History

[woodface]

allisnow posted this on her lj. It saddens me. I'm no specialist on the interbellum but this is sounding very familiar.

The quote shows a complete lack of history. The mess was created by the US in the first place.

And yes, let's abandon the UN. Very good suggestion. Leaves us right before WWII when the League of Nations fell to pieces because US didn't want to take a roll in it.

Frightening what a complete lack of history can do to the world.

Comments

[mylo1012.livejournal.com]

to me its all about perspective, we come from little countries that will never declare a war on any country ,we have no world power we do what we do by what we think is right,we have a very different culture then the US ,we grow up with a different look on the US

when we have elections there is so much less emotion ,i have never seen any excitement with our elections (other then dutch voted electing a dead guy and belgium voters voting vlaams blok (or what ever the name will be after the courts ruling;))

i dont get sad about quotes made by others since they are just the opinion of someone else ,someone who doesnt live in my country or live by rules that are made by my governement

i do see alot of "jij-backen" by some americans that have emotion when it comes to politics ,i guess it goes with the culture ,to me its not wrong or right its just perspective

i wouldnt trade my country for any country in the world ,not because i was born and raised here ,but just because this is my culture ,americans have the same ,the country is never wrong to some ,problem is if belgium or holland screws up no one noticed or cares or even hears about it ,when the US does its world news

before this turns into a small novel that has totaly nothing to do with your entery (i am getting good at drifting off the topic): perspective is the key word (imo)

[lytarules.livejournal.com]

What bothers me is the way the people who oppose Bush keep getting blasted as unpatriotic, when to me dissent, (and the right to dissent,) is the most American thing of all, or it used to be...

That's not on topic, but the attitude of some people that might makes right bothers plenty of Americans, too. Bush seems to believe firmly in American Imperialism, which is jaw-dropping to those of us who think that's over 100 years out-of-date. He also believes in the right of the upper class to rule the lower, all according to who has the money, and that's *very* anti-American to me. His popularity is baffling. *prays for Kerry*

[lisayaeger.livejournal.com]

His popularity is baffling.

It's scary. And while he wasn't actually elected the first time, if he is this time, it will be a sad statement for all of us.

[woodface]

The guy and his politics scare me. amilyn said that the situation in the US is reminding her of the interbellum, something I can not really judge from here. It was while discussing the League of Nations earlier today with Robert and then suddenly seeing these anti-UN remarks that things started to connect. I really don't like the resemblance.

I frankly don't understand how anyone can support him. Perhaps Kerry isn't the best candidate to run against him but Bush... Ack. If he'll have his way, he'll be standing in Iran next and instead of fighting terrorism like he claims, he's creating new bases for it.

[woodface]

Okay, what is "jij-backen"?

Sadly enough, I think such talk has a lot more undercurrent. It is based on something and is an attitude that if supported by more people (and they will try to do this in response to Kofi Annan's declaration) can be dangerous. US has already shown that they have no respect UN.

And sure, they get critised because they are doing things world wide but if they can't handle it, they shouldn't start doing things worldwide.

Lastly, I wouldn't want to be anything else but a belgian. *g*

[woodface]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm afraid of. It also worries me that this will just set a precedent for the future and even for other countries.

[woodface]

So I think UN should bitchslap Bush *g*

[woodface]

Yeah but who's gonna take action? No one seems to have the guts. Belgium goes through its knees when they threaten to take NATO out of Brussels.

I'm not sure what UN can do to reprimand them. I do hope they stick to their guns and not send soldiers to Iraq. Of course, that is more punishing the people there than the US.

[woodface]

Ack lacking a sentence in my post. The Belgium thing was just an example as US seems to have some power everywhere.

[woodface]

Hmmmmm, China if you give them a few more decades. But they scare me more than the US does.

[woodface]

Or if Bush keeps playing the idiot, we'll get the muslim world to unite... Although I don't see that happening this week.

[mylo1012.livejournal.com]

jij backen : i am critical about someone (as in giving someone feedback) and the response is :yes, but you did .....(which is the jij backing part) so instead of listening to what the critical party has to say always having an anwer ready on what the critical party is doing wrong
its a dutch term (well semi dutch anyway)

US politics think they only have to answer to the US even when its concerned world issues ,this has been for aslong as i can remember ,its always some other country that is wrong ,never them

[jemster.livejournal.com]

Correct me on this if I'm wrong, but...

The UN, however, still has Sudan on the Human Rights Committee when they are commiting genocide. They have members who are so behind on their dues it's not even funny. Should we blow off the UN? No, but some serious reforms need to be in place before it can be effective.

Isn't the US is still the leader in humanitarian aide to other countries? I don't have the numbers handy (not that I looked them up anyway), but people always seem to focus on the bad and not the good things that we do. This saddens me greatly.

We are still an extemely young country and we are still feeling our way. We have gotten very powerful very fast, especially since the fall of the Soviet Union, and are wondering what the hell our role is. Of course, people who don't live here are more that willing to tell us, but I don't think they have a say. Let us Americans let our govermnment know, though our vote, how we feel.

I am proud, so damn proud to be an American it's not even funny and I know without a doubt that this is the only country for me. Unless you live here, and I'm sure it's the same way you feel about Belgium, you have no real idea.

That being said, the arrogance that is displayed by some people (not all) in this country is bothersome to me and we have to realize that we are in this world and not above it, but it is a two-way street and *everyone*, not just the US, needs to step up. I wonder just how many countries are willing to do that.

*doesn't hold breath*

[jemster.livejournal.com]

*wonders if lack of sleep messed up thought process and post sounded worse that intended*

Sorry if that sounded too harsh...*sigh*

I just get very passionate about my country...

[woodface]

Should we blow off the UN? No, but some serious reforms need to be in place before it can be effective.

That's what I said in my opinions meme.

We are still an extemely young country and we are still feeling our way. We have gotten very powerful very fast, especially since the fall of the Soviet Union, and are wondering what the hell our role is.

That's a poor excuse to ignore the UN.

it is a two-way street and *everyone*, not just the US, needs to step up.

Sure, but it's something the UN needs to decide, not the US.

[woodface]

Ah, never heard of that before but I get it.

And I agree on that. It's time they open their eyes though.

[woodface]

*pats*

[woodface]

Yeah, he seems to be oggling it. Iran has always been on his list, right after Iraq. Seems he is trying to get the UN to do inspections there as well. I keep wondering how long it will take until they all say they had enough.

[audrich.livejournal.com]

China if you give them a few more decades.

...a very astute comment, Jara, and I'm not even sure it will take decades...

And you made me think.
Damn you! *g*

[woodface]

...a very astute comment, Jara, and I'm not even sure it will take decades...

The chinese have time. They don't want everything now but are slowly making plans. They took in Tibet and are slowly moving to take Nepal (and India?) too. They're giving buildings and roads to Nepal and after the murder on the monarchy there, chinese rebels have been raking havoc.

And you made me think. Damn you! *g*

I'm evil *g*

[woodface]

I don't think North Korea has any significance. They might if they become bodies with China.

China would be scary because I think there would be a die for the country attitude that is more intense than ours.

Among others. They plan things carefully beforehand. They don't think of right now but of the future. So their plans can take decades. They took Tibet and nobody said anything. They're planning on taking Nepal in much the same way. Maybe I'm extremely paranoid but I really do think that once China has caught up with the world and modernised everything, they will be a force to reckon with.