On Feb 21, 7:14 pm, "Robatoy" wrote:
A very complicated issue.

Truer words were never spoken. I sure as hell don't understand any of
it anymore.

Take a look at all the UN resolutions dealing with the Iraeli/
Palestinian issues.
The US gives Israel foreign aid, in spite of the violation of all those resolutions. Israel is a nuclear power, but not a member of the non-prolifiration treaties.

Another one I don't understand. I lost interest in the welfare of the
middle east when I saw them jumping for joy in the streets when shown
the planes crashing into the buildings on 9/11. Lost more interest
when I saw a Jewish leader saying (paraphrase) "well, maybe this will
get the US into the war against these people. This is how we have
been living for decades" He was only using it to further his own
cause. And in the case of the players in the middle east, we send aid
to almost all of them.


For me personally, I am tired of the USA's role in the world. Set
aside the middle east, and take a look at our other projects. Well
intentioned efforts have turned into open ********s with no bottoms.
I believe that we tried to do well with our aid programs, our food
programs, our scientific donations of expertise, and on an on. Yet,
the successes are so few that they can put them on in a season of the
Discovery channel. When we build a well to give fresh water to a
village in Africa, another opposing faction will come poison the
water, declaring a great victory. When we send vaccines to South
America, it is estimated that less than 20% actually reach the people
and are administered at no charge. The list of examples is huge. And
yet, not observing the laws of diminishing returns, we continue to
throw billions into those projects.

Why in the **** are we sending Hugo Chavez 600 million in aid (so far)
this year? Why? How retarded is our leadership? Remember, it takes
signatures to be able to send foreign aid. Bush didn't do that by
himself. But he didn't veto it either. Venezuela just nationalized
(stole) almost every single foreign company, bank, or farm in the
nation. I read that the large German bank down there lost several
hundred million alone when they did that. No one knows how much he
really stole in the name of taking back the country "for the people".
Yet in the case of the US, he didn't have to steal anything... we
wired the money straight to him.

I am increasingly liking a more isolationist attitude, one where we
fall in line with the other countries. When something goes terribly
wrong in a country, why should we respond? Many Americans are turning
more and more in this direction, I assure you. Kill a few thousand
Africans last month in a tribal bloodbath? Sorry to hear that. South
American death squads assasinate another political leader? Don't
recognize the name. Find a mass grave in Asia full of dissidents?
Sorry... couldn't see it from my house.

I would love to see our diplomats wring their hands in the U.N.,
demand answers, write scathing letters, deliver self righteous
speeches, and then go have a nice lunch with all the other involved
countries and talk about how cool diplomatic immunity is for them and
their staff. Play cards.. catch a movie... make happy hour. You
know, "institute a constructive dialogue" and "take small steps on the
road to resolution" of problems by talking them to death. When we are
pressed for help, we should take a troubled countenance, look
thoughtful, and promise our full attention and consideration... at a
later date.

We need a simplified approach to our foreign policy. I don't believe
that we should try to spread democracy to other countries either.
Most work well with dictators and despots, and although there is a lot
of whining from the oppressed, many feel that the countries actually
ran better under an iron heel. I don't believe we should be spilling
the blood of our soldiers to spread democracy to those that don't want
it and won't earn it. It is not a gift; it is not like installing a
new toilet. Once installed, it doesn't necessarily work. The price
is high, the choice of yes or no on democracy has always been there
for these ancient cultures, and if they don't want it, why should we
"give" it to them?

Anyway... starting to ramble... getting fired up... think
woodworking... woodworking...

Robert