[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Thoran: quote: Originally posted by John D Harris: quote: Originally posted by skywalker: So that means, since the UN can't find it's own end, it means we can ignore them and do as we please. We do share the planet with quite a few other nations. Does the strongest and loudest set the direction? I wonder what the World would be like if the UN disbanded. Mark

Yes, we do on many things already, just because a group gets together doesn't mean they're right. That works for both the U.N. and any other country in the world.

It has always been that way throughout history! And NO ONE has been able too or willing too answer me this question, (I've asked it several times) Name any country that throughout history, when it was #1, didn't conquer everything it could? Rome didn't, Aztec's didn't, Ottoman's didn't. At No POINT in history has any country enjoyed the gap in power that we (U.S.A.) currently enjoy. You can measure that power how ever you like. What country have we conquered and hold as ours now? What land have we annexed now? Don't give this crap about what we've did in the 1800's, unless we are living in the 1800's NOW. I'm talking about what is happening NOW!

Not a any different then it is now, there are still dictators, wars, starving people, lying sacks of horse manure, and any other thing we as people claim to be evil, bad, or wrong going on now with the U.N. in place![/QUOTE]In my mind it goes far beyond just "not conquering everything in sight". The US and others willing to take a stand have spent billions of dollars and the lives of their people to essentially take over other countries... just to give them BACK. After WWII we occupied Germany (with our Allies) and Japan, we didn't hold onto them longer than necessary... we spent time and money to get them back on their feet and they walked away as FULLY independant countries. We went into Korea... defended the South, and DIDN'T assume control of their country. If we'd stuck it out in Vietnam... does anyone actully think they'd be the 51'st State or something? Granada, Panama, Kuwait, Bosnia, Afghanastan, etc... we've stuck our necks out... call it OIL or whatever... I don't much care. In the end we went there to try and maintain stability in the world, yes because it's in our best interest, but it's also in the best interest of everyone else out there.

Appeasement DOES NOT WORK... it's been proven TIME AND TIME AGAIN, yet I read over and over about how people think we should stick our heads in the sand and ignore the problems around us. Diplomacy is useless against a dictator bent on controlling others... the only thing Saddam and his ilk respects is POWER.

In then end though, I'm thankful that all the doves in this world can sit back, fat dumb and happy. They can go around pointing fingers and pooh-poohing those willing to forcebly take a stand. Those sorts of people NEED to exist in the world. It just kills me that they don't seem to realize that their very existance is utterly dependant on the rest of us, because WE'RE willing to get dirty to protect their right to berate us.[/QUOTE]Thoran, are you sure you're a Yankee? Great post!