Ken Brunt said:and you would replace it with what??? Is the UN too democratic for you?
To me the UN is useless. It's a soap box and gives legitimacy to every despot, thug, and dictator in the world today.
-Brian
Tim,
I hate to burst your delusional bubble but I am not a Republican nor am I a Democrat. I used to be an Independent but lately I’ve become more of an “Anti-Democrat”.
Your reference to German troops in WWII as being like the Japanese is not quite true. While there were fanatical Nazis the hard fighting at the end of the war was more due to trying to hold back the Russians for the sake of the German populace than because of fanaticism. Many a young German soldier lost his life to this end which was a type of honor and devotion to duty in spite of being the death throes of the Nazi regime. It’s a shame such courage had to be so wasted on a dictator interested only in his own power.
As to the Japanese, their devotion was to their Emperor. They were as tough of fighters as any in the world and probably wouldn’t have surrendered even after the bombs were dropped if they had thought it would mean death to the Emperor.
In the final analysis though people are just people and most want to live and to protect their families. There is no force or country on earth that can’t be defeated if the proper amount of force is applied at the proper time and in the proper manner. And of course no victory is ever possible if one is convinced they’ll lose before they even try.
There was no reason for WWII to have become as devastating as it was if the evil of Hitler had been addressed with courage and determination early on. When Hitler ordered his troops into the Rhineland in violation of WWI treaty he gave orders that if they were opposed by the French they were to turn around and come back. He clearly wasn’t strong enough to wage war yet and could have been stopped there and then. He wasn’t.
Appeasment doesn’t work. It would seem that too many people have forgotten the lessons of history and confuse negotiation with appeasment.
As to gassing Australian troops, that is an outrageous claim! Such a “test” could only have been carried out with the complicity of the Australian government and I don’t think that very likely.
Too, while it might be popular in many circles these days to portray Americans as big villians capable of doing such a thing just look back in history. Who waged war and never asked for reparatioins? Who spent millions of dollars to help rebuild their former enemies? Who honored a defeated nation’s culture enough to allow their Emporer to stay on. Who fed the world when much of it laid in ruins? Who is always first in line to offer a helping hand in time of disaster? Who gave former territories their freedom and independence without them having to fight for it? To even suggest that the US would murder Australians is an afront of the worst kind especially for a nation that punished its own troops for actions done in the heat of battle in Viet Nam and even relieved a WWII general for slapping a private.
Never has one country wielded so much power as the US did right after WWII and not taken military advantage of others with it.
Prior to WWII the US military was ranked below that of Portugal. Our nation vowed that never again would we be caught unprepared. The cold war ensued and took many years but a nuclear holocast was averted because of our ability to defend ourselves and not give in to appeasement. A lot better method than a hot war for sure but it wouldn’t have been possible without great resolve and considerable sacrifice.
I’ll leave you now to read your “Michael Moore Gospel Handbook of World History” while I for one prefer to remain in the real world.
Brian Donovan said:Ken Brunt said:and you would replace it with what??? Is the UN too democratic for you?
To me the UN is useless. It's a soap box and gives legitimacy to every despot, thug, and dictator in the world today.-Brian
Who said anything about replacing it? All I said was that it was useless. I don’t give much credence to the hot air that spews from it. If some people want to listen to all that hot air they’re free to do so.
I agree with Ken that the UN is less than useless, but it does make some people feel good. I just wish the USA didn’t have to spend so much of our tax dollars to support it. And on that thought, it is amazing to me how many people praise the lifestyle and economy’s of Nations that only have a minor defense system and rely on the muscle of the United States to keep them safe. Kind of like the Terrier barking like crazy with the Rottweiler standing behind him.
And as far as being called a “Redneck”, this is also a fun part of life as liberals, “fureners” and elitist think it is a cut and, yet, most “Rednecks” wear as a badge of honor.
Rock on Dudes.
Time to seriously play with trains and enjoy friendships.
Ric Golding said:That's reminiscent of America's proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine back in the 1820s - the Yankee terrier barking like crazy knowing the Royal Navy was right behind him. Great analogy!
