Harmageddon
Member
Yes, and European monarchies are prime examples of the abuse of power by the elite hell, the Netherlands is known to have been a brutal colonial power. Those pages in history are mostly swept under the carpet however, and only the tales of bravery are commemorated.Originally posted by CSM:
In some cultures, he would be king! Yes that is a rather obtuse reference to European monarchies.
Of course they are also accountable for the present world-situation. Although to me it seems to a lesser extent. When the Netherlands occupied Indonesia, it was not as if the king of Indonesia had much of a choice he was executed, and a puppet was bought to rule the country in our name. It just wasnt a fair fight.Originally posted by CSM:
It takes two to have a fight. What empowers the populations of the Muslim countries in the Middle East? How are their leaders held accountable? It seems to me the Arab leaders have some responsibility in the world situation.
The same is happening in Lebanon the current president is told that he should have disarmed Hezbollah and the fact that he didnt is presented as an invitation for invasion by Israel. Fact is the guy has no power over Hezbollah at all. Hezbollah is the group that came into existence after Israel invaded Lebanon the last time around, and they kept on fighting their primitive war until Israel departed. Thus Hezbollah became the symbol of the fight against foreign occupation and with a reputation like that, it was impossible for the president to take them out of power. The people would simply have rebelled and displaced the president instead. Hezbollah only started firing their croquettes this time after Israel invaded the Gaza strip.
Yes, Saudi royalty are not the most honest people you could have as friends, and Aghmed Zinidine Jihad of Iran is no different. You know I despise Saddam (as should be obvious) yet he was a perfect stooge for American interests as long as he came in handy. He could torture his people to his hearts desires, as long as he kept obeying orders from Washington whenever Iran needed to be pushed around. Only when Saddam overstepped his freedom to act and decided to invade Kuwait (which he at first received approval for by Bush senior) he was considered a threat.Originally posted by CSM:
I sincerely hope that your disdain extends to the Muslim leaders with as much (or more) vitrol.
The invasion was not about 9/11, and least of all about concerns for the suffering Iraqis. It was about Saddams will to do as he was told. Once he refused orders, the game was over. Game set match. Did Saddam stand a chance? No of course not.
I would think so. I believe the Western powers (first Europe, now America) have had their reign its time to step down from our self-proclaimed greatness and treat others with the same courtesy that we display to fellow westerners. Im saying we should maintain our cultures, as they are as varied as impressive, yet we should show our greatness by being courteous instead of constantly falling back to our colonizing roots.Originally posted by CSM:
Your opinion is noted....
Blaming only the US leadership is rather shortsighted.
I think the world has seen enough western style cruelty for now. We should remain vigilant as others may try to have their go at world-domination. I do not intend to become Chinese. I believe we capture more hearts and minds with honey than with vinegar. Show them our greatness by showing them our cultural achievements and compassion with the weak. Take the entire continent of Africa for example, still torn apart by Europes colonizing adventures. Is the Middle East destined to go the same way?
I think they will accept the west as a beacon of progress more this way, than the current option: we start bombing the crap out of their infrastructure, killing indiscriminately since bombs cannot flow around kids and demanding some respect for the west.
Time and time again, that has shown to create only hatred,
not sympathy, nor awe.