Originally posted by ianpickeringHmm, now what are driving at here? Now let me guess...
Is it ever justified to detain people indefinately without charge or a trial and with no access to lawyers or family visists? If so - in what circumstances?
But no, it's never justified. Never, ever, ever, but particularly not when evil people are threatening the democratic world, because that's when freedom and democracy and basic human rights most need protecting.
Rich.
Seriously Ian, this is getting a bit embarassing. It is quite clear to what you are referring, the prisoners in Guantanamo bay. Yes, the current American administration leaves a lot to be desired, quite frankly, so does the British. Yes, some American sports leave me cold, but does cricket get a worldwide acceptance? Yes, America is the fattest nation on earth, Britain is catching FAST. Yes, Americans are different to us, wouldn't it be dull if they weren't? Please leave it now. A couple of these threads would have been fine, political debate is a wonderful thing, but you are picking on the worse sides to America, simply to incite vitriolic responses from our American friends so you may feel pleased at provoking them. It is easy and very British to poke fun at America, but please stop now before you alienate the RHP'ers from the other side of the pond. Let's open up the floor to discuss things that are wrong in the whole world, the suppression of the East Timorese by the Indonesian government, the still ongoing conflict in Cyprus, possible ways to allow the middle East to live in peace, the solution to the Northern Ireland problem, starvation and the AIDS epidemic in Africa where, at current rates will infect 3/5 of Africa in 30 years time, the degradation of relations between Pakistan and India (possibly the direst of these situation as both sides now have the nuke, on unreliable chains of command), the threats to our environment that will make the planet basically unliveable in 300 years. Any thoughts on these problems that don't include blaming America?
I'm sorry to ramble for so long but the number of these threads is getting ridiculous. I can't remember the word I'm thinking of now, but I read it in some FHM-type magazine, it refers to someone who slings mud on an internet chatroom safe in the knowledge that he will never have to deal with the consequences of his actions. oh well.
Gary.
Originally posted by garyminfordOk. Am I that easy to see through? Clearly some people don't understand our culture of 'banter' - although many of my points were made in all seriousness.
Seriously Ian, this is getting a bit embarassing. It is quite clear to what you are referring, the prisoners in Guantanamo bay. Yes, the current American administration leaves a lot to be desired, quite frankly, so does the British. Yes, some American sports leave me cold, but does cricket get a worldwide acceptance? Yes, America is the fattest nation on ...[text shortened]... knowledge that he will never have to deal with the consequences of his actions. oh well.
Gary.
The suppression of the East Timorese by the Indonesian government - clearly bang out of order. Just read about it on /www.sfu.ca/~rdr/silence.html
Really quite shocking.
Cyprus - Think there will be a solution in the long term. US working for a settlement (Well done there!) and the Turkish part of the isleland will eventually see that agreement will allow them to join the EU with the attendant economic benefits.
Middle East - I have already said what I think on this one.
Northern Ireland - The longer the ceasefire holds the more chance there is that trust and understanding will develop between the communities. The amnesty given to the terrorists on both sides is (probably) a necessary evil - I hate it - and the violence has not gone away (punishment beatings, shootings and the change in role to gangsters), but i'm sure that the situation is better than it was. Will it flare up again? Who knows. But the longer it goes the less chance I think.
Aids - We must (the west) subsidise the drugs needed so that it is in the drug companies interests to provide them.
Starvation - Support sustainable development programmes. Be prepared to pay a fair market price for third world natural resources (will never happen). Declare a 'War on Starvation' and put resources into it.
The Environment - Have posted on that.
India and Pakistan - Cross our fingers and hope that nobody would be that stupid. Clearly our fault (wot? Not America?). We could refuse to play them at cricket until they sorted themselves out. A tricky one.
Tried my best here not to be antagonistic.
The following is not meant to be anti American (I've heard a different version which was about David Beckham)
His closest advisors came to visit Dubya at the White House one evening and found him slamming down beers and whooping it up. They were astonished since he had given up drinking years ago. When asked why he was off the wagon, Dubya replied that he was celebrating finishing a jigsaw puzzle. They smiled and told him that wasn't much of an accomplishment. "Ah, but you're wrong. I did it in record time." When asked what that record was, he replied that he had finished it after only 6 months. Again, they told him that wasn't that great. "Oh yeah?" said the commander in chief, "Well the box says 3-5 YEARS!"
And to be even handed............
A guy dies and goes to heaven. His tour guide starts to show him around the whole place; the tennis courts, the main lobby , when they come upon a room full of clocks.Some are going fast, some slow and some normal. " What's with all the clocks?" the guy asks his tour guide. " each clock is for each person on earth. Every time they tell a lie, their clock goes faster," he said.Well that makes sense the guy thought to himself. just then he noticed a clock on the ceiling going tremendously fast , and much faster than all the others. " what's that?" the guy said pointing to the ceiling. " Oh, that's bill Clinton's clock. We use it as a fan."
Monica Lewinskey went to the plastic surgeon and said, "Doc, all the magazine articles and newspaper articles say I'm fat. You think you can help me?" The surgeon said, "I think I can help you but first you have to take off all your clothes." Monica agreed and th doctor came up with a diagnosis. "I think I know what's wrong, you look good except for those love handles." "what's wrong with my ears?!"