Dissing the Statue of Liberty

[skydyvr 0]

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... I would suggest there comes a point where one side stops trying.

Correct. Why do you think France did that? Money? Contempt for the US?

. . =(_8^(1)

[billvon 3,099]

>There comes a point where diplomacy fails.

Hmm. So if your candidate doesn't win the next election, would you start shooting? Or would you accept the loss, continue to speak your mind, and wait for the next election?

Diplomacy rarely fails as such; it simply produces results not to some of the participants' liking.

>But as all countries involved are merely jogging for their own
> positions.....impasses are going to reached a lot quicker.

Quite true, which is why all involved have to be willing to compromise.

[billvon 3,099]

>Correct. Why do you think France did that? Money? Contempt for the US?

A combination of arrogance, self-interest and contempt. Same reason we pulled out of negotiations come to think of it.

[JJohnson 0]

Correct. They stop tryng because the outcome is no longer something they are willing to accept.....for whatever reason. Bullies...you bet. I've always maintained that as far as countries and politics are concerned, that they practice "might makes right".

Please do not think that I subscribe to this as a personal philosophy....merely an observation.

JJ

"Call me Darth Balls"

[JJohnson 0]

Again allow me claim impartial. This is not what I say is right, just an observation. However for the sake of arguement let's look at your question:

>So if your candidate doesn't win the next election, would you start shooting?<

Well, lets say that IF I lived in a country like Iraq, and after a few years under Saddam's rule.....and I happened to vote for some other guy, who didn't win....And my newly re-elected President stood on verge on destroying my country......yeah...maybe it would be time to start shooting.
However if I had one of those nice cushy Saddam minister govt. positions....I guess I would be happy as a clam. Depends on what side of the coin you are on.
Violence sometimes is justified. The U.S. wouldn't be more than a suburb of London today if we hadn't of decided that we were no longer willing to compromise.

Perception counts for alot. And it is still a sad fact that the people in power have their perception jaded by more than the common good.

I can say that while in the USMC, I was willing to die for our country, for it's ideals and for the people. But I was not going to die for the numb-nuts politicians.

I can honestly say that right now I am glad that I am not tasked with the responsibility of making the choices now faced by any of these countries leaders.

JJ

"Call me Darth Balls"

[Gawain 0]

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>There comes a point where diplomacy fails.

Hmm. So if your candidate doesn't win the next election, would you start shooting? Or would you accept the loss, continue to speak your mind, and wait for the next election?

Diplomacy rarely fails as such; it simply produces results not to some of the participants' liking.

On the other hand, look at Turkey. There, we observed their democratic process and it didn't yield the result we wanted. Have we seen a deterioration in relations there? No. Why? Because even though the government supports our position, the legislature couldn't sell it. Even though Turkey's military (highly respected, very powerful) supports us, they let the process work, despite the results.

France's position is not the result of any such action (or rather, inaction). They were willing to compromise, but only to a point. We were willing to compromise, but only to a point. It is at that juncture that diplomacy, the political process fails.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Michele 1]

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IF I lived in a country like Iraq, and after a few years under Saddam's rule.....and I happened to vote for some other guy, who didn't win

Um, wouldn't he have shot you first? That's generally how someone gets 100% of the vote...at gunpoint...

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[wmw999 2,577]

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Um, wouldn't he have shot you first? That's generally how someone gets 100% of the vote...at gunpoint...

I've lived in a country under dictatorship. Not of the 100% variety, but definitely a dictatorship. There were more brutal ones close by.

You can't afford to keep everyone under the gun all the time. Too costly. You keep the noisiest ones scared with extended jail and questioning (without letting either the public or their families know where they are). You call them terrorists.

You declare votes against you illegal for one reason or another. It makes voting pointless, except that usually there's a law against not voting, also.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Bazza 0]

I think the statue should be sent back but changed slightly (see attachment). Now before somebody jumps on me, be sure to look at the attachment first ;-)!
There was a note passed around work a couple of days ago quoting people's opinions of the French through the last century. Some of the notables are: Patton "I'd rather have a German division in front of me than the French behind me" and my favourite from 'Hannibal Lecter' "I just love the French. They taste like chicken"
Sign me 'a neighbour to the north who wishes his leader had some backbone'
Bazza

[VectorBoy 0]

Careful if america loses, Canada will be the other,,,other great white devil! Glen