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Father and son, bedtime chat.
49 replies
xuxa said on August 3, 2003 17:30:
BRILLIANT!!!!
Santi said on August 3, 2003 15:00:
Great!! I agree on every point! :P Actually it’s been said many times that Bush himself says he’s a chosen person (by God, not the majority of Americans, cuz most Americans voted Al Gore... but as strange as democracy is, not the most voted wins...)... that’s quite scary...
LittleSpooky said on August 3, 2003 22:26:
I wonder how long it’s going to take the rest of the world to realize that this is a dead horse. What’s done is done. You can’t go back to change the past, so leave it alone. I’m tired of reading this garbage on the forum. I looked at the title, thought it might be something interesting, saw that it wasn’t, scrolled to the bottom and posted this.
This is also one of the reasons I’m still considering leaving the forum. You folks can’t leave it well enough alone.
Shane said on August 4, 2003 01:41:
Please be rational or at least be consistent.....
1) Saddam killed 1,000’s of people - why do you not condemn him on this site?
2) Chechen rebels blew up a hospital, killing 50+ people - why do you not harass them endlessly on this site?
3) Liberia’s President Taylor is blamed for 14 years of conflict in Liberia that has killed more than 100,000 people since 1989, and has been accused of trafficking and arming insurgents across much of the region - why do you not insult him endlessly?
It is very easy to hide behind your computer and criticize the U.S. on a Roxette website. Instead, why not do something to make the world a better place?
LittleSpooky said on August 4, 2003 05:12:
Shane: It’s easier to openly condemn America for their recent actions for the simple fact that America is an easy target. Adam is partly right when he says that the decisions made at the time were the only available options.
I put this question to all of you here, ESPECIALLY you Ferdan:
When you have to make a difficult decision about something, doesn’t matter what it is, do you go for what is right, or what is popular? Do you go for what makes you feel good, or what might possibly benefit down the road?
I’ll leave you all with a situation tonight that has happened to me. It may seem rather trivial and retarded, but it was one of the HARDEST things I’ve ever had to do:
Peter, was my cat. He was my pet, my friend, my companion. I’d had him for my senior year in high school and through the first couple of years of college. He’s moved with me from place to place. The apartment I just moved out of wouldn’t take pets without a substantial deposit, so I left him with my step-dad, and his “brother cat”, Solomon. Over the Memorial Day weekend, I worked at a convention, raising money for a local school. At the end of the convention, I called my step-dad to see what his plans were for the remainder of the weekend.
That’s when he told me that Peter was acting disinterested in things and sleeping a lot. I went up to the apartment and saw for myself. Peter was 11 years old. I’d picked him up and he felt very cold and was very lethargic. Picking up the phone, I called the Clinic and then took him in. After running a battery of tests, the options came down to this:
Kidney and heart failure were developing. Admit him to the hospital and see how he does overnight.
Take him home and wait and see.
Put him to sleep.
3 hours passed since I had brought him to the Clinic. I’d called my mom and had her come down. 45 minutes after that, the decision was made. I couldn’t be selfish and put Peter through all of the torture that was impending by making him live. I cried like a baby for the last hour and a half that Peter was alive. I couldn’t make that decision alone. Between my mom and I, we made the decision and it was done. I went home with my step-dad because I couldn’t be alone and I was too exhausted to drive him home and then go home myself. I miss Peter very much, but my new kitten, Satan, has the promise of being a very loving and loyal friend. I carry Peter’s old ID tag on my key ring, in loving memory.
That’s all I’ve got. I’m going to bed now, as I have to be up at 0-Dark-30 for work.
Ferdan said on August 4, 2003 08:21:
Sorry about your cat...
and yeh, it seems you made the right choice...
so, do the right choice and stay too...
And yeh, I was against the invasion of Iraq specially for the long term consecuencies...
the US gov commited for the first time in history of modern nations a “Preventive Strike”...
a strike against the concept of sovereignity of a nation and a strike against international conventions.
And being the first time of a preventive strike, so far... it looks to be flawed... the reason of this strike don’t seem to be backed up with the facts (still no WMD).
