Thread: What Do You Guys Think About This?

America's global battlefield - Late Night Live - ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

It's very 'politically sensitive' but it's pretty disturbing in a way if it really does represent the state of our world. Of course I make no comment on if this is factual or not, or biased or skewed, but this is the news I go today as I drove home from work. I listen to Adams' show every night as I drive home. It's always interesting.

"...To people in Yemen who live under our bombs WE appear to be the terrorists..."

I did not listen to the article but if the quote is the underlying basis of the broadcast then sure one mans terrorists is another mans freedom fighter Who said one man's terrorist is another man's revolutionary . Nations have always responded to what they perceive as terrorists in this fashion to one extent or another. Post 911 anti terrorist actions have just become more overt and some might say brazen. Not making a judgement call just saying that is the way it is today.

Bob

I'm reminded of an expression my father often used, "Don't start no s**t and there won't be no s**t" Our footprint in the Middle East was virtually invisible until Kuwait was invaded. Then there was 9/11. Amazing how quick people are to condemn America while turning a blind eye to Jihadis at the risk of being accused of racism.

I'm unsure of the facts, just thought it was interesting. I understand wanting to do something about 911, but Kuwait? Does America go into every country that's invaded by another? I'm not saying that's wrong, just wondering. Anyway, seems this thread has got a LOT of comments so maybe it's too sensitive or just un-interesting.

Carl

Finally listened to the broadcast and I don't think the subject is un-interesting to people or at least should not be. Maybe people just don't want to confront the moral issues involved and would rather just not talk about it. There is more than enough food for thought and debate in that subject.

Bob

It's one thing to go into another country under a UN charter in order to stop the fighting.
But going into another country to start a fight is quite another. Ignoring the right or wrong: that kind of violence always gets back like a boomerang, which is why one man's terrorist is another man's hero.

I'd bet you're not getting as many takers because it's a thirty minute broadcast. I did listen to the first speaker.

My thoughts: I'm a bit bothered with the idea that there is a "kill list". And I'm even more bothered that American citizens can find themselves placed on it. I'm extremely bothered that this wasn't covered more extensively or fervently by "regular" TV news.

Is America the world police? Yes. Sadly, even if we pretended to keep our nose out of people's affairs, the underdog always comes running and asking for help. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. Every time I see some skirmish break out somewhere, the coverage of people asking for help vs. people telling us to mind our own business = zero sum. Now after we've come in and done whatever we did, then there's plenty of talking heads to pick it apart with the advantage of hindsight to guide their critique.

I think it'd be interesting if the US just sat back for a few years and said, "Ehh..You handle it.". Would some Americans probably die? Yes. Will some Americans probably die anyways? Yes. Is anything we do outside our realm of responsibility? Way too much of it, yes.

I do find it interesting that while the broadcast openly states we've been operating covertly since the fifties, "It's way worse now with Obama." lol. He's actually getting involved. Apparently, an engaged President is not what we want. In truth, Obama has become the scapegoat for every single disappointment a person can think up. Certainly he bears some responsibility in many things. But it's overly simplistic to hang his portrait on the yoke of all America's failures. We didn't get this way in 6 years.

The US has been intervening in other country's affairs since at least the Spanish American War (1898). Yet Roosevelt sits in Yellowstone, along with another few fellows. One of which was very highly despised by at least half of the US during his term in office.

I've probably gone on a tangent. But I've written enough to know that MOST people won't read it all anyways. lol.

The UN can go poop in their hats. If I was the King of Somewhere Hot, I'd pull the U.S. out of the UN and kick the lot of them out of our country and send them to Geneva where their Communist World Government ilk can feel more at home. The UN is a black hole full of gozillions of American dollars, dead and permanently maimed American kids. Why should we be obliged to beg permission from a committee of cowards to handle our damn business? I repeat line 1.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

The UN can go poop in their hats. If I was the King of Somewhere Hot, I'd pull the U.S. out of the UN and kick the lot of them out of our country and send them to Geneva where their Communist World Government ilk can feel more at home. The UN is a black hole full of gozillions of American dollars, dead and permanently maimed American kids. Why should we be obliged to beg permission from a committee of cowards to handle our damn business? I repeat line 1.

Geeeesh don't sugar coat it 10OldGI :<0) Oh,,, and let's not forget to pull out of the IMF and the World Bank too. I am all for helping people around the world and everywhere but not in a way that benefits banks and corporations first. Fighting is about control of resources and finances and has nothing to do with terrorists and evil dictators. We created those and still do. It cracks me up that WE a republic run around killing in the name of democracy. Something that we know does not work anymore than aristocracies or communism. Of course our republic needs some work to bring it back to what it was intended to be.

Not sure if I went off road here or not and sorry if I did. At least I didn't right a book :<0)

Originally Posted by regularjoe

I'd bet you're not getting as many takers because it's a thirty minute broadcast. I did listen to the first speaker.

My thoughts: I'm a bit bothered with the idea that there is a "kill list". And I'm even more bothered that American citizens can find themselves placed on it. I'm extremely bothered that this wasn't covered more extensively or fervently by "regular" TV news.

Yeah, it's a long broadcast, but worth listening to. There's actually two interviews there, the second one is unrelated to the topic.

I love the comment where he says '[Obama] fast forwarded to giving him the death penalty" or words to that effect. Everyone deserves some sort of a trial. I also was amazed by the comments on 'signature' killings, i.e. killing a group of youths because their actions make it appear that they 'may' be a threat in the future. I also like the question posed "How do you surrender to a drone?"

The problem with any police force, is that they tend to get scrutinised. I think many people want, rightly or wrongly, for police officers to be squeaky clean individuals. If America is the world's police man, then I think other countries look to America's actions and society and start analysing it. The question "What makes you so good that you can tell ME what to do/" gets asked. And it's a fair question. Also, a police force needs to address all unfair actions fairly and evenly and without bias, it can't pick and choose what actions it addresses and what it doesn't.

I often use the analogy where you find out your next door neighbour is bashing his wife; do you intervene? I'd like to say I would, but I'm also realistic and know i can't solve all the problems in my neighbourhood. America can't solve all the world issues, either. The more it 'meddles' the more it seems to get REALLY confusing. I keep hearing stories like "Well, they actually armed that guy against the Soviets you know, and now he's not their friend any more he's their enemy". At the same time you can't just ignore horrific world events, or can you?