todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) (06/27/85)
In response to all the ultra-imperialistic solutions to the current hostage crisis, I must remind y'all that military might just ain't what it used to be. Sure, we're stronger than ever-we could reduce the entire middle east to a glowing crater without noticeably depleting our nuclear inventory. But anyone who thinks we can rescue our hostages without sentencing them to death, or without incurring immense ammounts of political embarassment is naive. Anyone who suggests we should meet the hostages demands is asking for replay after replay of the same activity. Sure, the Shiites have a legitimate gripe and we are supporters of Israel, but negotiating with terrorists only solves the short term problem while exacerbating the long term problem. The lesson to learn is not "those Moslems are totally insane." What we need to learn is that as members of the international community, our actions affect others and we should consider the ramifications of our actions beyond the immediate effects on America. We must show patience. We mustn't attempt a foolhardy rescue mission. We mustn't condone terrorism by negotiating with the Shiites. We must work on improving our image in the world. We are presently perceived as one of two imperialistic bullies (Don't forget Russia). Military strength will no longer give us an image of respectibility. A humanitarian foreign policy will. Let's stop leeching resources from our global neighbors and start caring. The preceding opinions are, in all likelihood, those of Todd Jones. However, these opinions will, in all certainty, bear scant resemblance to the opinions of SCI Systems, Inc., Mr. Jones' employer. ||||| || || [ O-O ] Todd Jones \ ^ / {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd | _ | |___| FLAME ME IF YOU DARE!
mms1646@acf4.UUCP (Michael M. Sykora) (06/29/85)
>/* todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) / 6:35 pm Jun 26, 1985 */ >Military strength will no longer give us an image of respectibility. >A humanitarian foreign policy will. The reason we need military strength is not for image respectability, but for safety. Who gives a damn about image respectability? Image in whose eyes? Don't forget that the majority of the world's governments are controlled by people with no scruples. Besides, the important thing is to be respectable (so that we CAN respect ourselves), not to look respectable. If what you mean is by "humanitarian foreign policy" is to treat peoples around the world with a common respect due all human beings who don't destroy this respect, I agree. But if waht you mean is that we should give more foreign aid, then you need to present theoretical reasons and empirical evidence that this policy makes sense, since the both theory and history go against it. >Let's stop leeching resources from our global neighbors and start caring. Who's leeching? EVIDENCE? > [ O-O ] Todd Jones Mike Sykora
todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) (07/04/85)
> >/* todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) / 6:35 pm Jun 26, 1985 */ > > >Military strength will no longer give us an image of respectibility. > >A humanitarian foreign policy will. > > The reason we need military strength is not for image respectability, but > for safety. Who gives a damn about image respectability? Image in whose In international politics, image is everything. The image of America is, for the most part, the image of democracy. If we are to present an image of democracy that is just, fair, and moral, America must appear to be just, fair, and moral. If we insist on projecting an image of Uncle Sam, neighborhood bully, we erode credibility for democracy and we invite hostility from our neighbors. The reason America is so hated is because America is perceived as being aggressive and greedy in its dealings with other nations. > by people with no scruples. Besides, the important thing is to be > respectable (so that we CAN respect ourselves), not to look respectable. Isn't world opinion irrelevant? > > If what you mean is by "humanitarian foreign policy" is to treat peoples > around the world with a common respect due all human beings who don't > destroy this respect, I agree. Close, but not quite. I'll explain later. > But if waht you mean is that we should > give more foreign aid, then you need to present theoretical reasons > and empirical evidence that this policy makes sense, since the both > theory and history go against it. > Foreign aid has been used as a panacea for the damage done by capitalist and communist exploitation. It's clear America, and Russia to a lesser extent, have enjoyed the use of many countries' resources without regard to the citizens of the exploited countries. > >Let's stop leeching resources from our global neighbors and start caring. > > Who's leeching? EVIDENCE? Dole Del Monte Gulf + Western Every other multinational "agribusiness" All the companies have bought land from the rulers of third world countries in exchange for excessive weaponry so the companies could take resources out of the country and feed Americans more exotically. Since the standard of living is so much higher here, the food brings more money when sold here. Citizens from the exploited country no longer have arable land once agribusiness has practiced quick profit farming techniques, Citizens of those countries starve, their debts increase, the only way to pay off debts is to increase exports, more people starve, etc... Finally some communist county opportunistically plants seeds of revolt and...BINGO another country under the oppression of communism. The above scenario has happened throughout Central and South America, Africa, anywhere greedy people can make a fast buck. > > > [ O-O ] Todd Jones > > Mike Sykora The preceding opinions are, in all likelihood, those of Todd Jones. However, these opinions will, in all certainty, bear scant resemblance to the opinions of SCI Systems, Inc., Mr. Jones' employer. ||||| || || [ O-O ] Todd Jones \ ^ / {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd | _ | |___|
mms1646@acf4.UUCP (Michael M. Sykora) (07/05/85)
>/* todd@SCIRTP.UUCP (Todd Jones) / 8:03 pm Jul 3, 1985 */ >The image of America is, for the most part, the image of democracy. >If we are to present an image of democracy that is just, fair, and >moral, America must appear to be just, fair, and moral. If we >insist on projecting an image of Uncle Sam, neighborhood bully, >we erode credibility for democracy and we invite hostility from >our neighbors. One good way to avoid such image problems would be to behave justly, fairly, etc. and not like a neighborhood bully. >The reason America is so hated is because America >is perceived as being aggressive and greedy in its dealings with >other nations. Because some hate America does not mean that it is "so hated." Despite a lot of negative publicity, it appears that people the world over still dream of coming here. > >Let's stop leeching resources from our global neighbors and start caring. > > Who's leeching? EVIDENCE? Dole Del Monte Gulf + Western Every other multinational "agribusiness" >All the companies have bought land from the rulers of third world countries >in exchange for excessive weaponry so the companies could take resources >out of the country and feed Americans more exotically. And who is then guilty of exploitation? These rulers, primarily. >The above scenario has happened throughout Central and South America, >Africa, anywhere greedy people can make a fast buck. And anywhere ruthless dictators are supported by the U.S. on the premise that they are keeping communism out. > [ O-O ] Todd Jones Mike Sykora