Thanks for all the fun, USA, we'll take over from here...

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Pongo
japan intact? are you serios?

My apologies for being unclear and asking ignorant and inflammatory questions.

I wonder what parallels exist between post-WWII Japan and post-Hussein Iraq. I suspect that the differences outweigh the similarities, but I could very well be wrong. Maybe some of the experts around here can lend insight.

[uvwpvW]

Originally posted by Neubob
Actually, I'm waiting for red26 to show up and tell me that I, along with everyone else carrying a US passport, should enlist and give my country 2 years of military service before opening my big fat mouth. Seems that my being a contributing citizen and taxpayer haven't earned me jack **** as far as voicing opinions.

 Took a real revelation to understand that not every cause our leaders adopt is actually worth the sacrifice of young American lives. In fact, few causes are. There's nothing patriotic about someone who regurgitates the same old slogans, and is ready to vehemently and mindlessly support military action, and inevitably, the loss of servicemen, at the drop of a hat.

I told you to stop making so much sense! It's downright anti-American of you!


<>

[Hangtime]

Originally posted by Neubob
Actually, I'm waiting for red26 to show up and tell me that I, along with everyone else carrying a US passport, should enlist and give my country 2 years of military service before opening my big fat mouth. Seems that my being a contributing citizen and taxpayer haven't earned me jack **** as far as voicing opinions.

 Took a real revelation to understand that not every cause our leaders adopt is actually worth the sacrifice of young American lives. In fact, few causes are. There's nothing patriotic about someone who regurgitates the same old slogans, and is ready to vehemently and mindlessly support military action, and inevitably, the loss of servicemen, at the drop of a hat.

Close. No cigar.

Lets clear up a little point of order.. you seem to laboring under the misconception that we have an elected government that does the bidding of the people. Most folks that have not served share that belief.. it's the data set programmed into yer skull from all those years spent in the governement school system.

If yah REALLY wanna see how corporate intrests control the government a short stint in service to the corporate shill, watching the greed, avarice and assinine political trashing about that gets yer buddies killed..

Well, suffice to say that surviving government service in 'wartime' and existing inside it during 'peacetime' gives a bit better perspective on how the game is rigged.

What's wrong with the american political system?

Go ahead.. you can say it...

"Corporate Control of the Government".

Once you serve, you know.

And, get this... only one in 10,000 americans currently serve. One in 10,000 knows the TRUTH.

Now, lets enjoy another little 'what if' scernario. Lets have every kid on his/her 18th birthday serve the corrupt system for 2 years.. military service is not required.. just service. State, town, village.. yer kid gets a real job, gets real pay and learns about how the system works. Gets to see the whole mindbending screwed-up corrupt system firsthand without a media filter. Nothin like first hand experience in a cesspool to convince yah that **** stinks.

I suspect that such a system would effect a rapid and positive shift in the political landscape, and I also suspect it would be the end of corporate government... because the 'average voter' would know just how utterly critical a REAL representitive local government is to the saftey, security and welfare of it's citizens is.

Cheers!

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Hangtime

Go ahead.. you can say it...

"Corporate Control of the Government".

Can I get an amen?

[dmf]

I thought big corporations already controled the government?

[Neubob]

Originally posted by Hangtime
Most folks that have not served share that belief.. it's the data set programmed into yer skull from all those years spent in the governement school system.

Please don't leap to judge, Hangtime. I think that the general theme of my recent posts was how this government is acting irrationally, and how this irrationality is becoming more and more pronounced every day.

I didn't go to a government school, nor did I ever imagine, in my wildest dreams, that the goals of this administration, or any other, had anything to do with my personal interests. In theory, it should, but theory is theory and reality is, well, depressing. Bush's actions don't surprise me, and I've never cast a vote because I thought somebody was going to be 'exactly what we need'. I've cast votes based on who was going to cause me, my family, less rather than more harm. Whatever support I had for Bush was based largely, perhaps solely, on the Republicans' traditional tax policies. The absurdity of this adminstration's current course of action, however, is overshadowing whatever benefits I saw in voting for GW in the first place.

As for government service, last time I spent three hours waiting for a driver's license renewal, the prevailing thoughts in my mind didn't include, 'gee, if anyone knows what's really going on, it's these hard-working souls'.

I do understand where you're coming from. Many people could use a some first-hand experience to get a much-needed reality check. Many people that do serve the government, however, in whatever way, military or other, remain just as ignorant as they were. Sometimes, they get worse.

[Holden McGroin]

Just a thought...

The reason Columbus sailed west to get to the east was to get to the riches of the east without having to deal with Arab traders.