"The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism" (Article, convention)

[Booko]

Originally Posted by FeathersinHair

I've been thinking about this, and the only thing I can think of might've been inferred as "Bush bashing" was responding to the proverb/ quote that Revessar was commenting with, if one thought that doing so was singling out Bush. I was more understanding the comment as applying to those who seek power (and not anyone in particular), but maybe that's how it was interpreted.

Perhaps, but that comment about those seeking power are not qualified to wield it would ring true in Baha'i circles as well, where we have elections, but no politics.

About the best way I can think of to ensure NOT getting elected to serve somewhere is to even hint that you might be interested. That would disqualify you on the spot, as it would show too much ego and a lack of judgement. No one would discuss it, naturally, but people would all come to pretty much the same conclusion on their own.

So it never occured to me it was anything more than a general statement.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't like Colin. Condo....probably more dissension with her. But, I have heard Colin in several interviews express that he is not interested in the presidency. Why is it that the men we feel we could trust aren't interested in the position? I've noticed that in the past. Does that say something about the job I wonder?

A character in a book I read once said: 'You don't put your trust in people who set themselves up as leaders, Miller. In religion, in politics, in the military, in business...the simple act of seeking high office is a signifier of a peculiar, unreliable, controlling, unpleasant pathology that means they shouldn't be allowed any kind of power.'
Ah, Mallory. I'm inclined to agree with him.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by kiwimac

The redefinition of Section 3 of the GCs will haunt America should it pass. Because it works BOTH ways, if it is no longer, in America's opinion an offense to torture others, it can no longer be an offense to torture US soldiers and citizens.

Perhaps some long, hard thought needs to be put in ... Oh God, what am I saying!

Yeah, it is a bit of a double edged sword, innit? I mean, if you want to be able to torture people, you can't really complain if others decide your people are fair game for the Chinese burns as well. Not that I imagine for a minute that small fact would stop any whining.
Interestingly, I'm reading a book written in part by a guy who was a US army interrogator in Afghanistan, and his standpoint seems to be that torture is an ineffective tool that serves to do little more than settle in the mind of the person copping it that everything they've been told is the complete truth.
Apparently some of the best intel comes from people who have to reassess their worldview when they realise that they're not going to get a battery wired to their nipples like they were told by their own blokes. Makes 'em question what other ******** stories they've been fed, apparently. Course,this is just what he does for a living...not like he's got any idea what he's on about.

[Sunstone]

Does anyone disagree with Powell that the world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of America's fight against terrorism?

[!Fluffy!]

Actually I wish I understood his motives and objections better, after reading the GC3 Article in question (which really is too vague) and Rice's letter.

As to world opinion, is there any doubt that America-bashing in general has been a fun international pastime for a while now?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Moon Woman

As to world opinion, is there any doubt that America-bashing in general has been a fun international pastime for a while now?

I think Americans tend to be hypersensitive at times to criticisms of America. There are moments when we act like buffoons incapable of distinguishing between an honest criticism of our country and mere bashing. Nearly every bimbo talk show host I've heard is guilty of that mistake at times. Just about eveyone who criticizes our involvement in Iraq supports us in Afghanistan: Is that genuine bashing?

If America looses it's moral authority in the war on terror with the world's leaders, the consequence will be that gaining anyone's cooperation with us in that war will cost us far more than it would otherwise. That includes gaining the cooperation of countries whose leadership is pro American. Moral authority is seldom or never the decisive factor in world politics, but a lack of it can and does increase the price that has to be paid for the cooperation of other countries.

[kai]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I think Americans tend to be hypersensitive at times to criticisms of America. There are moments when we act like buffoons incapable of distinguishing between an honest criticism of our country and mere bashing. Nearly every bimbo talk show host I've heard is guilty of that mistake at times. Just about eveyone who criticizes our involvement in Iraq supports us in Afghanistan: Is that genuine bashing?

If America looses it's moral authority in the war on terror with the world's leaders, the consequence will be that gaining anyone's cooperation with us in that war will cost us far more than it would otherwise. That includes gaining the cooperation of countries whose leadership is pro American. Moral authority is seldom or never the decisive factor in world politics, but a lack of it can and does increase the price that has to be paid for the cooperation of other countries.

i think moral fibre is the deciding factor in the coperation on the war on terror!