It is amazing to me how many people praise the lifestyle and economy's of Nations that only have a minor defense system and rely on the muscle of the United States to keep them safe. Kind of like the Terrier barking like crazy with the Rottweiler standing behind him.
Compared to the US, most of the world’s people live in countries with minor defense systems. I’m one of them, and also one of many Australians who value our alliance with the United States while feeling not in the least reliant on it to keep Australia safe. I’m also aware of the contribution Pine Gap has made to keeping the US safe over the past several decades, and I hope that facility continues to do so long into the future.
I also know which country’s Army stopped the Japanese outside Pt. Moresby in 1942. I know which country’s Navy helped them do it. I know which country suffered the greatest number of fatalities, per capita, of any nation in WWI. I know which country was the great Arsenal of Democracy in WWII.
I know everyone needs friends, and I know that, to keep them, you need to respect them.
Tim, if you’re reading this, keep your posts coming. Maybe you can give our little mate here something that will help him find a way out of Jurassic Park.
Gentlemen: I have read with great interest all (most) of the posts and feel that it is time to go to the bottom line! One, if Senator Obama is elected my business will close on 31 December 2008. Two, any work done after that date will be cash and carry! Three, When the car bomb or Nuc goes off at the local Wal Mart or Safeway I do not want to hear any wining from the left or we will retire them early! Lastly, you get what you vote for so think very carefly before you vote this fall!
I would rather run trains any way!
Paul
E. Paul Austin said:
Gentlemen: I have read with great interest all (most) of the posts and feel that it is time to go to the bottom line! One, if Senator Obama is elected my business will close on 31 December 2008. Two, any work done after that date will be cash and carry! Three, When the car bomb or Nuc goes off at the local Wal Mart or Safeway I do not want to hear any wining from the left or we will retire them early! Lastly, you get what you vote for so think very carefly before you vote this fall!I would rather run trains any way!
Paul
Wow,
I would never base major decisions in my life on who was elected President. As for cash and carry, I should have started that about 8 years ago.
Ralph
Ric Golding said:
I agree with Ken that the UN is less than useless, but it does make some people feel good. I just wish the USA didn't have to spend so much of our tax dollars to support it. And on that thought, it is amazing to me how many people praise the lifestyle and economy's of Nations that only have a minor defense system and rely on the muscle of the United States to keep them safe. Kind of like the Terrier barking like crazy with the Rottweiler standing behind him.And as far as being called a “Redneck”, this is also a fun part of life as liberals, “fureners” and elitist think it is a cut and, yet, most “Rednecks” wear as a badge of honor.
Rock on Dudes.
Time to seriously play with trains and enjoy friendships.
I’m not a Republican, consider myself a redneck and I think the UN is useless. No, that does not mean I’m a Republican in denial.
“redneck” This is like the “N” word in that " Rednecks" can call each other or themselves “Redneck”. Use by anyone else is considered derogatory.
UN. This is just an expensive puppet show. I think the UN’s lack of effectiveness was well demonstrated during the Cold War period.
Ralph
Or in trying to bring Saddam or Akmaniwackjob to heel…
Ralph, When that person get into office you will need to hang on ral tite! it will be the wildest ride you have ever had. You see I turst him as far as I can throw a K the real one! Those of us on SSI will get in the shorts first!
Paul
Keep on running! Loco’s that is!
E. Paul Austin said:
Ralph, When that person get into office you will need to hang on ral tite! it will be the wildest ride you have ever had. You see I turst him as far as I can throw a K the real one! Those of us on SSI will get in the shorts first!Paul
Keep on running! Loco’s that is!
Paul,
Care to elaborate?
Ralph
Ken Brunt said:Brian Donovan said:Ken Brunt said:and you would replace it with what??? Is the UN too democratic for you?
To me the UN is useless. It's a soap box and gives legitimacy to every despot, thug, and dictator in the world today.-Brian
Who said anything about replacing it? All I said was that it was useless. I don’t give much credence to the hot air that spews from it. If some people want to listen to all that hot air they’re free to do so.
Good thing there is no CSPAN equivalent for the UN. Talk about hot air!
