Ok.

We are in Iraq, Iran will possibly have nuclear weapons within the next two years, and it is possible N Korea could be fairly close if not already there. We are distracted in Iraq, so what do we do?

THIS THREAD IS NOT ABOUT CUT AND RUN OR BUSH'S POLICY ON IRAQ OR WHETHER OR NOT IT IS AN ILLEGAL WAR! Instead I want to hear what you think about what can be done with the current situation we HAVE to live with.

bhayne

These little dictatorship countries like North Korea, Veneswela and Iran don't care about winning. They just want to be heard.

We've seen with Sadam how much they are willing to risk!!

Starman

A third world war would involve many more countries than just Venezuela, Iran and Korea. That's why it's called a world war. Also, if indeed all these countries want is to be heard, then they really don't pose much of a threat and you would need to logically conclude that the president's reaction to them is unwarranted. Right?

About Sadam, I hope that you are aware that he was once a USA ally and that the USA helped him in his war against Iran by providing his regime with military aid. This was when Sadam was doing all the crimes he is going to be hanged for now. Isn't that a bit weird?

bhayne

Humm... Japan and Germany ring a bell?

Of course if Japan had nuclear arms and no one else did, I'd probably be speaking and writing Japanese right now!!

Morganite

Ignorance is the cause, education is the answer. The American school system has to take much of the blame for ignorabnce of other countries and cusotms and cultures. Mr Bush was surprised to learn how far away China was!<br><br>If a country embarks on imperialist adventures, it ought to know where it is going, what to expect, and something about the people it is conquering or influencing.<br><br>Likewise, a country that proclaims itself "The Melting Pot of Nations" ought to be conversant with much more than the lint in its own navel, and should understand the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim, apart from the obvious fact that the majority of each has darker skins than the average American. <br><br>Sitting in the dark and guessing who is who and what whilst holding a loaded hair triggered AK47 and nervously twitching to take a pot shot at anything one thinks could, perhaps, look like, or resemble, somewhat, an enemy is no way to live a full and rich life nor&nbsp; make a significant contribution to one's family, neighborhood, nation, or to the wider world.&nbsp; <br><br>Education admits light into darkness, and dispels fear, prejudice, and bigotry.<br><br>M<br><br><br>

Starman

Certainly, I agree 100% The educational system is to blame for citizen ignorance.
Unfortunately if the problem isn't perceived as such it will never be addressed. I personally don't detect any particular concern in that area. I guess when people aren't at the receiving end of the ignorance-motivated behaviors they tend not to notice such things--and the majority of the ignorant and those who are contributing to the perpetuation of the ignorance are not.

BTW
Bush really said he didn't know where China was? Just where did he say he thought it was?

The HTML <> doesn't work on this website. Try [ ]
That will fix the problem. It did for me at least.

talaniman

How about the american press? I think they go a long way in feeding us facts the politician and the big interests want us too know and then give us the truth after they have gotten what they want and its too late to do anything about it. Weapons of mass destruction, my a$$. Love to see the sweet deal some fat oil people wll get when the sand clears.

Starman

Bush claims that he himself was misinformed.
I think some of the ones responsible for misinforming him resigned.
As for misleading press, true, the press sometimes misleads and I'm sure it does so sometimes under government pressure. Once something is tagged as a national security risk the press has to buckle under. For example, suppose the press is told that we are about to be hit by a comet and there's nothing we can do. The government might order the press not to reveal this for trhe sake of national security. Otherwise a panicked population might begin wreaking havoc. It all boils down to the citizen'e right to know vs the national interests.

Morganite

You could say exactly the same about GW Bush.

bhayne

These small dictatorship contries are all led by fear.

Ask yourself, does Bush lead by fear???