Brian and Vajradhara explain US and UK actions?!

[I, Brian]

Postmaster, I agree - thw Wikipedia isn't always reliable, which is why I've tried to open up the sources as referred to.

All I see above is general accusations those - the UK started the Nicosian riots did they? Okay, you'll have to cite a source justifying that if you want me to take that seriously.

But as before, it seems that the Greek Cyrpiots are happy to blame everyone else for their misfortunes, never themselves. I supposed EOKA was a British conspiracy, too?

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

I'm with Brian. Although I may not usually be the most pro Bush'n'Blair person in the world, I must ask for proof if you accuse my country of such massive injustices.

[Postmaster]

Well it's likely I could be wrong, the UK and the US are the greatest countries in the world, where would we be without these great civilisations of freedom and democracy? Maybe I got off the rails a bit here because greater countries are always up for criticism and conspiracies.

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

So now that your rational argument falls down you resort to sarcasm?

[Postmaster]

Nope not sarcasm I agree that I was wrong, the reason for arguments is to convince someone who is right? I'm not trying to be a trouble maker, I have nothing to be a shamed of by looking for truth? I was irrational, glad people put me in my place, thank you.

[alexa]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Maybe I got off the rails a bit here because greater countries are always up for criticism and conspiracies.

Well, I don't know about that. If all cypriots think like you, hmm ...

You should really travel one day in UK and USA, PM. You'll be surprised to see how people live in those great countries.

[I, Brian]

I think it's possibly a relevant generalisation to say that all governments have moral flaws they can be criticised for.

However, those governments with most reach and influence, therefore show their flaws to more people.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Well it's likely I could be wrong, the UK and the US are the greatest countries in the world, where would we be without these great civilisations of freedom and democracy? Maybe I got off the rails a bit here because greater countries are always up for criticism and conspiracies.

After WW I, the United State tried to go back to its own shores, and mind its own business (Isolationism was the concept). However, the US was harshly criticized for this philosophy by the rest of the world. The US did manage (more or less), to remain out of the affairs of most of the world for about 20 years.

WW II put an end to that, because that is when it became very personal to the nation at large. After WW II, the rise and aggression of the Soviet Union, prevented the US from returning back to its borders.

Now with the conversion of Russia and its republics to more or less democratic principles, new threats have prevented the US from going back to our own business.

Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

While the US is being told to "get out of the Middle East", in the same breath it is being scolded for not getting more directly involved in Africa, and South America.

v/r

Q

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I think it's possibly a relevant generalisation to say that all governments have moral flaws they can be criticised for.

However, those governments with most reach and influence, therefore show their flaws to more people.

Nicely said.

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

While the US is being told to "get out of the Middle East", in the same breath it is being scolded for not getting more directly involved in Africa, and South America.

My opinion on this state of affairs has always been that what happened in Iraq did have some good consequenses, Saddam was an evil man and needed to be removed from power. However, it would be nice if powerful western governments (not just the US) would show similar concern for countries with no oil.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

My opinion on this state of affairs has always been that what happened in Iraq did have some good consequenses, Saddam was an evil man and needed to be removed from power. However, it would be nice if powerful western governments (not just the US) would show similar concern for countries with no oil.

Greetings,

Good point. With that I direct you to US Bureau of Affairs (I think it is called that), which shows where tax payers' dollars go (for the most part). You might be surprised to find that the US provides the most funding of any nation on earth, for charitable and rebuild/reclamation issues in Africa (just for starters). In fact you might be surprised that the US provides the most in such funding world wide, of any nation, and in fact of several dozen nations combined contributions.

Are there strings attached? Of course. What nation doesn't put clauses on how their contributions shall be spent. To do otherwise would be foolish I suspect.

Point is that the US does it's share and more of looking out for others, in a constructive way. And that my friend is only the official tax funding side of the house. Private contributions, out strip even the government (as it should be).

Put it this way, if the total charitable contribution from the US was broken down to percentage per US family, it runs about 10% of gross annual earnings are contributed to charitable causes world wide. (pretty close to biblical mandates about tything).

Bureau of Statistics...(sorry).

v/r

Q

[Vajradhara]

Namaste all,


goodness... here i am having missed this thread altogether!

i'll read it and see if there is a question pending for me to address

metta,

~v

[Vajradhara]

ok... no questions pending for me...


metta,

~v

[wil]

I'm doin da bump...