And the Iraq’s chances of long lasting democracy are little if Iraqis don’t gain it on their own... and that’s part of the principle of sovereignity.
Just look at the current social divisions or ethnics, dunno what to call them, the biggest minority wants an islamic oriented government... do you think the US gov wants that? no... will the USgov go for democracy in iraq? or it will try to set up a western like government even if the first minority of iraqis would like an islamic gov? the kurds want to be in power, or want to make their own state... and more...
does that look like an escenario that will be fixed in less than 2 or 3 years?... no... will the USgov leave iraq and leave those problems at Iraqi’s own will once an iraqi government is setup?........ and bla bla bla, there will allways be an American soldier in front of an oil source in iraq since now.
—–
“It is very easy to hide behind your computer and criticize the U.S. on a Roxette website. Instead, why not do something to make the world a better place?” by shane
and from what kind of flawed logic or circular logic you gather that if I post critics to the US in this forum means that i´m not doing anything to make the world better in “real life”... ? From what kind of flawed logic do you seem to think to know what I do to make the world a better place?
And Saddam, liberia’s president, and chechenian terrorist aren’t supposed to be the “good guys”...
they’re not a “democratic” government with double standards, or more*
and... you know that liberians been allways opressed by the gov, you and I know that saddam is a bastard... and that terrorists are bad, and like them there’s millions..
am I going to post a rant or an insult about each one of those millions of bad guys? you think there’s anyone here supporting those people?... i don’t think... so what would be the point?
Do we see chechen terrorist in this forum?... no
do we see Americans that will, at least, open a little... just a little is enough, the eyes... or pay more attention to what is NOT being said by the press or politicians in power? specially at voting time or public support....yes
*a little example of double standards..
we all know that the USgov supported Saddam in the war against Iran, not all of us knew what kind of support it was, later we knew it was loans and biological weapons (WMD)... just because saddam was the lesser of 2 evils...
what not everyone knew is that at the same time, the US was selling weapons to........ IRAN...
———
and to adam
doing “good” doesn’t give the right to do “bad”
Santi said on August 4, 2003 09:54:
Adam... the USA helped our fascist regime here in Spain (in the fifties), so maybe we should thank the USA for that...
Not to mention Pichonet, Noriega, Hussein and some others...
Santi said on August 4, 2003 09:57:
I just wonder what Americans would think if Russia as member of the security council would invade the country that has violated more times the UN Security Council Resolutions on their own against the vote of the Americans (cuz USA would always vote no against such a thing).
Oh, by the way, the name of that country is Israel...
Ferdan said on August 4, 2003 10:00:
“Carol Korreck sent the following letter to President Bush in May:
May 6, 2003
President Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Bush,
As I write this letter I feel a certain amount of futility. I received no acknowledgment when I first wrote in October, or with any of my subsequent correspondence.
But I realize I am not the only one that was shunned because of conflicting opinions on war with Iraq.
Almost 1000 combat veterans signed a letter sent to you March 10 requesting a personal meeting as they had experience in conflict and combat and you do not. They hoped you would be open to their wisdom and knowledge and freely offered their time and expertise but they received no response.
The Conference of European churches representing 125 Christian Churches also sent a letter dated February 19 and they never received a response to their request for a meeting.
As I watched footage of your landing on the U.S.S. Lincoln last week and listened to the speech about major combat being over, I found myself nauseated. While your political theatrics are being launched in hopes of getting the popularity polls up, paving the way for re-election, my son is still in danger in Baghdad.
Your feeble attempt at camaraderie with returning soldiers was patronizing in my opinion.
My son spent days pent up in a Bradley rushing across the Iraq desert and spent weeks on adrenaline, MRE’s and very little sleep trying to keep himself and his fellow soldiers alive.
My son will come back a 20-year-old combat veteran. Do not even try to pretend to have any regard for what he and his comrades have been through - the sights, the smells, the sounds they will have etched forever in their memories.
If research proves correct, from 1972-1973 when our country was at war and you were supposed to be an active member of the Texas Air National Guard there is an unexplained absence of over a year on your record of service? I believe that is called desertion.
