From Gadhafi to Benghazi

This is a very interesting read about the latest events in the Middle East:

http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/gadha...8c630bdc12df01

A friend of mine stationed there sent this to me - it is a good read.

I'm not sure why our foreign policy always assumes that people from other countries only want to be free, and that they all seek a democracy for government.

Aside from the fact that our current political leadership wants to apologize to the world for our actions instead of worrying about protecting our people overseas, does anyone really believe that Syria, Egypt, or Libya really wish to be like America? I don't for one second...

I've been there, and while most individual people are friendly (to your face at least :)), by and large, our values are pretty far apart...

Of course, one could say the same thing is coming to American soon... But I digress..

the Civilized world needs to realize, these backward goat f@#*rs, want a Totalitarian Theocracy. They dont want the freedom that we want.

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Originally Posted by HBARleatherneck

the Civilized world needs to realize, these backward goat f@#*rs, want a Totalitarian Theocracy. They dont want the freedom that we want.

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YES!

When will our "leaders" realize that OUR VALUES are not shared by the world and leave them the fuck alone? Can we even count how many times we have "freed" only to have the entire country fall into chaos? How many evil dictators we have gone in and thrown out only to have the following "democracy" make things worse?

And the best part is the more we try and impose our values on these "backwards" people the more they hate us. Really they should pity us- the citizens may be "poor" by our standards but they are not in debt on houses, cars, and other "convienences of modern life. Ok so they have to work hard and our modern technology could help with that, but who says they want it? If they WANT to be heathen bastards living in huts effin LET THEM.

We need to stop trying to save the planet and just mind our own damned business.

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Originally Posted by dwalker460

YES!

When will our "leaders" realize that OUR VALUES are not shared by the world and leave them the fuck alone? Can we even count how many times we have "freed" only to have the entire country fall into chaos? How many evil dictators we have gone in and thrown out only to have the following "democracy" make things worse?

And the best part is the more we try and impose our values on these "backwards" people the more they hate us. Really they should pity us- the citizens may be "poor" by our standards but they are not in debt on houses, cars, and other "convienences of modern life. Ok so they have to work hard and our modern technology could help with that, but who says they want it? If they WANT to be heathen bastards living in huts effin LET THEM.

We need to stop trying to save the planet and just mind our own damned business.

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I agree... only intervene when we are explicitly asked or the rest of the world says "we're going to right this wrong, help us out will ya?" Isolationism isn't great, but butting in and imposing democracy everywhere is probably worse.

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

I agree... only intervene when we are explicitly asked or the rest of the world says "we're going to right this wrong, help us out will ya?" Isolationism isn't great, but butting in and imposing democracy everywhere is probably worse.

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Isolation isn't possible with today's economy, but getting involved as the world police force is no longer fiscally feasible, let along wanted.

It is funny how we're the good guys when people want our help, and then they burn our flag when they're done using us.

I think the United States should protect it's own interests and those of our citizens and allies worldwide, but we need to be careful about thinking our way of life is what everybody in the world wants.

Very few of our conflicts have been beneficial to the United States. I don't believe they always can be, but before our leaders put American lives on the line, it should at least be top of mind that the benefits to American are top priority.

I'm Exxonv and I approve this message... :)

It seems lately we only get involved in countries with significant interests in oil reserves (Iran) or natural gas (Afghanistan). 3.1 trillion dollars worth of armed conflict...

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Originally Posted by HBARleatherneck

the Civilized world needs to realize, these backward goat f@#*rs, want a Totalitarian Theocracy. They dont want the freedom that we want.

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If someone were to drop a MOAB directly on the Kaaba in Mecca, do you think that would make the situation in the Middle East better or worse?

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Originally Posted by Clint45

If someone were to drop a MOAB directly on the Kaaba in Mecca, do you think that would make the situation in the Middle East better or worse?

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Worse

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Originally Posted by Clint45

If someone were to drop a MOAB directly on the Kaaba in Mecca, do you think that would make the situation in the Middle East better or worse?

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Nerve agent is gonna be cheaper. Then turn it into a urinal, why waste perfectly good building material? Save the MOAB for the Iranian nuclear weapons bunkers. Or better yet, slam the place with a large asteroid and scare the living hell out of all of them...

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Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

It seems lately we only get involved in countries with significant interests in oil reserves (Iran) or natural gas (Afghanistan). 3.1 trillion dollars worth of armed conflict...

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Agree - to what benefit? When I went to the gulf the first time, we knew it was oil, I mean, who even really knew about Kuwait at the time?

We have plenty of both here, so I just don't see why we put American's in harms way for either. We need the jobs here anyway.

Payback for 911 was a good enough reason to hit Astan and Iraq, but why are we still there? Kick their butt, get our folks home. When they rise up again, kick their butt again (if necessary). I don't know for sure, just saying it's better than thinking we can put a McDonalds, Wallmart, and Krispy Creme up and they'll magically fall in love with the American Dream.

Heck, we have plenty of folks here trying to kill the American Dream as it is...

Just my 2 cents - and another reason why America is still the greatest country on earth, cause we can have an opinion and we can voice it!