Leave the Dutch out of this, you imperial bastard!
Oh, you’re a Canuck. Never mind then 
In fairness, you do have a point. It is hypocritical (is that the word?) to blame corporations for labour situations in foreign countries where they just happen to own a production facility. As long as they’re complying with local laws and international human rights treaties, they are under no obligation to pay a guy that stitches footballs together the same wages that a doctor would earn in that country. Basic economics, and in a lot of cases a win-win situation (if you’ll forgive me the yuppy-ish term), because the local companies often offer poorer working conditions.
As for the OP. Rosie. Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. My goodness, how I had plans to tear you apart and make you look like the dumbass you are, after reading that OP. But gradually progressing down the thread, I became more and more convinced that I could never make you look like a bigger fool than you already made yourself look. I’m just happy to be in the know that it is YOU who has to live with that fucked up view of international politics and the US role in it, and not me.
I SO wanted to tell you about all the recognition that US Vets still get here in Europe for their efforts in the liberation. Adding to that, the attitude of gratitude that prevails when it comes to US economical aid following WWII (which, contrary to your statements, wasn’t primarily aimed at Germany. For obvious reasons, I’d say :rolleyes:). But then I realised that the Marshall Plan was thought up and implemented by people with a humanity so alien to your thought processes, that my mentioning it wouldn’t matter anyway.
I doubt if you even know who Marshall was.
I’m glad to see so many Americans who ARE able to put things into the right perspective. The US has done many great things in terms of international military operations. Of course, in these days it’s usually under the UN flag in which case I tend to think of it as a unified international army rather than separate national ones (I know, there’s always local political hassle over the allocation of troups etc., but I’m talking in principal here).
The US has also been involved in some downright despicable incidents within the last 100 years. Is this strange? Of course it isn’t. The US has been one of the main world powers over the last century, rising to that position in the centuries preceding it. We only need to look at any European country that became a major world power a few hundred years ago. Newly gained power corrupts the vision of a nation and its decision makers. My own country was almost solely responsible for all slave transports to the New World throughout the 16th century. We exploited our colonies throughout the world, like South Africa and Indonesia, with no respect for the locals or their traditions and property. Religions or governments that opposed ours where dealt with with brute force.
It is all in history now, and we as a nation have learned from it. So has the USA over the last 100 years. Vietnam is of course the closest to my Golden Age analogy above. It is all about learning not to misuse an immense power and influence. I’m sure a second Vietnam would not happen now.
The above may sound somewhat incoherent, but I do hope I make some sense to those with an open mind. In any case, no disrespect is intended to the US. Although I’m sure Rosie will find some anyway.
Was the bombing of the Cole a terrorist act? Yes.
Is retaliation the answer? Fuck no.
For a clear picture of what retaliation leads to, turn on your TV and tune into CNN. I’m sure there’s an item on Israel pretty soon.
