I have a novel suggestion.

[Dr.Phool]

Why don't we start breaking up the Empire, start closing foreign military bases, end all of our wars, both acknowledged and covert, and in general just quit fucking with everybody else on the planet.

Maybe then, people would stop trying to blow up our airplanes, and put car bombs in New York and elsewhere.

Then we would have no need to do pat downs, body scans, and expose our dirty socks in airports. We could probably even bring our own booze on board again.

We could even name the action after the late Chalmers Johnson.

[ZombieHorde]

1. Whatever. The way to win people over is kill their loved ones.

Whenever I meet someone new, I kill one of their loved ones as quickly as possible.

(just kidding, recommended)

[Kali]

2. why do you hate amerika?

[Dr.Phool]

3. I don't, yet.

But read a few of Chalmers Johnson's books, and you'll understand why most of the world does.

Start with Blowback.

[Kali]

13. I do hope you know I was being sarcastic.

and believe it or not, I know who Chalmers Johnson is. Another voice for good lost this week.

[Dr.Phool]

14. I know.

Two sarcastic minds working as one.

[baldguy]

4. Then Pax Americana would be replaced by Pax Sinis.

Like it or not, the US does provide leadership in the world: Diplomatically, economically and militarily. If we left, China would take over. Would that be a better world?

[Dr.Phool]

5. I've been hearing that shit since the '50s.

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming.

A better world than 1972 Chile? Salvadorean death squads? Bloody proxy wars all over the world?
Domino effects? Vietnam? Indonesia? East Timor?

Not to mention the damage our troops do in every country where we have bases.

Chalmers Johnson would disagree with you.

[jwirr]

6. And look where that has gotten us - dead broke on our asses. nt

[XemaSab]

7. 'Cause China is still fighting World War II

:eyes:

[baldguy]

9. No, because China is working hard to be the dominant world economy in the 21st century.

And they seem to be succeeding:

China Passes Japan as Second-Largest Economy
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/business/global/16yuan.html

China may be bigger economy than US within two years
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100008581/china-may-be-bigger-economy-than-us-within-two-years/

$123,000,000,000,000*
*China’s estimated economy by the year 2040. Be warned.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/04/123000000000000
(FYI for 2009, the US economy was only $14,266,000,000,000 compared to $4,990,000,000,000 for China)




What is America doing?

[Dr.Phool]

12. We're wrecking our own economy to prop up a failing empire.

Over 700 military bases around the world. Missile defense that don't work. Fighting wars and occupying countries, so we can steal their natural resources. And pursuing the Neo-con dream of projecting power world-wide.

We can't accomplish anything at home, because we're spending more money on the military, than the rest of the world combined. The military sucks up over $0.50 of every dollar. We could do a lot with that money.

Instead, we'd rather fuck with everyone else on the planet. Prop up and support corrupt puppet regimes, that kill and torture their own citizens who don't like being exploited. They know and they remember. And you get a full body scan and a good frisking because of it.

[DutchLiberal]

8. It wouldn't make any fucking difference.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. the enemy is within the gates so...

[waiting for hope]

11. K&R

[Demeter]

15. Double K&R

[Roland99]

16. I wholeheartedly concur!

[Tansy_Gold]

17. You got my K&R!

:hi:

What a novel idea. Mind our own business (sic) for a change. Take care of ourselves. Leave other people the fuck alone.

Yeah, not bad at all. I like it!


TG, NTY

[DemReadingDU]

18. yeh, great idea!

[sweetapogee]

19. Good plan.

We should also stop sending aid to countries. Use the money to feed our poor and uninsured.

[Dr.Phool]

20. No problem with humanitarian aid.

Keeping a place like Columbia armed to the teeth is another matter.

[txlibdem]

21. You got a K&R from me too

I agree with everything you said. Nobody has ever had a good explanation of why we need to have all those bases around the world except to be a threat to our allies and their neighbors.

Why are American tax payers footing the bill for all these other countries (especially Germany) who are kicking our butts economically and they provide free health care to all their citizens. Looks like their systems are being paid for by you and me. "F" that.

[treestar]

22. Great idea, now start work on the details.

:hide: