What grieves me and gives me a heavy heart

[Yorick]

Is the growing divide between Europe and America.

Immediately following 9/11 there was an inspiring show of unity, expressed care and a common voice that denounced destructive terror. Blair was a hero for rallying an alliance that included Russia and China, against the horrific event that claimed so many lives from this world.

As the years and months have followed we've seen politicians on both sides of the Atlantic destroy the brotherhood of empathy and care that existed. Bush in his obsession with war, Chirac in his obsession with challenging American hegemony.... plus the rest all vieing for their stake in the earth.

Makes me sick.

Bring back Jesus before it all goes to crap...

[Skippy1]

Yep. Agree with most of what you say. I'll avoid the last sentance though.

We'd all be much better off without the politicians using the worlds woes to further their own careers.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Yorick: Makes me sick. Bring back Jesus before it all goes to crap...

Yeah, we havn't had a good public execution in well over a century! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Timber Loftis]

I just think we're in need of a nice new period of American Isolationism.

[Yorick]

You may well be right Timber. WW3 here we go. Europe have PROVEN what happens when they run the world.

1.Imperialism
2.Nationalism
3.Colonialism
4.Fascism
5.WW1 - rush to go to war
6.WW2 - procrastination to prevent Hitler
7.etc etc etc

Need I mention Napolean, Rome, et al.

That said fault lies with Americas use of hegemony, although compared to every other world empire it's very benign. Far from perfect is hardly a crime any human is innocent of.

The fact is, the world united a little after 9/11. UNITED. Empathy, support, differences put aside. It was an incredible time to be alive. The city of NYC united also. COnnection and love grew from the ashes of horror.

Since then the divisions have only grown. All are to blame. But it would seem these divisions are Al-Qaedas greatest victory.

[Timber Loftis]

Maybe the world needs a good yearly tragedy to keep it focused and united.

Oh, wait, we've had SEVERAL EACH YEAR.

Let me direct this discussion a bit. Anyone who has visited Europe and the US will note that the differences are small. Little ones. No ice in drinks in Europer, no internet cafes in airports such as JFK. Pro-DP, anit-DP. These sorts of things. Both are derived from the same root cultures.

So, I don't think that it really is basic ideological differences separating the two worlds. I think it's a strive for an "us vs. them" scenario. Why? Well, the world's decently f-ed up these days, and someone's got to be at fault, right? Ergo, it's got to be "their" fault, and not "ours."

[ 03-17-2004, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

[Yorick]

America is filled with, and largely run by Europeans. Hence the irony.

[johnny]

Jesus had his chance. He failed.

[Larry_OHF]

Originally posted by johnny: Jesus had his chance. He failed.

Warning to everyone in this thread...

Please ignore Johnny's flamebaiting scheme.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Yorick: The fact is, the world united a little after 9/11. UNITED. Empathy, support, differences put aside. It was an incredible time to be alive. The city of NYC united also. COnnection and love grew from the ashes of horror.

Yeah, if Europe and USA equal 'THE WORLD' then I guess the world did unite, in a broad, temproary, no-intention-of-really-being-long-term sense. The Chinese and Russian State officials offered their lip-service support ,ie: when their governments get attacked by terrorists they want international sympathy and political high-ground too. Reciprocal back-scratching.

No one really united Yorick. We were however treated to many charming news bulletin shots of people wrapped up in scarves lighting little candles saying 'oh tragedy tragedy'. Now, lets get back to what our civilisation's mobs of consumers really want: to what they secretly yearn for. Conflict, opposition, violence, and short-lived victory.