Reality

[gjts00]

I wish that our world was perfect. I wish that people didn't feel the need to exploit & kill eachother. I wish that every day was sunny, partly cloudy, temperature in the mid 70's f. And all of the children of the world could smoke pot and listen to Led Zeppelin together in grassy fields...But (sigh), that's not the way the world works now is it? Here's something that history has taught me (especially the last century)...Wars can, at times, become quite prosperous ventures. Noramlly for the victors alone, but at other times ultimately for the losers as well (i.e. Germany & Japan since WWII). And, while I'd rather not see a situation that would grant prudence to conducting a war, we've got just that. As fuc*ed up as it sounds, the world could become a better place when it's all said and done. That is, if we don't nuke eachother into oblivion first. Man, opportunities can come from some very dubious places.

 

[G-Man]

The US has the power to make this a better world. Give Saddam and the Talibahn a knock out, and replace them with democracies. You catch three birds - No more terror attacks from these countries, important support from the gulf, and a rataliation. All in one.

 

[CornMaster]

Speaking on your prosperity bit:

My sister lives in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. She works at a donut shop that is near the airport in Gander. Gander is a smallish town (compared to US standards....but it's the 4th or 5th largest community in Newfoundland) of 11,000 people. Since Gander has the only International airport in Newfoundland, and it's closest to the Atlantic, dozens of planes were grounded there.

The problem??? 11,000 passangers are stranded in Gander with no food, clothes, or accomdiations. Which is causing an HUGE boost in the local enonomy. The stores and hotels can't keep up. So people are being put up in schools, and gyms all over the town. Tim Hortons (where my sister works) has been giving free food to the airport since the planes landed, causing lots of people, once they get out of the airport, to go to Tim Hortons to get something to eat (since it's close and now familar to them).

It's actually gotten so bad that the town in encourage people to make roasts, sandwiches, juices and carry them to the airport for the people.

Now Gander only has 1 runway and maybe 10 places to park planes.....so there are planes EVERYWHERE!!! The grounds are covered, the nearby military base is housing planes and the military trucks are up and down the roads all the time taking people from place to place.

So what do you think of that??? A small town totally independent of the US, has it's population doubled temporarly, and is turned upside-down because of the tragity. I wish I was there. <img src="icon9.gif" border="0">

 

[floppa21]

I agree that some good things could come out of this. Alliances and one step closer to world peace. Free Trade in America is being worked on for South America, Canada, and Mexico, ultimately, the entire world, no? I just hope this "WAR ON TERRORISM" is more effective than our War on Drugs.

 

[G-Man]

I think war on terrorism and war on drugs are more different then they might seem to be - Terrorists are depended on public opinion, and so they have to reveal themselves a lot. Also, war on terrorism will be done by the military, that needs less proofs and can be much more distructive. Also terrorism will give the CIA/FBI a good reason to put "physical pressure" on suspects, which will make them more likely to reveal details about their orgenizations.<br />Another important issue - today public opinion is totaly for fighting terrorism, while drugs are a bit forgotten

 

[floppa21]

Yah terrorism and drugs are different, I'm just sayin that the war on drugs was a joke from the beginning and was lost a long time ago. I agree with you that it should be more effective, I just hope it is REALLY effective.

 

[G-Man]

Did you know that the largest drug deal ever was paid by the US? The CIA wanted to test a new system that could tell the difference between regular crops and drugs. So they planted a huge field, some of it was corn and most of it was marijuana. On the last night before the tests were about to begin, all the workers escaped to Columbia with all the marijuana. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[LOL]" /> <br />I just hope the US won't do anything so stupid about the war on terror

 

[gjts00]

Originally posted by CornMaster:<br /><strong>Speaking on your prosperity bit:

My sister lives in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. She works at a donut shop that is near the airport in Gander. Gander is a smallish town (compared to US standards....but it's the 4th or 5th largest community in Newfoundland) of 11,000 people. Since Gander has the only International airport in Newfoundland, and it's closest to the Atlantic, dozens of planes were grounded there.

The problem??? 11,000 passangers are stranded in Gander with no food, clothes, or accomdiations. Which is causing an HUGE boost in the local enonomy. The stores and hotels can't keep up. So people are being put up in schools, and gyms all over the town. Tim Hortons (where my sister works) has been giving free food to the airport since the planes landed, causing lots of people, once they get out of the airport, to go to Tim Hortons to get something to eat (since it's close and now familar to them).

It's actually gotten so bad that the town in encourage people to make roasts, sandwiches, juices and carry them to the airport for the people.

Now Gander only has 1 runway and maybe 10 places to park planes.....so there are planes EVERYWHERE!!! The grounds are covered, the nearby military base is housing planes and the military trucks are up and down the roads all the time taking people from place to place.

So what do you think of that??? A small town totally independent of the US, has it's population doubled temporarly, and is turned upside-down because of the tragity. I wish I was there. <img src="icon9.gif" border="0"> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I wasn't refering to now. The types of prosperity of which I'm speaking come later. Of course there are going to be hardships along the way, but in the end "to the victors go the spoils".

 

[allan]

Drugs are a victimless crime (and IMHO should be legalized). Terrorism is exactly the opposite....

 

[allan]

If we ally with Russia, we had better follow through with them this time. After Yeltsin's countercoup ten years ago, we had the opportunity to invest money to transform Russia from a Stalinist sh*thole into a prosperous democracy where people could enjoy a lifestyle similar to Western Europeans or Americans.... Instead we blew them off for the most part, and let their economy be taken over by mafia crooks--and almost saw the people run back into the arms of the communists for safety.... I think most Russian people want to enjoy the benefits of a capitalist democracy, if the transition were easier--younger Russians seem to DEFINITELY want it. The transition can't be overnight, but we could have made it a lot easier than it was, and successful.... I hope we do it this time, or else we can expect a foe again soon after our victory celebrations....

 

[starlifter]

<br />by Cornmaster:<br />... <br />A small town totally independent of the US, has it's population doubled temporarly, and is turned upside-down because of the tragity. I wish I was there.<br /> <hr></blockquote>

I've flown into Gander many times. It is in a strategic location, and an excellent fuel stop when we are coming back from Europe (which is against the winds) with a full load and need fuel. I must confess I've never had a crew rest there before... it's always a gas and go, and more often than not, seems to be at night.