18 Mar 05
1 edit
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Secretary of State.
Develop and test your very own atomic bomb
Come close to nuclear conflict with nuclear armed neighbour, threatening the lives of millions
Refuse to sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty
Sell nuclear technology to "Axis of Evil" nation Iran
Harbour Bin Laden and Al Queda operatives while accepting large amounts of cash for supporting the war on terrorism
Be ruled by a Army General who took over in a military coup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
18 Mar 05
2 edits
Originally posted by steerpikeWould it be stating the obvious to point out that the complex relationships between nations sometimes can't be reduced to a simple 'black/white' scenario? Or that international diplomacy sometimes requires saying things that should not be taken at face value?
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Sec ...[text shortened]... oup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
Or am I seeing complexity where there isn't any?
18 Mar 05
Originally posted by ivangriceYou're choosing to misinterpret hypocrisy as complexity.
Would it be stating the obvious to point out that the complex relationships between nations sometimes can't be reduced to a simple 'black/white' scenario? Or that international diplomacy sometimes requires saying things that should not be taken at face value?
Or am I seeing complexity where there isn't any?
It's the same thing we did during the cold war. Any strong arm dictator could be our friend as long as they took the proper line toward communism. When you claim to be the champion of freedom and yet support people like Augusto Pinochet and Mobuto Sese Seko, that isn't complexity. It's hypocrisy, plain and simple.
18 Mar 05
Originally posted by steerpikeIt's condola unbelievable.
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Secretary of State.
Develop and test your very own atomic bomb
Come close to nuclear conflict with nuclear armed neighb ...[text shortened]... who took over in a military coup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
18 Mar 05
Originally posted by rwingett
You're choosing to misinterpret hypocrisy as complexity.
It's the same thing we did during the cold war. Any strong arm dictator could be our friend as long as they took the proper line toward communism. When you claim to be the champion of freedom and yet support people like Augusto Pinochet and Mobuto Sese Seko, that isn't complexity. It's hypocrisy, plain and simple.
Champions of Freedom, Champions of Free Speech ....... now where have I heard this before ?
19 Mar 05
Originally posted by steerpikeThe best way to get something out of someone else is to compliment and flatter them:
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Secretary of State.
Develop and test your very own atomic bomb
Come close to nuclear conflict with nuclear armed neighb ...[text shortened]... who took over in a military coup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
If you want to impress a women flatter her
If you want to sell a product compliment the purchaser
If you want to improve your international relations with Pakistan (to get terrorists, get to afghan druglords) you need kinds words. USA has traditionally tried to bribe everyone with money, but it is having PR nightmare, so some sweet talking is just a new strategy.
20 Mar 05
1 edit
Originally posted by invigorateIf a woman flatters me by saying I am incredibly attractive - when really I am a fat obnoxious drunk - how does that change the behaviour of myself and my boorish mates?
The best way to get something out of someone else is to compliment and flatter them:
If you want to impress a women flatter her
If you want to sell a product compliment the purchaser
If you want to improve your international relations ...[text shortened]... having PR nightmare, so some sweet talking is just a new strategy.
20 Mar 05
Originally posted by steerpikeA nice quote:
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Secretary of State.
Develop and test your very own atomic bomb
Come close to nuclear conflict with nuclear armed neighb ...[text shortened]... who took over in a military coup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
"Bush's democracy-promotion agenda is as much about rhetoric and symbols as it is about military action. If we want to lead by example, then, we've got to make sure that our example is consistent."
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2005/03/13/re_branding_america?pg=full
20 Mar 05
Originally posted by rwingettINTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY:
You're choosing to misinterpret hypocrisy as complexity.
It's the same thing we did during the cold war. Any strong arm dictator could be our friend as long as they took the proper line toward communism. When you claim to be the champion of freedom and yet support people like Augusto Pinochet and Mobuto Sese Seko, that isn't complexity. It's hypocrisy, plain and simple.
reading through the doublespeak, in both scenarios, i do not see hypocrisy:
the sole concern for the us is surely finding countries to submit to longterm allegiance with the us.
'insignificant' issues such as those addressed in this thread can easily be discounted if us allegiance is involved.
the message in both cases is simply doublespeak for:
ally with the us and the us will care about nothing else.
finding allies is the only thing that matters ... and the stronger the better.
20 Mar 05
Originally posted by flexmoreYes.
INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY:
reading through the doublespeak, in both scenarios, i do not see hypocrisy:
the sole concern for the us is surely finding countries to submit to longterm allegiance with the us.
'insignificant' issues such as those addressed in this thread can easily be discounted if us allegiance is involved.
the message in both cases ...[text shortened]... nothing else.
finding allies is the only thing that matters ... and the stronger the better.
However, Osama Bin Laden was one of the US's allies.
So was Saddam Hussein.
So has been every anti-social dictorship in central and Southern America.
The means do not always justify the goal Flexmore.
20 Mar 05
Originally posted by flexmoreOf course. But it's hypocrisy when you follow these actions and at the same time claim that you are fighting for freedom. If they were honest and just came out and said that they were fighting to make the US stronger at the expense of other countries, instead of trying to dress it up as "fighting for freedom" then at least there would be no hypocrisy involved.
INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY:
reading through the doublespeak, in both scenarios, i do not see hypocrisy:
the sole concern for the us is surely finding countries to submit to longterm allegiance with the us.
'insignificant' issues such as those addressed in this thread can easily be discounted if us allegiance is involved.
the message in both cases ...[text shortened]... nothing else.
finding allies is the only thing that matters ... and the stronger the better.
21 Mar 05
Originally posted by steerpikeIsn't it great being an ally of the US?
(http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)
All you Islamics finally have a national role model to aspire to. And here is some things you can get started on right away to impress the United States Secretary of State.
Develop and test your very own atomic bomb
Come close to nuclear conflict with nuclear armed neighb ...[text shortened]... who took over in a military coup
Run a Secret Service implicated in bomb attacks on civilians
Those nasty little North Koreans were caught selling uranium hexafluoride -- which can be enriched to weapons-grade uranium- to the Libyans. Shock and horror from the US and a call to their more pliant European allies to stand behind the US again in its battle against the 'axis of evil'.
Now the Washigton Post tells us the Koreans did not sell it to the Libyans after all. They sold it to Pakistan (who already have an atomic bomb) and it was the Pakistanis who sold it to the Libyans - presumably for a good mark up. Makes a change from selling to the Iranians I suppose.
Of course, the US forgot to add this little detail when they were telling the Europeans what to do.
Isn't is great being an Islamic role model and a friend of the US? They even cover up selling essential components of nuclear weapons to rogue states for you.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50241-2005Mar19.html