It is...

Vignesh's point is that attacking W. and Blair are not necessarily related to the question at hand...

Juan

I have absolutely no problem with this, I think the US should think about this question and have a plan. However, I don't think it is the only point raised in the AP article. Refer to the opening paragraph.

The interesting point to me is that the US wants other nations to do the same, according to Rice. Wanting is fine. The next step is pressuring, which is interfering in the affairs of other countries. Let's see where it goes in the next while.

I can't help but think that there are parallels here with Cuba, the US, and Canada (insert other countries here), and the big kid on the block telling everyone how it is going to be.

With ALOT of restraint, let me say this. One of the first things I learned in the military was don't complain unless you have a better solution. Isolationism and ignoring what is happening in other countries brought us 2 world wars,(thank you, Europe). There are no perfect solutions. With nuclear weapons, you can't wait until the bombs drop, to deal with the problem(Iran). As far as the last Iraq war, it was still part of the 1st, after waiting for the UN to do its job and what it said it would do for 10yrs. Saddam killed thousands after the 1st one who rose up thinking the UN and the world was going to help them. Tell me, WHEN do you think it's time to act? Of course, if the USA waited that long, you'd be speaking German, wouldn't you?

Sorry, I get alittle tired of bad mouthing with no viable alternatives.

Don't miss my point. My point of the original post wasn't that "I think Hamas is fine" it was more along the lines of if the US chooses to not agree with a democraticly elected leader, fine. If the US chooses not to do business with this country, fine. If the US chooses to not do business with countries that do business with this leader, fine. BUT don't tell other countries they have to elect certain people or they can't play with any other country in the world...which is what Rice is attempting to do. This is why the US gets a bad rap around the world.


Side Note:

burkleymh - The US was running guns/machinery to Europe long before "entering" WWII. US has a funny way of entering a war without entering it.

Fortunately we had some people who realized you cannot ignore what was happening elsewhere in the world. Of course, some of the methods used to get around the isolationalists are 'illegal' today(and were then).

As far as Hamas and other hostile govts (which sometimes includes alot of our 'friends'), we send alot of $ in aid (Israel & Egypt #1 & #2) all around the world. Wouldn't you ask for some concessions for giving $ to bad risks? Is it too much to ask that if you want our $ to stabilize and grow your country that we deal with a govt willing to negotiate peacefully differences of opinion? Frankly, I think we give too much money away and not enough construction and health aid that bypasses corrupt 'officials'. Even in our own country $ to various 'charities' never make it to the people. The accounting of Jesses Jackson's 'Operation Push' are so messed up (deliberately?) the auditors can't find millions of $. Yet this 'charity' is untouchable because... well, you tell me. The main reason I call myself a republican is Hubert Humphrey, then VP. Nicaragua just had a devastating earthquake and he said, "I think the American people would want to give them 250 million dollars."
Period, end of sentence. Not send food, doctors, medical supplies, construction equipment and/or crews,... no, just send dollars. I just wish our aid would actually get to the people who need it.

Um... I do. Not that I paid much attention to them, but I certainly do remember several nations chipping their 2 cents in on our elections.

How about because he's a mass murderer and torturer? If he were the PM of Scotland I'm sure you'ld have a different opinion.

Scottie -

First - DO NOT APOLOGIZE for expressing your views.
Second - obviously, most of us here are American, and a probably more than not are relatively conservative.
Third - In spiteof what may be broadcast overseas, our entire society is built upon free expression of ideas. Hence, my comment #1.
Next - In the free expression of views, things can get a little heated. That is natural, and is not a reason to apologize. W/O these debates, we would atrophy as a society.
Fifth - American politics are extremely divided right now, with about half the country liberal and half conservative. That sometimes makes things ugly.
Sixth - regardless of our internal views and disagreements, Americans will circle their wagons, and strike back hard when threatened from the outside. We generally value our society, the freedoms and liberties it includes, and we will fight for all its worth and all it means to us. Regardless of our liberal/conservative leanings, we are an innately (word?) fiercely patriotic people.
Seventh - I, for one, value opinions from our friends overseas. I might not always agree with them, and you or anyone might suffer the occasional STFU, but I value them nonetheless.
Last - It is probably impossible to understand what it feels like to be an American these days. We are blessed with opportunity, freedom, and free will like no other society on earth. We have our warts, no doubt. However, it sometimes seems that we can do no good in the world. We are constantly under assault. It gets to be a heavy load sometimes. I look at it as a burden of prosperity. That doesn't make it any more fun. For the Average American (and Average Americans have little interest in politics), it is hard to understand why, when they are working hard, trying to put thier kids throiugh school, living a life of minding their own business, people abroad seem to hate our guts.

Hang in there kid.

Very well said, ylwjacket... :bow:

:withstupi Even if he is a republican... :D

Juan