Al-Queda with nukes?
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so now it's Al-Queida scaring you into despotism?
"Vierteile den, der sie Hure schimpft mit einem türkischen Säbel."
mlog || Agile Programming | doxygenpeterchen wrote: so now it's Al-Queida scaring you into despotism? (1) "I didn't post this as a sneaky counterargument to the "Bush/Clinton is scaring us into despotism" post immediately preceeding this one." (2) The claims of American despotism are based on assumptions of a trajectory in US politics and claims that the US is "trumping up" the fear factor. If the fear factor is not being trumped up by the US government (if, in fact, it is true that Al-Queda could plausibly obtain nuclear weapons in the future) then the "tragectory" arguement is substantially weakened because it shows that the US government is acting rationally to a real threat, not creating an imaginary threat as part of a conspiracy to move to despotism. BTW, don't be surprised if I don't reply to you in the future. Sometimes I just write you off as unconvincable; not entirely different than arguing with a linux or mac zealot. ------------------------------------------ The ousted but stubbornly non-dead leader reportedly released an audiotape this weekend, ending by calling on Iraqis to, quote, "resist the occupation in any way you can, from writing on walls, to boycotting, to demonstrating and taking up arms." adding, "you know, pretty much anything I used to kill you for." - The Daily Show
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So it's your bloody fault this planet is becoming over populated!?!? ;P -- Definately a Lounge safe signature.
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peterchen wrote: so now it's Al-Queida scaring you into despotism? (1) "I didn't post this as a sneaky counterargument to the "Bush/Clinton is scaring us into despotism" post immediately preceeding this one." (2) The claims of American despotism are based on assumptions of a trajectory in US politics and claims that the US is "trumping up" the fear factor. If the fear factor is not being trumped up by the US government (if, in fact, it is true that Al-Queda could plausibly obtain nuclear weapons in the future) then the "tragectory" arguement is substantially weakened because it shows that the US government is acting rationally to a real threat, not creating an imaginary threat as part of a conspiracy to move to despotism. BTW, don't be surprised if I don't reply to you in the future. Sometimes I just write you off as unconvincable; not entirely different than arguing with a linux or mac zealot. ------------------------------------------ The ousted but stubbornly non-dead leader reportedly released an audiotape this weekend, ending by calling on Iraqis to, quote, "resist the occupation in any way you can, from writing on walls, to boycotting, to demonstrating and taking up arms." adding, "you know, pretty much anything I used to kill you for." - The Daily Show
(1) I understood that, but I was making the connnection (2) Brit wrote: The claims of American despotism are based on assumptions of a trajectory in US politics and claims Yes, it's trajectory, the US ain't there yet, but the nose is pointing into the right direction. But... (it had to come ;)) Despotism doesn't necessarily appear because makes a "Next year I want to be dictator" new years resolution. A few points are enough: A perceived or real threat, the conviction that "the public" (or at least, your non-followers) are to stupid to understand how things work/are/must be handled, and a powerful desire to keep in control. Fear is strong instrument of control, it's very natural and oh sooo nonviolent. And it can make tons of money for the right people. If Al-Queida has nukes, this has some other implication besides the Al-Queida threat rating: It pokes a gaping hole into the "balance of power" doctrine, nukes don't protect you from being nuked. I'm all in for any administration to react on a threat. Butthe way the Bush administration reacts, and the people it allows to catch up with the new wind, is dangerous. Secondary, a threat not necessarily has to mean fear. Are you afraid of Cancer? Heart Attack? The slightly odd guy next door that got laid off lately? Fear is a fast first-shot decision-maker. On the long term, it's devastating
Brit wrote: Sometimes I just write you off as unconvincable With some things I am. I'll never be convinced that "it can never happen to the US", whatever reasons are brought forward. I'll strongly doubt that killing terrorists kills terrorism, and this will remain for decades. Brit wrote: not entirely different than arguing with a linux or mac zealot doesn't bite.
"Vierteile den, der sie Hure schimpft mit einem türkischen Säbel."
mlog || Agile Programming | doxygen -
But hope is so easily shattered.... -- Definately a Lounge safe signature.