A day after Congress passed a “Support the Troops” Resolution, you proposed a budget cut that slashes veteran benefits and health care. How dare you call yourself a supporter of the troops.
Your lack of support is pathetically obvious when you are betraying the very soldiers you have sent into combat. You call them heroes and try to stir up patriotism but tomorrow they will be forgotten heroes.
Why isn’t Sgt. Joe Hooper a household name? He earned 37 medals in Vietnam- the most decorated soldier of that war.
He is a forgotten hero, just like the veterans in the VA hospitals and those now suffering from the effects of agent orange or Gulf war syndrome and the soldiers who have been exposed to depleted uranium and who have sustained injuries that have left them with permanent disabilities.
Will they feel like heroes when they cannot get basic health care? It will soon become painfully clear to our new combat veterans how little value their commander in chief really places on the sacrifice they made for their country. Your actions speak much louder than your words. Your budget cuts show where your priorities are.
You will close your eyes at night and see $$$ as you reap the “back door” benefits of all the corporations making millions off this war. My son will most likely see images of mangled bodies, wounded children and major devastation. Army surgeons have come back to their troops to get supplies for the children’s hospital in Baghdad-collecting soaps and toiletries from the soldiers to take back to the doctors.
Where were the priorities placed? Bechtel, Carlysle, Halliburton- I guess there is no profit in humanitarian relief or basic aid would be further along.
People in the US are guilty of misplaced trust- in their political leaders, and in the media. Misguided ignorance may have put you in office, but my hope is that the American public begins to see itself as responsible for searching out the truth of the war in Iraq and the lies and manipulation we are being subjected to while covert agendas are being carried out by our country’s leaders.
To quote Andy Jacobs Jr., combat veteran and retired congressman in Indiana, ” To die for one’s country’s politicians as a campaign gimmick is to be victimized by a cold blooded atrocity etched in eternity.”
There is still no solid connection between Hussein and September 11. There are still no weapons of mass destruction. Anti American sentiment is growing stronger?while we are supposed to believe that our government is not “prepping” Iraq for leadership we can bribe and control. This administration seems to think it does not owe the American people, or for that matter, the world any explanation for what it does.
Might makes right may be how the bullies in the grade school parking lot justify their aggression, but is that how we now run our country? Political policy seems to be dictated by those with power and big pocketbooks. We don’t even have a democracy here, how can we help Iraq to create a democratic society?
I think Korean War veteran Wilson Powell spoke for many veterans and active duty soldiers when he said, “Wrapping myself in the flag and blindly following the lead of a man who has never served into the morass of an endless war is not my way of loving and serving my country.”
I am an American, proudly supporting the men and women who are and have served this country, but I will no longer cower to the fallacy that I must support my president as well.
Carol Korreck “
derek said on August 4, 2003 14:42:
@littlespooky you are so right .i also am getting tired of hearing the same crap on the off topic its like flogging a dead horse. people please let the damn war die in peace no matter what is said it wont change anything whats done is done try to forget and move on to new topics
StillFar said on August 4, 2003 15:47:
There’s no dead horse and it makes me want to vomit that people think like that. When Bush/Blair made their case, they based their ’right’ to invade a country on its weapons of mass destruction. Thousands died because of it. Now littlespooky and all you other guys, you think they don’t deserve that the arguments are backed up with evidence? It’s not the horse that’s dead, it’s Dr.Kelly. Your ignorance is disgusting!
coyboyusa said on August 4, 2003 16:57:
i’m gonna start a petition to have ferdaN BANNED from the forums this is annoying and unnecessary
Vixzter said on August 4, 2003 17:14:
*yawn*
*snore*
*wakes up*
*these sort of topics keep appearing at here*
*yawn*
*snore*
*stays asleep*
StillFar said on August 4, 2003 18:09:
coyboy, a petition? Because he’s not saying the things you like to hear? How pathetic is that?
