Let's see now....
In 1812 we declared war with Britain, we invaded Canada, that didn't work out, we learned never invade a country stronger than yourself.

In 1845 we invaded Mexico and got California and Arizona, Utah and Colorado as a reward...Texas had allready broken away in 1836.

in 1898 the USA trumped up going to war with Spain..."Remember the Maine" That was a media driven war....Hearst and Yellow Journalism.....Geraldo Rivria where were you? In that war we got Pureto Rico, Cuba and the Philipphines.

In 1903 the USA created a rebellion against Columbia the out come was a new country called Panama.....and the USA built the canal, which we controled on till President Carter gave it away....and then Bush the 1st reinvaded the place in 1989.

In the early 1950's we overthrew the elected government in Iran, and Nicuragua, and in the 1960's had Ngo Van Diem in S Vietnam assinated, in the 1970's we had President Allende in Chili assinated and the government overthrown.

It seems like invading and taking over places is nothing new for the USA.....and I forgot all about the noble Indians....and what they think a Treaty with the Great White Father in Washington is worth.

I agree with island911 on the burning of the opium fields. Although I am for an end on the war on drugs (never done illegal drugs in my life), it is still against the law in the United States.

Yeah, "War" on drugs . . . I always wondered how you can have a war on a thing.

I've also wondered if pharmaceutical companies have bumper-stickers, and such, like; "Merk - A Drug free company"

People could call me what they want, but it doesn't bother me (I'm an arse, and proud of it), or the arguments I make.

The biggest issue about the freedoms as previously mentioned reltates to the post earlier about bringing Mickey Mouse, McDonalds, etc. to the rest of the world.

For some reason we think our country is the best and must share it with everyone. If someone doesn't like it or their culture is different, we attack them and their beliefs, and force our ways on them. It goes not only for culture, but legal and religious ideals as well.

Women in their society are considered less than men. We don't believe that. I don't believe that. Half the world does though because of RELIGIOUS reasons. To attack that principal from our point of view is not a religious fight, but to them it is.

Once you start attacking a persons religion, expect reprocussions. You can never 'educate' someone out of their religion. To think we can move into the middle east and bring our laws which match our predominate religion and force it to match theirs as well is an attack on their religion, their culture, and their identity as a people. It will never work, it will only cause more war.

Think if it went the other way and some other large country came here and did the same. Think about the amount of dissent and fighting there would be.

Besides, countries we like (i.e. Japan, S Korea, India, etc.) all have the same view and no one bothers them about it. You can BUY women to OWN in some of those countries. Many US groups bring this up all the time, hell Oprah did a show last year about it. Our government didn't care. But when there is 'something else' involved (i.e. oil, water, etc) we all of a sudden need to 'liberate' these people from their ways.

Guess what, these people have been this way for centuries, and they are still here. They like their ways. If they didn't, they would move or rebel.

As previously mentioned, is it still considered the 'American Dream' we have to attack a country, kill them, beat them down, and force them to accept it?

Oh, and as far as name calling, I found a great toon today that is very relvant...

http://www.markfiore.com/animation/dissent.html

Enjoy...

-S

The USA is the merchant to the world.....we sell our ideas and culture......our entertainment is one of our biggest exports...

I think U get it Sterne and U don't......the USA uses money far more than military force to get it's way...the great corruptor is Mickey Mouse..... the great power of American Imperialism is Mickey Mouse....his influence on the world is staggering eg American Based Business.

Now the conclusion U need to draw for yourself is just how desperate of a struggle this is going to be.....is Mickey going to win...and if he doesn't win what does it mean for U and your family..then you need to decide which side U want to be on?

I own houses in Europe. I choose to be on the morally correct side (moral by my own personal standards).

If Mickey doesn't win, I'm not too worried. I'll move overseas.

Everyone thinks you must be into American culture or against it. Half of Europe doesn't have any American influence and it gets by just fine. I'm not sold on the fact we must 'Americanize' the middle east to survive.

Although I don't agree we must do that to survive, I do believe others think its true and are actively working towards that goal. I myself am against it. I like the diversity of visiting places abroad and enjoying other peoples culture.

Places to visit: Ireland. Why? Only ONE McDonalds on the island. They wouldn't let them have any more than that. They can't advertise, nor can they put up big arches or any sign other than a simple name on a plaque.

The best part - it's always empty when you go by there while other Irish fast food chain resturants are always full in the same area.

"Half of Europe doesn't have any American influence and it gets by just fine."
Which half is that?

Again don't you think that if the Titanic economy of the USA goes down, it will drag the rest with it? Everything is so interelated economically...that a domino effect would take place.... To think otherwise is naive. In other words there is no safe place to run and hide. I'll requote the Shadow Mininister of Defense for the UK in his speech to the House of Commons....."Since WW2 the USA has guarnteed global security, if the USA fails to act or fails in it's actions then Global security will fail." Let that sink in, that means the world will fall over the edge into chaos, and with that economic collapse, meaning a world wide depression of indeterminate length.

Also what makes U think that Islam wouldn't come knocking on the gates of Vienna again?

OT in OT
 

Oh Thank God! :)
I always wondered why everyone eats there? Now I understand that because I'm Irish, It's natural that I hate it. Rottin' Ronnie stay home!

