nerdgirl 0 #26 August 14, 2008 QuoteObama seems to think that the world can all get along if we just sit down and talk. We can't, and it's not our call. McCain recognizes that. What do yall think? Disagree with your synopsized assertion. E.g., one might pose an equally synopsized assertion that Sen Obama advocates using the full component of the US’s power – from soft through hard power (aka what you agreed w/regarding diplomacy backed by a strong military). Sen Obama recognizes that. Whereas Sen McCain wants to expand unilateral assertion of hard power. i.e., military engagement as first, second, and third choices without recognizing the negative economic consequences for the US. Wouldn’t agree with the latter either … but it’s just as valid in over-simplified synopsized version. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #27 August 14, 2008 Responding separately to the subject line – cause that I think is a more interesting question. Rather than asking can we get along, I tend to look at what enables us (large populations of humans) to get along and to be successful. Yes [birdlike], there are biological imperatives to get along as well as to compete, i.e., the evolutionary benefits of altruism and cooperation. Why and when one dominates or is more important is another interesting as well as currently important (think South Ossetia vs reconstruction in Liberia) question, im-ever-ho. At the same time, there are cultural imperatives to get along or to compete. If one has spends any significant time in Japan or Norway one can observe different versions of the former, whereas if one spends any significant time is the US or western Nepal one can observe different versions of the latter. A neat first order examination addressing the biological, cultural, and geographical factors is Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies … bugs (vis a vis acquired immunity), cows (vis a vis availability of domesticatable large animals), and high protein grasses are so very important. What institutions and traditions (a cultural form of institutions that can be positive &/or negative) allow/facilitate the US to survive and rebuild from Hurricane Katrina, w/~2000 fatalities as compared to the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (nee Burma) with an official figure of >77,000 fatalities (& probably closer to 100,000)? Or compare the 1992 Landers earthquake in southern California (7.3) w/3 fatalities to the recent Sichaun earthquake in China (7.9) w/>69,000 fatalities. While there are lots of independent variables, the importance of institutions -- from first responders to enforcement of building codes -- is critical, imo. From a political perspective: one way to insure that “we all get along” in the short term is through oppressive despotic regimes. They do tend to be fairly stable in the short to mid term and people do get along because the repercussions of not doing so are severe, e.g., see DPRK or Saddam Hussayn’s Iraq. They also lack large scale creativity, innovation, economic growth, prosperity, civil rights … and freedom. (Anarchic regimes/failed states, while not stable, show similar lack of characteristics, e.g., see Somalia.) So what enables successful states in which the population (generally) gets along? VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #28 August 14, 2008 Quote and I prefer a leader who always uses their brain first and their military's muscles second. Agreed, 100%.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #29 August 14, 2008 I've just been reading a very educational thread in the Bonfire. A lot of our trouble seems to come from people living in the Middle East , where it gets very hot. Maybe a little Gold Bond Powder on the nutsack would make those guys a little less irritable. Just a thought. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crwtom 0 #30 August 14, 2008 QuoteThis, of course, makes the assumption that the 'jaw-jaw' is [more] effective [than war]. ******************************************************************* Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