LittleSpooky said on August 4, 2003 19:22:
StillFar: It’s not that we don’t want to hear it:
Why don’t you come do MY job for a day. I have to listen to this garbage day in and day out. I’m TIRED OF IT. I can’t go anywhere without seeing protesters, or hearing of the protests about this war.
YOU’RE INFRINGING ON MY BASIC RIGHTS BY POSTING THIS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t say anything at work because of the fact that it would look like my company is taking a stand one way or the other. My only sanctuary is here at home, and WAS here on TDR. But not any longer.
Ferdan: You tell me to do the “right thing” by staying. BULLSHIT! YOU DO THE RIGHT THING BY NOT POSTING THIS STUFF ANYMORE!!! What good does it do beyond starting the arguments? Psychologists categorise posts like this as “a cry for attention, in an otherwise desolate, unnoticed, unloved life”. This will be my last post and I pray to what ever God, Tree, Blade Of Grass, or Rock that people get the hint.
Ice water will be served in HELL before that happens.
StillFar said on August 4, 2003 19:42:
poor you littlespooky. Ok, let me tell you a story about myself. My dad’s german and growing up in Germany I was constantly confronted with issues about the second world war. Even today far away from Germany, I’m talking about the second world war with almost every person I get to know (not really because I would start the topic). Sweety, that’s 50 years ago and although it’s kind of frustrating to talk about things I haven’t even experienced, it’s good to do it, because you’re constantly remembered that what happened was wrong.
Right now we have a situation in which a majority of the world population at least doubts the politics of Bush/Blair and the conflict in Iraq. There haven’t been any answers to the questions people have...Right, what’s done is done, but you can’t just forget about justification and right/wrong or eliminate everything that goes against your politics.
Besides, considering that you’re US citizen, you should be the one asking the questions, because that’s your government representing you and giving your country an image....
Ferdan said on August 5, 2003 00:10:
If you don’t like protests, write to your congressman and ask him to not support future resolutions concerning wars and things like that.
Cry for attention?..... yeh why not, next time your country wages a war, you´re gonna think twice about supporting it...
same for you COY, and you really represent the ideals of American freedom of speech, keep it up COY!!
And it seems none of you read the letter of a mother about his son in Iraq... and about DU
and specially COY, you supported this war, now do the same for your troops, they’re suffering over there... and they’re getting kill by their own government... with DU weapons and low rations...
why aren’t you as passionate to defend them, like you were to defend Bush?
and anyway, It’s time to archive the topic...
months ago i wouldn’t believe you’d give up so easily.
BonBon said on August 5, 2003 05:58:
some people are so sensitive... they leave when things doesnt go their way.
coyboyusa said on August 5, 2003 11:57:
uh ferdan I never whole heartely supported this ” war” if you indeed wanna call it that. I don’t think we belong there and I never thought we did, just kike we don’t belong in liberia either. You were such a champion of united nations efforts..well where the hell are they now? I think your whole problem is you are so readily set on blaming all the worlds problems on americans. If were such horrible misguided people why does everyone wanan come to america ands ejoy the liberties afforded them by our constitution and laws. The arab world hates america supposedly, yet so many of the kids there wear american clothes , buy our music, yet when interviewd on TV they say they hate america and everything about. I don’t like hippocracy, I don’t like liars, and I don’t like antagonisst liek you ferdan who can’t just let some things die and move on. I think everyones concer about iraq right now should be getting the country up on its feet and getting america OUT of there. One day we’re gonna have a president who tells the whole would to go screw themselves and you know what, your all gonna miss the ” american cowboys” whjo came to help you peopel in times of disaster
Ferdan said on August 5, 2003 12:45:
The UN is not there because it is not allowed to be there.... the US forbiden the UN to send inspectors and troops....
and anyway
where did i blame Americans about the world’s problems?... i´m being punctual, i´m talking about iraq...
and no, i´m not the antagonist one... your current president is (“you’re either with them or with us”)
’cos i don’t think all americans are bad... just most of their leaders (not only politicians, cos they’re just a cover, another puppet)
if you think i´m antagonist you clearly didn’t pay attention to the old posts i made talking about your country’s policies.
and don’t buy that thing about “hates america”...
because most of the people, the smart people, knows the difference between a government and the people of a nation...
And not everyone wants to come to the US, mostly those misguided by a shallow vision...
and you talk like if the US were the only country with freedom and law... but that’s not the subject now.
And about the american cowboys, that one point of my posts, ask americans to stay with their own business and not mess with foreigner lives anymore...
Well, i appreciate that you expresed your opinion again in a somewhat mature way.
coyboyusa said on August 5, 2003 17:52:
well then if most peopel dont want to come to america thank god this country is overrun by close minded peopel like yourself ferdan...and you are an antagonist...the board was quiet till u started yet again. ANd not all of our leaders suck...and the un has been encouraged numeropus times to come to iraq...the un is refusing to send troops and aid till america leaves how hypocritial is that
harriej said on August 5, 2003 18:41:
Ferdan:
Brilliant piece of posting.
Off course it is good that the regime in Iraq has gone, but all the lies of Bush and co. need some reaction too.
Americans (not all off course, some will understand), buy a mirror and take a look at yourself before judging the rest of the world (germany, france etc.).
Also please watch Michael Moore’s documentary “Bowling for Columbine”.
This might be an eye-opener.
derek said on August 5, 2003 19:09:
@stillfar .you should watch out with your big mouth think yourself very lucky that you have never had to fight in a war and how is it that all.the young guys think they know everything about wars wheather its irak/iran/ww2.this of topic would be a lot better off without the topics over wars and politiciens and my ignorance who the fuck do you think that you are.and its your attitude that is whats disgusting
coyboyusa said on August 6, 2003 16:15:
all this thread proves is that no matter how far technology advances humans as a race still suck...thank god I don’t come from earth
coyboyusa said on August 6, 2003 16:17:
oh and as for that other anti american comment up here...america helped rebuild most of europe during and after ww2 so maybe alot of you peopel better rethink where you would all be had america stayed out of ww2...right now alot of you would be ash at the bottom of an over of about 3 feet under in some horrific mass grave...americans sucks but ur so happy when we’re there when U need us...LOL HYPOCRITES!
StillFar said on August 6, 2003 16:55:
derek, I don’t think I offended anyone. To stand against war, is my right as a human. Actually I don’t think it’s only my right, it’s my obligation. No, I’ve never been in a war, but I’m not really sure if that’s required. I can see people suffering without suffering myself, where is the sense in what you’re saying?
According to you, we all should just sit down and let other people decide how our future will look like, what democracy and justification becomes...Maybe that’s the right way for you, but it isn’t the right way for me. Would be interesting how you would view the issue, when some day some politician thinks that he can attack your country without any international approval nore any valid argument to back up his actions...
btw, I’m not sure if you follow the news derek, there’s no dead horse, people are still dying each day but who gives a f...
derek said on August 6, 2003 19:45:
well iv tried twice to post something to you Stillfar but it hasnt worked i have seen war iv seen the aftermath thats why im indifferent to it so you will excuse me if i think different than you you have a right to do what you feel is good but i just think that war should be left of this topic if you wish to know more of how i think e-mail me
derek said on August 6, 2003 19:50:
coyboyusa who is the hypercrit you wasnt even thought of then and what gives you the right to mouth of over what usa done for us in the 2ww boy you have a chip on your shoulder and a lousy attitude grow up
coyboyusa said on August 7, 2003 13:33:
i dont have to be born during that era to know what it was like. my grandmother was a medical technician during ww2 and she told me how horrible it was...i just understand you peopel and your inherent necessity to be 2 faced. ....on one hand u make maericans sound as bad as saddam hussein, on the other hand u want us to be the police of the world....you can’t have it both ways my friend...chip on my shouldewr...nah my shoulder isn’t chippped lol
derek said on August 7, 2003 15:31:
hey coyboy.well your grandmother saw action so did my father he faught along side you guys but all iv heard is how america won the war and saved the world perleazzzzzzzzze.you guys came in the last yrs of the war where as my father was up to his aars in blood and mud yrs before i am not two faced i didnt ask the yanks to police the world your politicians did so get you head out of the clouds ok.as far as im concernd you can all jump in the lake i dont need you thank you very much
derek said on August 7, 2003 15:40:
stillfar i was born just after the war but i have seen other wars i have seen the suffering and death sure i hate war who doesnt but all this talk of whoes fault it is and why isnt going to change anything is it ? i do know how you feel .we would like to do some thing we would like to make changes but politicians do not listen to you or i.so why should we get angry at each other just because of a differense of opinion?or how we feel about wars
coyboyusa said on August 8, 2003 01:13:
american supplied eurpe with the armamanet and bodies to end the war....the only thing that stopped hitler in russia was weather .....god we all know history.....besides u dont wanna imagine a world under hitler with ferdan as his love slave
Ferdan said on August 8, 2003 03:19:
I´d ask GW Bush jr. about “mr.” Prescott Bush, his grandpa with business with the Nazis (before and even after the US intervention in WW2), some other US corporations in general were already projecting business with the nazis in case they conquered europe...
