How bad are the misconceptions?

[Barry the Sprout]

Osama probably has had a huge effect and in my opinion achieved his objectives and more. He attacked the financial centre of the US when the country was already on the brink of recession. Surely that effect of the attack cannot be ignored, we all saw how quickly share prices fell on the day (with the exception of oil for obvious reasons). And just think what might have happened if the fourth plane had hit Camp David.

You have to remember that he has a long term plan and America has, IMO, played right into his hands. The attacks on 9/11 are not the end of this and neither is the bombing of Afghanistan. I think we would all agree with that.

BTW Ronn, about the Dreamworks point. Surely you aren't suggesting that the man who made Schindlers List would try and make money out of genocide?!

(Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been at home instead of my term time residence and as such my internet access was greatly reduced. But now I am back and will try and catch up with everything)

[John D Harris]

quote:

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Originally posted by Barry the Sprout:
Osama probably has had a huge effect and in my opinion achieved his objectives and more. He attacked the financial centre of the US when the country was already on the brink of recession. Surely that effect of the attack cannot be ignored, we all saw how quickly share prices fell on the day (with the exception of oil for obvious reasons). And just think what might have happened if the fourth plane had hit Camp David.

You have to remember that he has a long term plan and America has, IMO, played right into his hands. The attacks on 9/11 are not the end of this and neither is the bombing of Afghanistan. I think we would all agree with that.

BTW Ronn, about the Dreamworks point. Surely you aren't suggesting that the man who made Schindlers List would try and make money out of genocide?!

(Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been at home instead of my term time residence and as such my internet access was greatly reduced. But now I am back and will try and catch up with everything)

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Barry the Sprout,
Yes the 11 Sept., attack had an effect on the economy, but it has not broken the back of the US economy! We're still rocking and rolling here Stocks have rebounded and the rest of the economy has reached bottom and is on the rise. The American people held back for a couple of months in a wait and see mode. There is no depression so we're back to the business of business, we saw what the low-life sacks of horse manure did, but it will not stop us. This country is not New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, L.A., or Hollywood (as much as they would like to think it is). This country is small town U.S.A. and the subburbs, made up of hard working people that do their job and try to do what is right. The only thing that Usama and his band of Idiots did is piss the rest of us off! As with others before them (and there will be others after them) the terrorist have underestimated the spirit of the American people. What was seen as Arrogance, in reality is Confidence, there is small but crucial differance between the two.

The bombing of Afghanistan is the begining, the low-lifes delivered the first blow, a solid punch (I might even go so far as to say a decent kick in the crouch). Yet even with all the death and distuction that was brought upon my country it was not a death blow!
Yes, the Afghanis(sp?) and other peoples of the world grow up making war and fighting, but their concept is different then ours. ie: When the tide of war started turning against the Talliban, and Usama's boys there were mass defections, side switching, all to get on the winning side. When it was our time to fight against the most powerful country of the world we didn't give up,we would rather die then give in to what we believe to be wrong. Side switching is not an option, probibly the most dispised name in American history is Benedict Arnold. In WAR there can be only victor or vanquished, we perfer peace (so we can all buy and sell stuff), but if it comes to WAR then we will fight and bring death and destruction upon our enemies. We have no desire to find out what it is like to be the vaquished.
Now that I'm done with the preaching I'll pass around the collection plate now No intent to flame you, Barry the Sprout,
John D. Harris

[ 01-13-2002: Message edited by: John D Harris ]

[Barry the Sprout]

I know that America is no where near collapse John but what I was saying is that the effects of the attacks are not purely physical. I was just trying to say that in general we should wait and see before we make judgements about how hard the blow was.

[John D Harris]

quote:

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Originally posted by Barry the Sprout:
I know that America is no where near collapse John but what I was saying is that the effects of the attacks are not purely physical. I was just trying to say that in general we should wait and see before we make judgements about how hard the blow was.

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Yeah, it was more than physical damage, but I think the waiting period is over. I see signs of economic growth already in the nation, stocks are up interest rates are down, unemployment is what 6%? I grew up in the late 70's interest, inflation, unemployment were all double digits. We're mad and we're kill'n terrorists and we're buying goodies. Stand back and watch the economic boom!

[Barry the Sprout]

I know it looks like things are back on track but are they really as stable as they appear? Remember that a lot of the US's strength comes from a lack of competitors on the same scale. Now that strength is being removed I think. The Euro has been introduced and was far from the logistic nightmare that has until now scared away economists. Whilst it hasn't skyrocketed it hasn't collapsed, which is an overwhelmingly good sign for an entirely new currency. This is coupled with the fact that the whole world is watching America at the moment and a large portion aren't liking what they see.

Basically what I am saying is that 6 months ago the US was the stable option economically. The Euro was a massive risk. Now the Euro is much less risky and it coincides with a time when the US appears to be under attack in a way it hasn't been for quite some time. The attacks physically were only minimally effective, but coupled with the US response and the rise in other alternatives to US investment... I don't think a collapse is on the cards any time soon but I think this could signal the start of the decline that was mentioned earlier. I don't mean to be all doom and gloom, no really, I don't.

Don't beleive me? Bah Humbug!

[Marukusu]

Um. In my opinion, it's not a wise idea to draw a parallel between the US's New War (an expression which I don't really like...) and the introduction of the Euro. Personally, I can't see the new "european" currency as a threat to the US (even though they say that in two years, I'm gonna be paying with it, too), because clever businessmen there can benefit from it, too.
It may signal, however, that not everything (even in the western) world is about the US.
As for bin Laden... He has already earned a place in history for himself, he can be quite "happy" with that if he wants to. I agree though that the attacks weren't aimed to have physical effects, rather economical and maybe psychological.
Remember? If that tape is authentic, then Osama himself didn't dream that both towers would be totally destroyed. If he'll be found, then maybe we could ask him questions, instead of executing him on the spot. (Which'd be a rather barbarical action IMHO.)

[Barry the Sprout]

I am not drawing parallels I am just showing how the combination of the two might cause people to lose faith slightly in the old assumption of US stability. I may be wrong though, as John says, the worst looks like it is over on the surface. Who can tell?