23 March 2007
A Question For You
So, without any discussion of my own personal feelings either way, I just have a question. I'm trying to learn about American politics etc. so I try to watch the news and news conferences and things like that. The other day, Bush held a press conference to mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq and one of the things that he said was that we had to continue to push forward because this war was winnable. As I understand it, we are in Iraq to try to help them achieve democracy but that isn't a win or no-win situation really, so when Bush says that we can 'win' what would we be winning? What would have to happen for the government to feel that we had 'won'. I'm honestly asking here, I want to understand.
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Pretty much the total opposite of what it's like there now? A stable, non-corrupt government accepted by most of the people. No civil war. Infrastructure rebuilt. World peace. End to world hunger. Cats and dogs living together.
*nods*
And, quoting Bill Murray is always a good way to cheer me up.
And I also think he's referring to the "War on Terror" which is also unwinnable (nice word).
Ugh, I hate politics and most politicians don't make that situation much better. I'm no longer convinced we have a winnable situation, whether if you're talking about the war or the so called "war on terror" so I'm no help. I like Cabol's ideal, tho. Just don't think it's possible.
omg, i just made one of my most hated mistakes! my cube neighbor NEVER says IDEA, it's always IDEAL and it pissed me off, and I just did it!! ahahhahahahah save me.
And yes, she says, That's a great ideal, when I ask if she's ready to order lunch, or some other equally inane thing. I hate it. ack!
Poor Ganya, that would drive me crazy.
And, okay, I see what you guys are saying re. the war on terror more than the war itself. I still find it kind of baffling though because this area of the world has been in turmoil for thousands (right?) of years so how are we going to 'fix it'? I'm still not quite sure what we think we can do to change something that has been going on for that long.
But, then, I am only the utmost layperson in this situation, I don't claim to have the knowledge of the situation that I should.
I think most of us don't think the US can do anything to make things right.
I think there's this belief by some Americans that the USA is the best country in the world, with a fabulous form of government, and if everyone adopted democracy (though we're really a republic, but that's getting technical), then there'd be world peace and cooperation.
One of the biggest lessons I learned living abroad, is that you really do (naively and subconsciously) believe your/your country's way of doing things are the RIGHT way, and everyone else is wrong (sure, there are exceptions), and it can be very hard to accept that something "different" still actually works out okay for them.
Nothing's working out for Iraq though, or poor Afghanistan.
*nodnod* I get irritated by how many times a day I hear Americans say 'this is the best country in the world. Woo!' America is a great country, and I'm thrilled to be living here. But, you know what, Canada is a great country too and so are a lot of other countries. I think that we can be patriotic about our home and native land (wherever it may be) and love it unconditionally without saying that it is the best country ever in the history of the world.
...because that gives other countries the impression that, since ours is the best, theirs is somehow subpar.
It's quite simple... "Win" = "One World Government", New World Order, Illuminati, whatever you wish to call it. We win when the Skulls, Council on Foreign Affairs, or whichever group of elitists you think are behind it all run everything. One world currency...one world religion. So that's what happens when we "win". Do you really want to win?
A quote that I read about 5 months ago, just as I got into Australia, is appropriate right now, and I trot this old chestnut out whenever someone tells me that their country is better than [Insert Other Country Here] :
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it." - George Bernard Shaw
I would hasten to add the word "arrogant" before conviction as well.
Scared in Atlanta...I'm scared in Atlanta that I'm about to marry you!
And Kev, I thought that was very apt. APT!
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