if it wasn’t for perl harbour, the US wouldn’t have given a sh1t about hitler conquering europe.
Argentina asked the US 2 times to brake neutrality, and it was rejected both of them...
and if you have any doubts ask google.com about “prescott bush nazi”
*edit*
umm, interesting reading
“How the Bush family made
its fortune from the Nazis”
http://www.baltech.org/lederman/bush-nazi-fortune-2-09-02.html
derek said on August 8, 2003 14:54:
no further comment this topic is sad things are being said which you have only read from books
coyboyusa said on August 10, 2003 18:13:
america was involved in protecting british shipping lines in the atlantic long before pearl harbour go back and read your history
derek said on August 10, 2003 19:14:
coyboyusa .drop this topic ok like i say you are just repeating yourself from books
Ferdan said on August 11, 2003 06:50:
“Dec 7, 1941 - Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor; Hitler issues the Night and Fog decree.
Dec 8, 1941 - United States and Britain declare war on Japan.
Dec 11, 1941 - Germany declares war on the United States. “
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/ww2time.htm
coyboyusa said on August 11, 2003 19:15:
no i am stating a fact ...america had a small role in the war agauinst hitler until pearl harbour...but to claim we had no role prior to then is bollocks. Noone except the europeans truly knew of what hitler was doing to jews gays and other relioions except europe and for some reason they didnt disclose it until america was fully involved in the war...you peopel are so hell bent on making americans out to be this world enemy you dont want to acknowledge what the world would have been like had america just sat home and defended her own ass.....out altruism helped the world topple a lunatic ..oh and if youy want me to drop the topic maybe some people should stop posting them then
derek said on August 12, 2003 09:29:
true but i didnt start this topic did i i posted a answer thats all its you who started all the mud slingen
Ferdan said on August 12, 2003 09:57:
“Noone except the europeans truly knew of what hitler was doing.....” by cb
nop sorry
“U.S. Knew About Holocaust Sooner -
A declassified U.S. intelligence document sheds new light on the longstanding question of how much the West knew about Hitler’s plans for the Holocaust and when they knew it.
The translated copy of a November 1941 dispatch filed by a Chilean diplomat serving in Prague, tells of German plans to eradicate the Jews, the National Archives and Records
Administration said Monday. “
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/02/national/main299399.shtml
coyboyusa said on August 12, 2003 19:34:
i’m talking in terms of a general populous consensus.....americans as a whole were reluctant to joint he war cause they saw it as europes was...thats why alot of american companies were going to do business with hitler....once the atrocities were shed light on in a public forum the necessity to join the war was a given
Ferdan said on August 3, 2003 08:03:
Q: Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?
A: Because they had weapons of mass destruction.
Q: But the inspectors didn’t find any weapons of mass destruction.
A: That’s because the Iraqis were hiding them.
Q: And that’s why we invaded Iraq?
A: Yep. Invasions always work better than inspections.
Q: But after we invaded them, we STILL didn’t find any weapons Of mass destruction, did we?
A: That’s because the weapons are so well hidden. Don’t worry, we’ll find something, probably right before the 2004 election.