-Brian
Ralph, when JC was in office I beleive the inflation was about 20+% and you were paying that much on any loans you had, like credit cards of course you were getting nearly 20% on you savings and investment accounts too. If that happen now half the country will be in the poor house, standing on a corner selling apples - if they can get them! You see I remember JC and the interest I was paying and receiving, and that my father could not get a job in 1934 and 35 except at a Gas station and was glade of that. It took WW II to get us going again and we were in debit then! Yes I just may be a bit older than you.
Paul
My Dad got an 8 % mortgage in 1973.
My savings account paid 4% at that time.
Savings accounts are now 1%.
You would be surprised how many people are paying over 20% on credit cards today.
Many people have been put on “default” rates without having ever made a late payment or over charging their account.
About the same time they changed the bankruptcy laws the score for “good” credit was raised by 50 points knocking people into “default” rates which can be as high as 33.9%.
Bank of America alone did this to some 250,000 accounts.
Ralph
And Ralph that is why will never never ever deal with that bank! I was makeing that interest rate on my investment (abet small amount) during that period and then Mr Reagen got in the White house and went away.
Paul
Hmmmmmm … this is very interesting ( in a Laugh-In kind of way!). But it is perfect for one thing: next time someone “bitches” about a K-27 or even a LGB discussion, send him over here to have at it! 
:lol:
BTW on that UN problem: that could easily be solved … do away with the veto power and let’s see what happens on any given topic!
Oh and the other thing, suspend all those delinquent bums, who haven’t been paying their assessments, from voting on anything until they are paid up in full and members in good standing, instead of good talking! 
Dave H.,
as well as the Pine Gap installation, there is also the submarine early warning tower over at Port Headland, Western Australia (right in your own backyard). It is good to have friends, in other countries, because then you are able to install primary strategic targets in their backyards and not in yours, in the event of a first strike nuclear attack. Off hand, I cannot recall any strategic installations that we have installed in our friend’s backyard. As I said, it is good to have friendly neighbours prepared to sacrifice the safety of their own land for the sake of international friendship.
Believe me, we have plenty of strategic targets already in this country. Where I live there used to be a nike missle site about 5 miles away. That was back in the 50’s and 60’s, Then there was the Phila Navy base about 20 miles away, not to mention Wash, DC and NYC, 90 miles away but in opposite directions. Aberdeen proving grounds, Ft Dix, NJ, Andrews AFB, Willow Grove NAS, not to mention countless others, all within a 60 mile radius and all within 100 miles of our coastline.
Did you ever stop to consider that maybe, just maybe, those installations in AUS were deterrents to a missle attack? Didn’t think so. Besides, the fastest route from Russia to our country certainly wasn’t through AUS. Or the southern hemisphere. It was over the north pole. Ever hear of the DEW line?Missles would reach here a lot faster than they would get to AUS. to knock out those installations.
Ken,
the installations in our country are not for our benefit, but are purely for America’s global defence network. Both Pine Gap and Port Headland are vital for communication (Port Headland is for submarine communication, but Pine Gap is one of the nation’s top secret installations that few are privy to knowing its exact function) and are regarded as first strike strategic targets.
Ken Brunt said:I'm all for Tim having his say. On this issue, we disagree.
Did you ever stop to consider that maybe, just maybe, those installations in AUS were deterrents to a missle attack?
Anyone recall shelter drills? Bell goes off a certain way, you dive under the desks and don’t come out 'til you’re told you may. That was Grade One, early '50s.
Anyone recall air raid shelters? Deep in a subterranean basement, 44-gal drums full of water, and bikkies which you could nick if you were sneaky enough. That was high school, early '60s.
I help my friends out. That’s what happens with friends, give and take. As long as it’s mutual, it should never be a problem. If Aussies want the Yanks as friends, and vice versa, it’s give and take. And yes, sometimes that means saying, “Sorry, can’t do it.” That’s why I prefer Rudd’s approach to Australia-US relations over Howard’s.
Sure, an attack on Pine Gap might kill all the people there, both of them. An attack on Chicago, New York or LA is an order of magnitude different. I support anything we in Oz can do to prevent, or at least give prior warning about, such a horrible thing.