@F_alk:
@Ghoul:
Wow its been awhile, just got back for holidays….
Ok F_alk where is your proof that America is the only nation that spies on its allies?
And about your “American Dream” rant, have your arguments against me come down to you slamming my character?, taunts about grammar? Thats pretty weak on your behalf.
And, on top of all that, Im Canadian.
Maybe you should open your eyes and read before you type somthing and hand out insults.
You didn’t miss much, the site was down for about a week.
So, let’s have a look at America spying on allies (most links will lead to pages in german):
On the 7th of march 2000, James Woolsey, former CIA-boss, admitted it (see: http://www.heise.de/tp/deutsch/special/ech/6663/1.html).
One of the tools possibly used is the Echolon system, which was not only active in Europe but also in Japan. (http://www.heise.de/tp/deutsch/special/ech/7985/1.html).
For allies spying on the USA, all i found was that Israel is being classified as an “A”-country by the US.
For you being Canadian, and me mistaking you for US american, i apologoize. For taunting your grammar: The use of this emoticon ;) usually indicates “not serious”. For slamming your character: in the section of my post about the american dream the “you” i used was the “plural” you, like in “you all”. If this wasn’t clear from what i wrote, i will try not to let that misunderstanding happen again.
You still didn’t answer my question: Why do the US still produce (even illegal) WMD and still research on (even illegal) ones?
F_alk, its all good.
Maybe I should be more carful when I’m reading posts before I start jumping on someone.
As for the spying, your link did not work.
Its not that I think the US ISN’T spying on allies, I just belive they are not the only ones. I don’t look at them as the big bad guys.
I’m not sure I know what’s consider illegal in reguards to WMD.
I think chemical warheads are illegal, after that I don’t know.
The US, as far as I know it, has cut back their arsenal of WMD.
I don’t have a problem with US still making them though.
Maybe not illegal ones.
As a Canadian, I have nothing but thanks for the USA.
Canada would be up shits creek without the way the US handles itself.
We, as a country, have almost no military.
The US is are our defence.
I think back to 9/11 and if those planes hit in Canada, our Prime minister would have apologized.
Someone has to put their foot down…hard.
And, had it been the case that those planes hit Canada, who do you think would have been the first nation at our side…Thats right…The United States of America, demanded justice.
Our reation to 9/11, from our political leaders, was brutally embarrassing.
Anyhow, enough ranting.
I found a post from another forum that has an American’s take on the US and and their stand on foreign iusse that relate to the Iraq situation.
Its pretty good.
Quote
There is a genuine hypocrisy about Ameican foreign policy. We demand other nations subscribe to the UN resolutions, but maintain our veto, and refuse to accept constraints on our own actions. We want to avoid being the “world’s policeman”, but don’t want rival military buildup elsewhere. We promote democracy, but only if it votes our way. We want others to have the same rights we demand for ourselves, but only to insure our own citizens keep the priviledges they expect at home. We don’t meddle in other countries’ civil affairs, unless our economic interests are threatened. We demand human rights, just so long as it doesn’t cost us too much.
The U.S. has become the economic equivalent of the Borg. “We are Corp. Lower your tariffs and prepare to be acquired. Your existence as you have known it ends. We will add your economic and material resources to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.”
Now, I’m no pacifist. I love a good explosion as much as the next guy. But, there’s no wool being pulled over my eyes. The middle east is about oil, plain and simple. If we wanted to show some moral superiority, it would NOT be to bomb the hell out of stone age characters, or scare everyone here into surrendering their civil rights. Maybe, just maybe, it would involve something like, oh, charity - giving not just bread to make them dependent, but the technology to become independent.
I’m more than happy to continue this, but, I agree, not here. Maybe we should start another thread on the topic elsewhere.
One last thought: imagine that civil rights flared up again like in the 60’s, and riots started throughout the country. Perhaps even military intervention to quell rebellious militia, or martial law. Wouldn’t it be interesting if the UN sanctioned the US, until it restored basic liberties, perhaps even suggesting an international peacekeeping force? Should WE be allowed to have a civil war, when we don’t think anyone else should?
End Quote
Not that I totally agree…however, it
made me think twice about my stance on Iraq.
