I struggle with the idea that the US has committed atrocities that pale those of China. We (the US) live under a global microscope. Every action (or inaction) that we are complicit to is vigorously dissected in the world court of opinion. And, many of these opinions are proffered by groups and/or individuals that need to find fault/blame in our complicities to justify their geopolitical position.
The "unfree press" that exists in many of the country/states that are the most vocal opposition to all things American are simply tools to continue the mind-herding of the subjects of their power structure - their populations. The atrocities that are committed by these countries/states are not subject to the scrutiny of the world, because the world has no eyepiece (the press and freedom of information) to moderate their governments and regimes. Severely depressed human rights become a mode of operation for those that wish to retain their power. If all you have known for 10 generations is repression and cruelty - your norm - than what becomes abnormal? If a high percentage of your population would book to the US if it was possible, then how to tame that dragon? Misinformation.
As for he examples offered as to the scale of atrocity performed by our country, although many will disagree that some of the specific items mentioned are or aren't atrocities, they are bear a common thread - our government's undying protection of corporate profits and the resultant political contributions that come from these acts of protectionism. Our history is rife with cases of "we know what's best for everybody". But, notice that they are all bared to the world and our populace to be analyzed. In theory, education cures ignorance. Hopefully our education as residents of this country would eventually make us less ignorant to the things our elected officials do. It is shameful that the politicos feel we are such sheep that they can make decisions about the world without knowing more about what we the people think/feel.
I would challenge anyone to show an example of any accurate and factual, even if it is politically biased, recounting of the current history of China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, et al. Even better, show me the opposing localized viewpoints to that history. Can we pick up a copy of the Tehran Times and read about the oppression of women's rights in Iran?
Ignorance is curable by education - stupidity is a disease. We can all use a dose of the cure every now and then.
Slashdot Mirror
I struggle with the idea that the US has committed atrocities that pale those of China. We (the US) live under a global microscope. Every action (or inaction) that we are complicit to is vigorously dissected in the world court of opinion. And, many of these opinions are proffered by groups and/or individuals that need to find fault/blame in our complicities to justify their geopolitical position.
The "unfree press" that exists in many of the country/states that are the most vocal opposition to all things American are simply tools to continue the mind-herding of the subjects of their power structure - their populations. The atrocities that are committed by these countries/states are not subject to the scrutiny of the world, because the world has no eyepiece (the press and freedom of information) to moderate their governments and regimes. Severely depressed human rights become a mode of operation for those that wish to retain their power. If all you have known for 10 generations is repression and cruelty - your norm - than what becomes abnormal? If a high percentage of your population would book to the US if it was possible, then how to tame that dragon? Misinformation.
As for he examples offered as to the scale of atrocity performed by our country, although many will disagree that some of the specific items mentioned are or aren't atrocities, they are bear a common thread - our government's undying protection of corporate profits and the resultant political contributions that come from these acts of protectionism. Our history is rife with cases of "we know what's best for everybody". But, notice that they are all bared to the world and our populace to be analyzed. In theory, education cures ignorance. Hopefully our education as residents of this country would eventually make us less ignorant to the things our elected officials do. It is shameful that the politicos feel we are such sheep that they can make decisions about the world without knowing more about what we the people think/feel.
I would challenge anyone to show an example of any accurate and factual, even if it is politically biased, recounting of the current history of China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, et al. Even better, show me the opposing localized viewpoints to that history. Can we pick up a copy of the Tehran Times and read about the oppression of women's rights in Iran?
Ignorance is curable by education - stupidity is a disease. We can all use a dose of the cure every now and then.