The Human Animal (Animals)

by David Turell , Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 18:08 (5274 days ago) @ dhw


>In my view the Iraq war was aggressive and evil. We needn't argue about that, because I'm simply explaining the answer I'm about to give. I would not call your friend antisocial or evil. He may have believed that he was fighting a just cause (which would make him a hero). If he didn't, he will judge himself. Nor would I say the invasion was caused by the fact that soldiers obey orders, or that there is an Iraqi group and an American/British group. The SOURCE of what I subjectively consider evil was the decision by Bush, Blair, and other individuals that the invasion should take place. If they had not given the order, there would have been no invasion, and your friend would not have killed anyone.-This sounds like the Anthony Eden approach to the world, and only Churchill constantly warning about appeasing. You don't realize you are reliving the 1930's all over again, and should have learned from it. The ineffectual UN, a worthless group, is really appeasing Iran. At least the USA is on both sides of Iran to contain it for the moment. Israel is the only friend the West has in the Arab Middle East. If Iraq develops as a semi-democracy, we in the West will be able to control the Wahabi sect, while sucking oil from the Saudis.-And just a note about oil. The Gulf is loaded with oil, both just off shore and in deep water off the continental shelf. Until now the fear of a spill caused the US goverment, in its stupidity, to prevent close to shore drilling, which is easier to do and more controllable in a leak. BP was forced to drill at 5,000 feet. They appear to have cut some corners to reduce cost. I live just outside Houston, the oil capital of the world. It is fascinating to hear the discussion here. The 6-month Obama deep water drilling ban is completely political theater,and all seven advisors from the energy sector, as reported in the Houston Chronicle told him not do do it. Floating rigs will leave and go overseas to keep their businesses afloat. -Both of the two above paragraphs are totally related. The World approach to foreign relations is called the 'reality approach', which means live with the dictators who don't bother you too much, and our State Dept. is the worst player of that game. Europe, other than the UK, has no military. Russia has military, somewhat controlled at the moment. The UN is useless, so the USA is the world policeman. And doing the job hampered by liberal policies from the past. The use of oil as a major energy source will continue, despite wishful thinking. Alternatives are not really developed as yet. That will take much (how much is unknown) time. Put this all together in your thinking.