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The post that was quoted here has been removedhttp://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/united-states
This Human Rights Watch report ought to shame any American.
The United States has a vibrant civil society and media that enjoy strong constitutional protections. The victims of abuse are typically the weakest and most vulnerable in US society: immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, children, the elderly, the poor, and prisoners.
The US incarcerates more people than any other country. Practices contrary to human rights principles, such as the death penalty, juvenile life-without-parole sentences, and solitary confinement are common and often marked by racial disparities. Increasing numbers of non-citizens are held in immigration detention facilities although many are not dangerous or at risk of absconding. Federal prosecutions for illegal entry and reentry have escalated.
The federal government under President Barack Obama has continued some abusive counterterrorism policies, including detentions without charge at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, and proceedings before fundamentally flawed military commissions.
Remember the phrase, when asked what makes America great? in the original video ? "Freedom." Well for a country that values freedom so much, how interesting that The US incarcerates more people than any other country.
In American politics as in George Orwell's 1984, words like "freedom" have come to be used in the pursuit of its direct opposite.
Originally posted by finneganLet's run through the checklist, then:
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/united-states
This Human Rights Watch report ought to shame any American.
[quote]
The United States has a vibrant civil society and media that enjoy strong constitutional protections. The victims of abuse are typically the weakest and most vulnerable in US society: immigrants, racial and ethnic min ...[text shortened]... Orwell's 1984, words like "freedom" have come to be used in the pursuit of its direct opposite.
1) WAR IS PEACE - Yes, the American Neocon credo.
2) FREEDOM IS SLAVERY - The Koch brothers prefer "Slavery is freedom," but have purchased the copyright for the original.
3) IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH - The know-nothing Tea Party has nailed this bang on, cuz science is socialism! Besides, Sarah Palin is a doubleplusgood bellyfeel duckspeaker.
Those of Protestant background are now at 48 percent, less than a majority for the first time in the history of the North. Those who say they are Catholic measure 45 percent, while the remainder professes no religion.Of course the room for hope in Northern Ireland is not the growing proportion of catholics but the growing proportion who profess no religion at all and - one might think - profess no submission to the poison of nationalism and sectarianism.
Originally posted by finneganSo what if Putin is another Hitler? You will be begging the US for help....again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures
UK is fourth, after US, China and Russia. For the size of country that ought to just about cover things.
So off you go and get stuffed. It is time we stopped being an American aircraft carrier anchored this side of the Atlantic.
(Ireland is spending 0.56% of its GDP on the mil ...[text shortened]... pared with America's 4.4%. That is why it keeps getting invaded of course. Those pesky Vikings.)
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Originally posted by whodeyYes that is one scenario you might consider but what if the next US president is another Hitler?
So what if Putin is another Hitler? You will be begging the US for help....again.
Roosevelt helped out against Hitler but I am not sure his Republican rivals would have done if they had ousted Roosevelt.
It was of course Russia that defeated Hitler.
Originally posted by finneganForget about WW 1 as well?
Yes that is one scenario you might consider but what if the next US president is another Hitler?
Roosevelt helped out against Hitler but I am not sure his Republican rivals would have done if they had ousted Roosevelt.
It was of course Russia that defeated Hitler.
Woops, you sure did. What dependent helpless slackers you Brits are. No wonder we kicked your arse in the 1700's. All we needed was a few hick farmers with a shot gun or two to chase you away.
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Originally posted by wittywonka"We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbors, we put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and we cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars, acted like men. We aspired to intelligence; we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior."
I've never understood criticism of this dramatic scene.
Even if you disagree with the criticisms that the character levels at the U.S., I still find it hard to believe you couldn't agree with the character's tone at the end:
"We sure used to be. We stood up for what was right. We fought for moral reasons, we passed laws, struck down laws for moral r ...[text shortened]... ent? It sure says a lot about the United States' potential. It's something to aspire to, itself.
Even when our accomplishments were acknowledged by the outside world, America wasn't perfect. We always have used imperfect means to solve difficult, if not impossible problems. And if as a few, including me, are correct that America is in decline, that decline need not be permanent. At times, even great nations, great empires have bit off more than they could chew.
I pose the question, "What country is greater?"
Originally posted by SoothfastThis checklist is pure ignorance.
Let's run through the checklist, then:
1) WAR IS PEACE - Yes, the American Neocon credo.
2) FREEDOM IS SLAVERY - The Koch brothers prefer "Slavery is freedom," but have purchased the copyright for the original.
3) IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH - The know-nothing Tea Party has nailed this bang on, cuz science is socialism! Besides, Sarah Palin is a doubleplusgood bellyfeel duckspeaker.
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Originally posted by normbenignThat depends on what you think makes a country great. If that is national GDP or military prowess, then the USA is the greatest country in the world.
I pose the question, "What country is greater?"
If it's the standard of living, then the USA comes somewhere in ~10-20th place depending on the specifics of your criteria.
Originally posted by KazetNagorrabut what of the massive growth of national debt the usa and the uk are bankrupt.
That depends on what you think makes a country great. If that is national GDP or military prowess, then the USA is the greatest country in the world.
If it's the standard of living, then the USA comes somewhere in ~10-20th place depending on the specifics of your criteria.