Q: Why did Iraq want all those weapons of mass destruction?
A: To use them in a war, silly.
Q: I’m confused. If they had all those weapons that they planned to use in a war, then why didn’t they use any of those weapons when we went to war with them?
A: Well, obviously they didn’t want anyone to know they had those weapons, so they chose to die by the thousands rather than defend themselves.
Q: That doesn’t make sense. Why would they choose to die if They had all those big weapons with which they could have fought back?
A: It’s a different culture. It’s not supposed to make sense.
Q: I don’t know about you, but I don’t think they had any of those weapons our government said they did.
A: Well, you know, it doesn’t matter whether or not they had those weapons. We had another good reason to invade them anyway.
Q: And what was that?
A: Even ifIraqdidn’t have weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein was a cruel dictator, which is another good reason to invade another country.
Q: Why? What does a cruel dictator do that makes it OK to Invade his country?
A: Well, for one thing, he tortured his own people.
Q: Kind of like what they do in China?
A: Don’t go comparing China to Iraq. China is a good economic competitor, where millions of people work for slave wages in sweatshops to make U.S. corporations richer.
Q: So if a country lets its people be exploited for American corporate gain, it’s a good country, even if that country tortures people?
A: Right.
Q: Why were people in Iraq being tortured?
A: For political crimes, mostly, like criticizing the government. People who criticized the government in Iraq were sent to prison and tortured.
Q: Isn’t that exactly what happens in China?
A: I told you, China is different.
Q: What’s the difference between China and Iraq?
A: Well, for one thing, Iraq was ruled by the Ba’ath party, while China is Communist.
Q: Didn’t you once tell me Communists were bad?
A: No, just Cuban Communists are bad.
Q: How are the Cuban Communists bad?
A: Well, for one thing, people who criticize the government in Cuba are sent to prison and tortured.
Q: Like in Iraq?
A: Exactly.
Q: And like in China, too?
A: I told you, China’s a good economic competitor. Cuba, on the other hand, is not.
Q: How come Cuba isn’t a good economic competitor?
A: Well, you see, back in the early 1960s, our government Passed some laws that made it illegal for Americans to trade or do any business with Cuba until they stopped being
communists and started being capitalists like us.
Q: But if we got rid of those laws, opened up trade with Cuba, and started doing business with them, wouldn’t that help the Cubans become capitalists?
A: Don’t be a smart-ass.
Q: I didn’t think I was being one.
A: Well, anyway, they also don’t have freedom of religion in Cuba.
Q: Kind of likeChina and the Falun Gong movement?
A: I told you, stop saying bad things about China. Anyway, Saddam Hussein came to power through a military coup, so he’s not really a Legitimate leader anyway.
Q: What’s a military coup?
A: That’s when a military general takes over the government of a country by force, instead of holding free elections like we do in the United States.
Q: Didn’t the ruler of Pakistan come to power by a military coup?
A: You mean General Pervez Musharraf? Uh, yeah, he did, but Pakistan is our friend.
Q: Why is Pakistan our friend if their leader is illegitimate?
A: I never said Pervez Musharraf was illegitimate.
Q: Didn’t you just say a military general who comes to power by Forcibly overthrowing the legitimate government of a nation is an Illegitimate leader?
A: Only Saddam Hussein. Pervez Musharraf is our friend, because he helped us invade Afghanistan.
Q: Why did we invade Afghanistan?
A: Because of what they did to us on September 11th.
Q: What did Afghanistan do to us on September 11th?
A: Well, on September 11th, nineteen men - fifteen of them Saudi Arabians - hijacked four airplanes and flew three of them into buildings, killing over 3,000 Americans.
Q: So how did Afghanistan figure into all that?
A: Afghanistan was where those bad men trained, under the oppressive rule of the Taliban.
Q: Aren’t the Taliban those bad radical Islamics who chopped off people’s heads and hands?
A: Yes, that’s exactly who they were. Not only did they chop off people’s heads and hands, but they oppressed women, too.
Q: Didn’t the Bush administration give the Taliban 43 million dollars back in May of 2001?
