I remember 9/11. It was a strange day to say the least. People looked at each other differently and people were asking total strangers if they were alright. The political climate also changed. No longer were left and right fighting for they both realized that they needed to come together or perhaps lose their country. Of course, that only lasted a short time after 9/11.
War is a time when people tend to come together out of necessity. In that sense, it creates community in an odd way.
I think at our core, we demand to be fighting something. Usually it is other individuals whom we have personal issues with. However, when the fighting moves to fighting groups of people using other groups of people, then we create community and a common sense of belonging.
I reckon the only thing that could unite the world would be an alien invasion of some kind. However, if the invasion ceased, we would resort to fighting each other once again. It's just our nature.
Originally posted by whodeyAnd politicians played it for all it was worth. That aspect of war has been used by politicians throughout history. If you want people to follow you without question, then you need to stress the dangers of the 'enemy' and the need to stick together.
I remember 9/11. It was a strange day to say the least. People looked at each other differently and people were asking total strangers if they were alright. The political climate also changed. No longer were left and right fighting for they both realized that they needed to come together or perhaps lose their country. Of course, that only lasted a short time after 9/11.
Mugabe has managed to hold on to power by deliberately stirring tensions between the three main groups (Shona, Ndebele, whites) and between Zimbabwe and 'interfering foreigners'.
One of the main reasons for hatred of america in the middle east is that stirring up such hatred helps to take the focus off local problems.
Non-Americans and non-Europeans are often amazed at how much Americans and Europeans are willing to give up in exchange for a sense of security and how important terrorism is to them. I think we see it more than they do because we are not directly affected so the psychological aspects do not kick in.
Originally posted by twhiteheadThe US seems to have been in a constant state of war since the Korean War but without actually declaring any war.
And politicians played it for all it was worth. That aspect of war has been used by politicians throughout history. If you want people to follow you without question, then you need to stress the dangers of the 'enemy' and the need to stick together.
Mugabe has managed to hold on to power by deliberately stirring tensions between the three main groups ( ...[text shortened]... e than they do because we are not directly affected so the psychological aspects do not kick in.
The military giant that Wilson and FDR helped create has never slept since.
Originally posted by whodey...and you pity the USA, and blame the rest of the world for this!?
The US seems to have been in a constant state of war since the Korean War but without actually declaring any war.
The military giant that Wilson and FDR helped create has never slept since.
Pay the damages you did to innocent civilians all over the world, all the damages, both direct and indirect - and then retreat to your ivory tower and leave the rest of us in peace!
The USA are the most damaging, most murderous, most war-like empire in the entirety of human history. Save us from them.
Originally posted by Shallow BlueIn a world of collectivists, it is very difficult to survive without a world conquering army, or being allies with one. After all, at the heart of collectivism is to seek absolute power that can only be accomplished with a world conquering military.
...and you pity the USA, and blame the rest of the world for this!?
Pay the damages you did to innocent civilians all over the world, all the damages, both direct and indirect - and then retreat to your ivory tower and leave the rest of us in peace!
The USA are the most damaging, most murderous, most war-like empire in the entirety of human history. Save us from them.
It is what it is. If the US did not rise up and challenge Germany/USSR militarily, they simply would have taken over. Would the world be any better? Nope
As for the rest of the world, most just trust in the US to throw their military weight around for them, like Europe did begging Obama to go into Libya for them. In return, Obama gets a nice pat on the back and a Nobel Peace prize.
Originally posted by whodeyCan you perhaps cite some instances of "Europe" "begging" Obama to go into Libya "for them?"
In a world of collectivists, it is very difficult to survive without a world conquering army, or being allies with one. After all, at the heart of collectivism is to seek absolute power that can only be accomplished with a world conquering military.
It is what it is. If the US did not rise up and challenge Germany/USSR militarily, they simply would have ...[text shortened]... o go into Libya for them. In return, Obama gets a nice pat on the back and a Nobel Peace prize.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraTsk, tsk. Do you really think Obama would have gone in had the UN not begged him to go?
Can you perhaps cite some instances of "Europe" "begging" Obama to go into Libya "for them?"
Now that Libya is full of ISIS terrorists, no doubt the US will pay them another visit in the near future.
Originally posted by whodeyThe only thing the Security Council (which now equals Europe, apparently) did is freeze Gaddafi's assets and allow for a no-fly zone to be enforced.
Tsk, tsk. Do you really think Obama would have gone in had the UN not begged him to go?
Now that Libya is full of ISIS terrorists, no doubt the US will pay them another visit in the near future.
Now how do we go from this to Europe "begging" Obama to intervene?
Originally posted by KazetNagorraBombing the hell out of Gaddafi using US airpower and guided missils is a curious way to enforce a no fly zone.
The only thing the Security Council (which now equals Europe, apparently) did is freeze Gaddafi's assets and allow for a no-fly zone to be enforced.
Now how do we go from this to Europe "begging" Obama to intervene?