Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Many people are. How many people off the street are going to know that Iraq almost defected to the Axis during WWII or that Iran used to be an ally of the US? How many people actually know that you reap what you sow, and in our case British imperialism and American intervention almost 70 years ago is the root Iran's hatred of the West?
I don't expect "many people" to know it - but I DO expect the PRESIDENT to be aware of things that affect our national interests and NO make stupid bonehead statements that alienate our allies.
This is a perfect example of why it's so IMPORTANT to have a President that's educated and smart - rather than just "someone you could sit and have a beer with".
Many people are. How many people off the street are going to know that Iraq almost defected to the Axis during WWII or that Iran used to be an ally of the US? How many people actually know that you reap what you sow, and in our case British imperialism and American intervention almost 70 years ago is the root Iran's hatred of the West?
This is the most salient post on this thread; you address the crux of the problem. The arbitrary and self-serving division of the Middle East has
everything to do with why there is such resentment of the West. It was the same with Vietnam; our troops were sent into a country to fight, knowing nothing of its history, culture or religion. Had our military been properly educated, they would have understood the importance of Tet to the Vietnamese and been prepared for an offensive.
This link gives an elementary overview of the "parceling" of the Middle East, but as is true of everything, there is always more to be learned. IMHO, watching Lawrence of Arabia might be helpful to many.
Read the "Three Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence to learn the basics of the current Middle Eastern conflicts. He was there and began to understand these people.
Well, strangely, you immediately answer your own question:
Based on your own response, the position of an Obama supporter is more valid based on the flawed beliefs of the Republican Bush supporter. They are most often ideologically driven, with little use for facts or serious, investigative research into very complex problems, the same ones Bush ignored and delegated to someone down the White House supply chain, effectively shirking responsibility.
And for the record, the Bush Yale degree, along with his certificate from Harvard, were the result of him being a legacy student. It happens all the time, the rich take of their own based on their last name and family connections
There is nothing factual in this post. You claim validity based on the assertion that they are more "ideologically driven", when this board is full of nothing but liberal drivel, most of it emotional in nature. You elected a President based on emotion, and the fact that "he can't be any worse than Bush." When questioned about Obama's experience, many on this board used the "he is an experienced organizer and surrounds himself with smart people; he knows how to delegate". That sounds like what you are complaining about as well.
You assert he would not have graduated had be not been a legacy student. Many children attend the same school as their parents. Your assertion is offensive to them and their hard work. Many of Bush's former classmates indicate he was quite intelligent. His fitness reports indicated intelligent but "unmotivated" if I remember correctly. He was an experienced pilot. While you may question his politics, views, or even his judgement, you can't question his intelligence.
Intelligence is quantifiable, but not always an indicator of success. Ted Bundy, Ted Kazinski, even Ted Kennedy, were [are] all highly intelligent. I would not vote for any one of them, ever.
Your response is emotional. It only proves the point I was trying to make. Try again with something a little more substantive. At least you attempted, and were civil. For that, +1.
I don't expect "many people" to know it - but I DO expect the PRESIDENT to be aware of things that affect our national interests and NO make stupid bonehead statements that alienate our allies.
This is a perfect example of why it's so IMPORTANT to have a President that's educated and smart - rather than just "someone you could sit and have a beer with".
Read the "Three Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence to learn the basics of the current Middle Eastern conflicts. He was there and began to understand these people.
Thanks for that nugget; I'll read it. There was also a movie with Ralph Fiennes called A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia. It goes more into the political maneuvering after the Turks were defeated, and Lawrence was
abandoned as a source of information and advice.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,330 posts, read 54,411,082 times
Reputation: 40736
Quote:
Originally Posted by odanny
One word: Fear.
If you took away fear, none of them would have listened. But when they were warned that Saddam had nuclear weapons, that Al Qaeda was hiding behind every bush, that we had to torture people to remain safe, the herd listened and obeyed
If you took away fear, none of them would have listened. But when they were warned that Saddam had nuclear weapons, that Al Qaeda was hiding behind every bush, that we had to torture people to remain safe, the herd listened and obeyed
You actually think our country is safer under Obama vs Bush?
Freaking kidding me!
What made Bush such an effective speaker?? probably your kool-aid drinking.
Huh! Cool aid, i haven't heard that in about 35 years.
Do we still make that sugar crap and what is your point
jerk. Did you recon through the border?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