A: Yes, but that money was a reward because they did such a Good job fighting drugs.
Q: Fighting drugs?
A: Yes, the Taliban were very helpful in stopping people from growing opium poppies.
Q: How did they do such a good job?
A: Simple. If people were caught growing opium poppies, the Taliban would have their hands and heads cut off.
Q: So, when the Taliban cut off people’s heads and hands for Growing flowers, that was OK, but not if hey cut people’s heads and Hands off for other reasons?
A: Yes. It’s OK with us if radical Islamic fundamentalists cut off people’s hands for growing flowers, but it’s cruel if they cut off people’s hands for stealing bread.
Q: Don’t they also cut off people’s hands and heads in Saudi Arabia?
A: That’s different. Afghanistan was ruled by a tyrannical patriarchy that oppressed women and forced them to wear burqas whenever they were in public, with death by stoning as the
penalty for women who did not comply.
Q: Don’t Saudi women have to wear burqas in public, too?
A: No, Saudi women merely wear a traditional Islamic body covering.
Q: What’s the difference?
A: The traditional Islamic covering worn by Saudi women is a modest yet fashionable garment that covers all of a woman’s body except For her eyes and fingers. The burqa, on the other hand, is an evil tool of Patriarchal oppression that covers all of a woman’s body except for her Eyes and fingers.
Q: It sounds like the same thing with a different name.
A: Now, don’t go comparing Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are our friends.
Q: But I thought you said 15 of the 19 hijackers on September 11th were from Saudi Arabia.
A: Yes, but they trained in Afghanistan.
Q: Who trained them?
A: A very bad man named Osama bin Laden.
Q: Was he from Afghanistan?
A: Uh, no, he was from Saudi Arabia too. But he was a bad man, a very bad man.
Q: I seem to recall he was our friend once.
A: Only when we helped him and the mujahadeen repel the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan back in the 1980s.
Q: Who are the Soviets? Was that the Evil Communist Empire Ronald Reagan talked about?
A: There are no more Soviets. The Soviet Union broke up in 1990 or thereabouts, and now they have elections and capitalism like us. We call them Russians now.
Q: So the Soviets - I mean, the Russians - are now our friends?
A: Well, not really. You see, they were our friends for many years after they stopped being Soviets, but then they decided not to Support our invasion of Iraq, so we’re mad at them now. We’re also mad at the French and the Germans because they didn’t help us invade Iraq either.
Q: So the French and Germans are evil, too?
A: Not exactly evil, but just bad enough that we had to rename French Fries and French toast to Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast.
Q: Do we always rename foods whenever another country doesn’t Do what we want them to do?
A: No, we just do that to our friends. Our enemies, we invade...
Q: But wasn’t Iraq one of our friends back in the 1980s?
A: Well, yeah. For a while.
Q: Was Saddam Hussein ruler of Iraq back then?
A: Yes, but at the time he was fighting against Iran, which made him our friend, temporarily.
Q: Why did that make him our friend?
A: Because at that time, Iran was our enemy.
Q: Isn’t that when he gassed the Kurds?
A: Yeah, but since he was fighting against Iran at the time, we looked the other way, to show him we were his friend.
Q: So anyone who fights against one of our enemies automatically becomes our friend?
A: Most of the time, yes.
Q: And anyone who fights against one of our friends is automatically an enemy?
A: Sometimes that’s true, too. However, if American Corporations can profit by selling weapons to both sides at the same time all the better.
Q: Why?
A: Because war is good for the economy, which means war is good for America. Also, since God is on America’s side anyone who opposes war is a godless unAmerican Communist. Do you understand now why we attached Iraq?
Q: I think so. We attacked them because God wanted us to, right?
A: Yes.
Q: But how did we know God wanted us to attack Iraq?
A: Well, you see, God personally speaks to George W. Bush and tells him what to do.
Q: So basically, what you’re saying is that we attacked Iraq because George W. Bush hears voices in his head.
A: Yes! You finally understand how the world works, Now close your eyes, make yourself comfortable, and go to sleep. Goodnight.
Goodnight daddy.