very informative post, you made some very good points. You're right, I was doing a lot of flag-waving. I was trying to counteract some of the US bashing that is now paramont in the world today and the consequences of that bashing to the citizens of the US. Yes, the US government has played some very dirty tricks not only on other countries, but also on its own citizens. *However*, can you please name another government of any nation, past or present, that didn't do the same things that you have accused the US government of doing? Why is it only fashionable for the whole world to bash the US and not, say, England who for centuries has carried out political ingrigues and colonization? Why aren't we looking at what France is doing in South Africa and shining a light on that? The most telling part of your post was your accusation of *corporate* string-pulling - very, very true. Well, most large, influential corporations are global in size and scope and if their string pulling is most obvious in the US that's only because the US is the most obvious dupe, being in a position to affect world affairs. The same thing is happening in every other country in the world. An interesting book, although fictional, that gives the reader some idea of the real "power behind the throne" is Taylor Caldwell's "The Captains and the Kings" (think "Kennedy" every time you see "Armagh"). Hugs, CatNipped > <snipped a lot of interesting stuff> > Yes, the US government has played some very dirty tricks not only on other > countries, but also on its own citizens. *However*, can you please name > another government of any nation, past or present, that didn't do the same > things that you have accused the US government of doing? ....My own. Not saying the Canadian Govt. has totally clean hands. But, they're clean-er than most. Ever since Lester B. Pearson created UN Peacekeeping troops, in response to the Suez Canal crisis, we've done pretty good at playing nice with the world. Note: Pearson won the Nobel Peace Prize for his actions with the UN in the Suez. When he was presented with the award, the Nobel Comittie said (and I quote) "For saving the world". Why is it only > fashionable for the whole world to bash the US and not, say, England who for > centuries has carried out political ingrigues and colonization? Why aren't > we looking at what France is doing in South Africa and shining a light on > that? Because, lot's of US intrests are making money there too. Remember, Aparthide only ended when the rest of the world realised it was no longer profitable. .... > The most telling part of your post was your accusation of *corporate* > string-pulling - very, very true. > Well, most large, influential corporations are global in size and scope and > if their string pulling is most obvious in the US that's only because the US > is the most obvious dupe, being in a position to affect world affairs. The > same thing is happening in every other country in the world. True. but currently, the only ones using overt military power to do it is the USA. Compunded by the fact that they are trying to cloak it all in 'Freedom & Democracy' doublespeak. It's like the schoolyard bully, there's lots of other, more subtle bullying going on all over the playground... But no one notices because he's the biggest & loudest. > An interesting book, although fictional, that gives the reader some idea of > the real "power behind the throne" is Taylor Caldwell's "The Captains and > the Kings" (think "Kennedy" every time you see "Armagh"). Sounds good, I'll track it down. I'm a voracious reader. If you like movies, check out the latest version of 'The Manchurian Candidate' with Denzel Washington... Very topical, very scary. I reccomend for reading: 'Hegemony or Survival, the American Empire Project' - Noam Chomsky & 'Shake Hands With the Devil' - Lt. Gen. Romeo Dillaire Thanks, I love a good debate... > > Mathew > > Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat > > En Vino Veritas > Sounds good, I'll track it down. I'm a voracious reader. If you like > movies, check out the latest version of 'The Manchurian Candidate' with > Denzel Washington... Very topical, very scary. I reccomend for reading: > 'Hegemony or Survival, the American Empire Project' - Noam Chomsky & > 'Shake > Hands With the Devil' - Lt. Gen. Romeo Dillaire Saw it, scared the pants off me! > Thanks, I love a good debate... Well, I can see I'm going to have to get *much* better informed if I'm going to keep up my end of this! ;> Hugs, CatNipped >Why is it only >fashionable for the whole world to bash the US and not, say, England who for >centuries has carried out political ingrigues and colonization? Sorry CatNipped, but come over to the UK and you'll regularly come across England/UK-bashing by other parts of the UK, other European countries, other parts of the globe. It doesn't just apply to America. In the past the UK did indeed colonize parts of the globe with, for want of a better term, gunboat diplomacy, but American government is effectively doing this *now* with its threat of "You are with us or against us" and in the spread of American culture across the globe via the media. As one simple example - the amount of USA television we have on UK screens is *huge*. That is effectively spreading American culture across the world. Iraq is currently being sold off to American corporations which is effective colonisation by the back door. Cheers, helen s --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove fame & fortune h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$ --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off-- > >Why is it only > >fashionable for the whole world to bash the US and not, say, England who [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > to American corporations which is effective colonisation by the back > door. A neutral observer might have suggested the Foreign Office missed a great opportunity to tell China "All right, you can have Hong Kong back. You must, however, also agree to take Northern Ireland." >A neutral observer might have suggested the Foreign Office missed a >great opportunity to tell China "All right, you can have Hong Kong back. >You must, however, also agree to take Northern Ireland." Ah yes, but I wonder if the people in N ireland would like to be under the rule of Beijing? Cheers, helen s ;-) --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove fame & fortune h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$ --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off-- > >A neutral observer might have suggested the Foreign Office missed a > >great opportunity to tell China "All right, you can have Hong Kong back. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the rule > of Beijing? Assume smiley. I suspect HM Government would simply like not to be bothered. > >A neutral observer might have suggested the Foreign Office missed a >>great opportunity to tell China "All right, you can have Hong Kong back. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Cheers, helen s ;-) I would be surprised if they'd like to be under the rule of any country except their own. Tweed >> >Why is it only >> >fashionable for the whole world to bash the US and not, say, England who [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > great opportunity to tell China "All right, you can have Hong Kong back. > You must, however, also agree to take Northern Ireland." ROFL. Yes please! Tweed > OK, Once I woke up from my x-mass haze of food/booze & parties...I HAD to > respond to this... So here we go.... All cut peices of Catnipped's post [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > not apparent, putting 'puppets' in place is Standard procedure for the US > Govt. ie. Chile, Nicaragua, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Columbia...and on, and on... And don't forget Cuba - although considering the disappointment Castro turned out to be, I'm sure our government would LIKE to forget it! > Not according to any country that has been on the recieving end of > america's force. Earlier you said that your nation, as all nations tend to > do, acts in self interest. This is true & this is where it ends, US foreign > policy is not & has NEVER been guided by altruism. And seldom by much intelligence, either! > Utter propaganda It has achived economic superiority (which is currently > taking a nose dive) through Military & political bullying. & Global economic > blackmail. I highly reccomend reading a few books &/or articles by Noam > Chomsky... I could quote him & his references directly to make this point, > but then this post would be 20 pages long. Actually, I recommend reading a History of the U.S. written by a Canadian, such as the text we used in my college "American History" class (author was Cotterell, IIRC). Quite an eye-opener, after all the American Legion approved history texts forced upon us in public school! (Consider the War of 1812: U.S. version = "Second War for Independence"; Canadian version = "Failed War for the Acquisition of Canada".) |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.