AZhitman wrote:
4) Diplomacy didn't work with Germany. It didn't work with Japan. And it's not working with those who seek to destroy us.
I am not sure about Germany, but the reason diplomacy did not work with Japan is because the people controlling the situation did not want it to work.
In short, the US government cornered Japan and Japan fought back (who wouldn't?), and similar circumstances are probably surrounding the event of 9/11.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was NOT intended to be a surprise attack, as every year more evidence is found showing numerous warnings of an impending attack, and additionally, it is not traditional nor was it considered honorable to attack a man from behind.
Japan's true purpose to attacking Pearl Harbor was to paralyze the US in the pacific so they could continue about their business, as well as advertise to the world that Japan could defeat the US in a FAIR heads-up battle in which both sides would have suffered heavy casualties.
Now critics will ask if I consider the Baton Death March honorable and my answer is no. BUT (morality aside), I would not consider such an act dishonorable to the Japanese name because the Japanese believed that a warrior who surrenders has no honor. and that is as far as that argument goes.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not claiming that Japan was a goody-two shoes during World War 2 (and i am glad that America defeated Japan in the end). I love this country, I just needed to detoxify some of the bulls*** people are fed in their History textbooks.
WDRacing wrote:As prior service I will always be biased towards making sure our troops are provided everything possible. On that line of thinking, why would you withhold forces and or equipment from the Soldiers/Sailors/Airman when you could just as easily provide them? Why would you ever hold back? Knowing full well that the "holding back" is costing lives and numerous tactical disadvantages. The "holding back" is also causing quit unnecessary loss of civilian life in the process. We made similar errors in the past under the Bush Admin and didn't learn from them.WD
I support our troops and everything they do for the people. But everything in the universe is required to be properly balances in order to achieve a state of equilibrium, correct? I am not saying Obama is doing the right thing, nor do i like the idea of our troops being killed, but by sending more troops/supply/etc, the guys at the other end of our guns will suffer more deaths, pushing the guys on the other side closer to the edge and further from achieving peace in the region. Perhaps BO understands this (perhaps not), and could be the reason as to why he has not yet made a decision.
But you are correct, a decision needs to be made quickly.
heliochrome85 wrote:I also see nothing wrong in "apologizing" for what the US has done in the past. How do you bring about a change in behavior when aggression and dismissal hasnt worked? You apologize for your past behaviors. The US has made some major mistakes in the past and im sorry to think that we are allowed the luxury or right to ignore those mistakes and the people they have hurt is just unreasonable. American dominance of the globe is on the wane. He has done more for the US in his 9 months than most presidents can hope to accomplish in their first term.
I welcome discussion and criticism of his policies, but in this case, like ive stated before, his domestic policies arent what are being rewarded. Its the clout and prestige he has used that is being rewarded. I for one, havent been this proud in a very long time.
1st part: I agree with 100%2nd part: Also agree and well stated.
BusyBadger wrote:The Motion Picture Academy is implementing a similar policy, Steven Spielberg is getting an Oscar in 2010 because he might make a film of quality in the next few years.
Now with the absurd comparison out of the way think about the plausible...
Imagine a new president or prime minister comes along that really turns a country around. He expands industrial production, slashes unemployment, makes great civil and infrastructure improvements in his country and instills a deep and genuine sense of pride in the nation. Additionally he emphasizes the importance of family, increases the standard of living for the middle and lower, sponsors architecture on a massive scale and has the Olympics hosted in his country.
Having actually demonstrated much more than mere potential, he has displayed results, would such a leader be deserving of an award like the Nobel Peace Prize? Odd thing, despite all those accomplishments Hitler never got one.
There's something to be said for patience and deliberation.
Ok, aside from hosting the Olympics in your country, what does promoting ones OWN country have ANYTHING to do with peace? And to the part about pride in ones country, it's not necessarily a bad thing, but when it gets carried out of hand, we may as well let a dictator point us in whatever direction he/she may please (like what Hitler was able to do.)
George Carlin once said, "Turns out sociopaths have a high sense of self-esteem." Sounds very Nobel and Peaceful doesn't it?(in the case where pride=self-esteem)
nissangirl74 wrote:Part 2 - Apologies are a useless waste of air. Actions are needed. When is the last time some other country committed a crime against us and apologized for it? If Bin Laden has called the WH and said, "Sorry Dude, my bad", I missed that press release.
The bottom line is this. The only hope Obama has for any respect in the USA or in the world, is to take care of his own people. You have to make sure your house is in order before you walk down the street b****ing about the neighbors and the fact that they don't have their s*** together.
This is a thread about his noble peace prize and not how good of a president he is/is not. Apologizing is a more effective way of dealing with a situation rather than letting pride blind you.
Obama will eventually need to tend his to his own people.
anyways i got tired of typing this post about the first paragraph in. My biggest point is keep your minds open, think of all the possibilities and circumstances and at least attempt to understand a situation before you make rock-solid judgments. I don't think Obama is doing the best so far, but maybe he's got a t88 under the hood and we jsut need to wait for it to spool before we see results.
sorry if my post is incoherent.