(Although I do tip my hate to the Kroc Families awesome charity support ;) )

Like it or not but the world is slowly turning into one "island". Europe finally started down that path with the EU. Countries that steadfastly refuse to associate with others (due to religious or cultural perceptions) are doomed to remain in the stone age and will continue to blame others for their plight. The concern a "war hawk" like myself has is how well some of our new "neighbors" are going to adjust to having "infidels" with women in the work force and running water in our 2500 sq/ft homes. If the last 20 years are any indication I think we need to be proactive in security rather than sit around waiting for another round of coward zealots to hit us from behind and then run and hide behind their women's skirts.

Ireland has far more appealing attractions than you give credit. I realize you were being sarcastic but after having been there and also living in England and visiting Scotland a country does not lose its identity with a McDonalds (or KFC, Pizza Hut) on the corner. Its all about demand, if the people go, the store makes money and perhaps stays open and expands. Taste has nothing to do with it...Big Mac's suck. Now if they open a In-n-Out burger!

Finally, anyone who thinks the current world economic/social/political structure will persist with the demise of the U.S. please take a number and get behind Sternn.

Actually I wasn't being sarcastic. I love Ireland. If this country continues to demise, I'll be hopping the first boat (notice I am not taking a flight), back to my place in Belfast!

-S

Well I'm glad the world is finally turning, and seeing things my way.
. . .oh. . . .never mind. http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/lol2.gif

One Island indivisible under Gawd......nope can't say that word any more......ahhhh.........Tabs... yeah that it.........under Tabs.....

Two days ago, a young man was arrested in an upstate New York mall for wearing a "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE" t-shirt (which he bought in the mall itself). Echoes of Orwell...

Man. What is happening in this country? Whatever happened to freedom of speech? And these are the freedoms some of you are willing to fight and die for? What freedoms? I would be willing to say that the US is less "free" now than it has been since the 1950s...

Pretty soon any book that contains an anti-war message will be banned. SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE, CATCH-22, FARENHEIT 451 bye-bye. So long, Orwell, Chomsky, and Zimm.

Do you have a link to that story? I'm thinking the guy was arrested for something other than wearing the shirt. "I decided to leave right after they threw me out".

September 11, U.S.S. Cole, Embassy bombings, night clubs world wide, Oaklahoma, Mogadishu, etc... In a way the terrorists have already won the only battle they could hope to achieve victory in. Our many freedoms that we have enjoyed are giving way to more security and control.

The time has come to stand up and act like the world power we are. With us or against us, we shouldn't care, we were attacked on our soil. Protecting our people (where ever they might be), our country (and its allies), and our way of life is the burden the leaders of this country must carry. If we lose the heart to continue our fight then we might as well lie down now and have the enemy read us a bedtime story. For surely if we fail the world will not benefit.

CJ - Funny thing about that story, the guy wasn't just some random joe, he is head of the Judicial Conduct board in New York State. A high ranking judge/lawyer. The prosecuters office is freaking out, since this case fell in their lap.

There is an article on MSNBC about it - you can find a link on my site.

Plus, hundreds of demonstators turned out yesterday and today walking the mall in their PEACE shirts, and a few national groups have started letter writing/fax campaigns that have filled the lines to the company the owns the mall.

-S

"Two days ago, a young man was arrested in an upstate New York mall for wearing a "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE" t-shirt (which he bought in the mall itself). Echoes of Orwell... "

A little correction is needed here. Not that I agree with what happened, but the man was arrested for trespassing, because he was asked to leave private property and refused. He was not arrested for wearing a T-shirt. It was a stupid descision by a low level Macy's manager and a security guard, and has nothing to do with any crack down on civil liberties. The courts long ago decided that shopping malls are not public spaces, but rather private property.

Your half right, as was the security guard.

He was asked to leave because of the t-shirt, he was arrested though for tresspassing. After refusing to remove the t-shirt they asked him to leave, which is when he was arrested.

The security guard did try to make the same analogy, of the mall being like a persons home and that you must leave when asked, however, that is only partially true.

Malls, shops, stores, etc. do have the right to refuse service, but only for certain reasons. Wearing a shirt 'could' be a reason, but only if it were offensive or had foul language on it. If they let malls and stores kick out anyone, you would see racism take off like it did back in the 40's and 50's.

Technically, the business can kick out anyone they want, but when it goes to court if they cannot backup their reasoning, they could face criminal and civil penalties.

The fact this man is a big fish in the NY legal system, I'm sure of a few things - first, he knew his rights and he knew the mall was out of line.

Second, if he decides to push this matter, he will win hands down.

For more details, check out the article done later with more information:

http://www.theaxisofevil.net/article.asp?id=489

-S

Smells like a set-up for an attention grab.

Even back in the 80's, if you walked though an airport with "BOMB" printed across a t-shirt, you wouldn't get too far.

If you even jokingly said "bomb" you would be detained and questioned. So where were the "free-speech" activists then? (rhetorical)

While I too am keeping a keen eye out for eroding freedoms, I also have sense enough to identify BS from people looking for 15 minutes of fame under the guise of oppression.

Yeah, that's it . . .those poor high ranking judge/lawyers. . .not knowing "the game" they're always getting trampled on. :rolleyes: