2014 -- the next world crisis?

Nice thought, we are all stuck on the big blue marble and should be working together. There are no lines on the ground, only imaginary lines we have created. There are 2 big problems. Religion is one, until some world leaders step up and admit to the masses that they are all based on fairy tales the religious divide will keep us from moving forward. The second is actually harder in my view. People are hard wired left , right , conservative , liberal. Sure environment plays a part, and some people are not polarized but many are. It will be very hard for this planet to work together as one when people or not hard wired to do so. But I do think it is worth working toward anyway, as it is really our planets only hope. IMHO

Nice thought, we are all stuck on the big blue marble and should be working together. There are no lines on the ground, only imaginary lines we have created. There are 2 big problems. Religion is one, until some world leaders step up and admit to the masses that they are all based on fairy tales the religious divide will keep us from moving forward. The second is actually harder in my view. People are hard wired left , right , conservative , liberal. Sure environment plays a part, and some people are not polarized but many are. It will be very hard for this planet to work together as one when people or not hard wired to do so. But I do think it is worth working toward anyway, as it is really our planets only hope. IMHO

Religion is not motivating the split of Belgium. Borders, language, culture need to be respected. Individuals need to be respected by the state as state power is derived from them. Individuals are not serfs to exploit by the state.

"But both the world's understanding of America, and America's understanding of itself, will have to change fundamentally for that goal to be achieved."

The USA needs to elect leaders like Reagan who understood how unique the USA has been in the world. It would help if the ROW would understand it is in their best interest for the USA to support and defend liberty and work with the USA instead of continuously nipping.
The results of such nipping was the election of Obama, who apologized to the ROW for all the USA's 'sins'. Now all sorts of mischief is in the works and oil is spreading throughout the gulf.
People get the government they deserve.

The results of such nipping was the election of Obama, who apologized to the ROW for all the USA's 'sins'. Now all sorts of mischief is in the works and oil is spreading throughout the gulf.
People get the government they deserve.

Suggesting that Obama being president caused oil to spread throughout the gulf is a pretty big stretch.

The results of such nipping was the election of Obama, who apologized to the ROW for all the USA's 'sins'. Now all sorts of mischief is in the works and oil is spreading throughout the gulf.
People get the government they deserve.

Suggesting that Obama being president caused oil to spread throughout the gulf is a pretty big stretch.

It is an event that showcases his leadership abilities.

marjon,

Obama worships the same god you do. Why not do the christian thing and say a prayer for him? I thought christians were kind and loving of their fellow man, especially towards other christians.

____________

My first thought after reading this article was "2014? Who's going to be around after 12-21-2012 anyway?"

I can't believe any president could have stopped this. I would have happened no matter who was president. I'm not an Obama fan but please be realistic about what a president can control. They control how an oil company concerns more over profits than personnel/environmental safety.

So we have financial institutions messing up our economy which started in 2007, oil messing up our ecology (BP bought rights in 2008), which industry will be next to cause major problems in US. Politics of scapegoating to push an agenda...always a problem.

" the United States will find itself the key player in a series of make-or-break decisions about the future of the world."

-These decisions were made long ago because these problems could have been, and were, anticipated. What we have been seeing are Plans playing out. It is not the collapse of a system but the Dismantling of it. We see violence and think it is chaos. But Demolition is as violent as collapse. Either way, violence is Inevitable.

There is only one Problem that threatens civilization, and that is the human propensity to overpopulate. All of history can be seen as a continuing effort to counter this ruinous equation.

please be realistic about what a president can control

In NOV 2008 a majority believed Obama would change the world, stop the seas from rising .......

so we either become statist slaves or what?

its a very erudite way of saying communism or die...

we ban religion. and stop having so many damn babies. problems solved. (well not that easy) but it really is overpopulation that's driving all of our problems. maybe forced vasectomies at age 32 or something. Or 1 child like in China (without being allowed to get rid of girls and try again).

we ban religion. and stop having so many damn babies. problems solved. (well not that easy) but it really is overpopulation that's driving all of our problems. maybe forced vasectomies at age 32 or something. Or 1 child like in China (without being allowed to get rid of girls and try again).

You would like a book/movie called Logan's Run.
Communism or die?

always heard it was good. never watched it. I guess i'll netflix it right now.

thanks marjon, I actually found a whole bunch of new ones to stream so i have a busy next few weeks after work!

please be realistic about what a president can control

In NOV 2008 a majority believed Obama would change the world, stop the seas from rising .......

In NOV 2008 a majority thought Obama was better than the other choices. That's about it.

I heard the world was coming to an end July 5, 1998. I'm still waiting for that to happen, so 2014 must be a long time from now.

Banning religion is not the answer. Then you would have millions and millions of fundamentalists with nothing to sate their sheepish need to follow. Also, what about the other religions out there that are harmless? You never hear of a Pastafarian or Subgenius blowing up abortion clinics or smashing planes in to buildings.

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

Besides being nonsensical drivel which is not worthy of this site... This is a blatant NWO ..Illuminati scam. If we don't all bend over and pray to the same Country, G*d, and Temple.. we will all die on 2012 and come back to life in 2014 when Prof Boyle has us saved..

Since this guy's name isn't Hari Seldom and we're not on Trantor, I'd have somebody make sure his calculations are correct . . .

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

What is it with all this 'banning'. Ever stop and think that an authority that has such power has the power to do much more?

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

What is it with all this 'banning'. Ever stop and think that an authority that has such power has the power to do much more?

They do, and They have. Who do you think concocted your silly religion? And They will take it away from you when They see fit to do so. When it is no longer useful, when it has served its Purpose.

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

What is it with all this 'banning'. Ever stop and think that an authority that has such power has the power to do much more?

They do, and They have. Who do you think concocted your silly religion?

J.R. "Bob" Dobbs?

Banning religion isn't an answer - some people need the social life and comfort it provides, no matter how illogical it may seem to some.

We are not confined to this planet, although it was be "nice" to leave it in better shape than we found it.

All this talk of self-destruction is as old as humankind itself. It is a means to position oneself, or your group, into a position of power - Control - over others. "Believe as I do or die"

The answer: Think for yourself. Challenge what you think is true. Always question "authority". Think outside the box. If you don't like the news, go out an make some of your own.

The U.S. has the best and most open government of any on Earth, although there is enourmous room for improvement. Calling for lesser government and lesser taxes comes with the price of less protection from criminals and other unintended consequences. More govt/taxes should only be permitted with a clear plan and consent of 50.1% of the people (NOT 67%).

We are not confined to this planet

We're not? You can leave? I heard they put the kibosh on Constellation. Are you hitching rides on Soyuz?

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

What is it with all this 'banning'. Ever stop and think that an authority that has such power has the power to do much more?

They do, and They have. Who do you think concocted your silly religion? And They will take it away from you when They see fit to do so. When it is no longer useful, when it has served its Purpose.

The Germans tried that in the 30s, no?

panorama: "We" have been sending humans into space for 40 years. If "we" make the decision to go, our government will follow...

Politics of scapegoating to push an agenda...always a problem.

It would be nice if the socialists (and AGWites) would stop doing that.
""You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's new chief of staff, told a Wall Street Journal conference of top corporate chief executives this week."

We are not confined to this planet

We're not? You can leave? I heard they put the kibosh on Constellation. Are you hitching rides on Soyuz?

The free market will provide.
http://www.bigelo...ace.com/
http://www.virgingalactic.com/

The free market will provide.
http://www.bigelo...ace.com/
http://www.virgingalactic.com/

Indeed they will...indeed they will my fellow commenter.

The free market will provide.
http://www.bigelo...ace.com/

Indeed they will...indeed they will my fellow commenter.

In time, certainly- but 2014 is only 3 1/2 years away! What are we gonna do????

The free market will provide.
http://www.bigelo...ace.com/

Indeed they will...indeed they will my fellow commenter.

In time, certainly- but 2014 is only 3 1/2 years away! What are we gonna do????

Pray!

Why is the "pax Americana" the ONLY conceivable route to peace? Methinks he is not conceiving hard enough

The only things worth banning are wars of ALL kinds and prohibition itself.

Wait...we just need to ban fundamentalism. All forms of fundamentalism should be banned...problem solved.

What is it with all this 'banning'. Ever stop and think that an authority that has such power has the power to do much more?

They do, and They have. Who do you think concocted your silly religion? And They will take it away from you when They see fit to do so. When it is no longer useful, when it has served its Purpose.

The Germans tried that in the 30s, no?

No.

Why is the "pax Americana" the ONLY conceivable route to peace? Methinks he is not conceiving hard enough

Any suggestions? Everyone here seems to be talking about banning this or banning that to force people to behave. What government do you want to do the banning? Russian, Chinese, Swiss, French, ....?
"In Heaven…

* the mechanics are German
* the chefs are French
* the police are British
* the lovers are Italian
* and everything is organized by the Swiss.

In Hell…

* the mechanics are French
* the police are German
* the chefs are British
* the lovers are Swiss
* and everything is organized by the Italians."

The only things worth banning are wars of ALL kinds and prohibition itself.

War is absolutely unavoidable, given unwesternized humanitys inability to inhibit their rate of growth. Only thing that can be done is to Plan these wars, Engineer them so they do not threaten that which is truly valuable and irreplaceable.

This conclusion was reached a few thousand years ago, and this civilization you see is the result. The benefits of well-planned and staged wars are almost unimaginable. That alone would make their existance indisputable. We can assume that every significant war in history was an Exercise in constructive conflict.

All that would need to occur, initially, would have been for leaders on both sides to realize the unavoidability of war and the opportunity to benefit. A Tribe of Leaders soon formed which came to recognize their subjects as their real enemies. Their Credo and mission was to divide the people up according to Plan, and set them against one another.

This is great. Free advertising for his new book through Physorg by way of scare tactics. I think I'll write a book about the end of the world in 2012 and advertise it for free in Physorg.... Oh wait, that's already been done too. 2011, the world is definitely ending in 2011. Stand by for book.

This is great. Free advertising for his new book through Physorg by way of scare tactics. I think I'll write a book about the end of the world in 2012 and advertise it for free in Physorg.... Oh wait, that's already been done too. 2011, the world is definitely ending in 2011. Stand by for book.

100% agree with your point, i actually got a warning from physorg for asking what articles like this are doing on a science site. You should just write a book about magic, i bet a lot of science sites would feature it.

Don't worry. When Yellowstone volcano erupts (it's already overdue), it will solve all the problems from over population to global warming.

oh carolina, it sure won't solve global warming. If you've read any of the other articles the lasting effects of SO2, etc are going to be bad. Now i do agree that the middle of the country does need to control their overpopulation/fanatical religiousness. (i.e. not have 15 children). and yellowstone would sure fix that!

the middle of the country does need to control their overpopulation/fanatical religiousness.

Why?

This is great. Free advertising for his new book through Physorg by way of scare tactics. I think I'll write a book about the end of the world in 2012 and advertise it for free in Physorg.... Oh wait, that's already been done too. 2011, the world is definitely ending in 2011. Stand by for book.

You could only sell it for a year. Better to choose 2015.

Always question "authority".

Ya right, and then you disappear(incinerated in a govt. facility) in a snap.

With ideas as weak as this, one must assume that this professor already has tenure.

Why? Marjon. Really are you asking why people shouldn't have 15 kids? It's exactly like they explain it in 'The Matrix' every other animal on this planet reaches a natural equilibrium with its surroundings. You know what doesn't? A virus. Humans are a plague on this earth, and unless properly controlled will ultimately cause a catastrophic event that will wipe us out just as easy as yellowstone could. Why? come on man. If you're going to have kids, have 2. Replace yourselves, don't add to world hunger/greed/pestilence/violence/hate/indoctrination to your silly religiousness. And I don't mean your religion necessarily. But what makes your beliefs any more accurate than Buddhists, or hell, Mormons for that matter? Was the holy land here in America like the Mormons believe, or was Joseph Smith full of crap? I'm going to guess the latter. Don't think that I'm an atheist, b/c i'm not. I just know that if there are so many religions out there, none of them are totally right. NONE.

Humans are a plague on this earth, and unless properly controlled will ultimately cause a catastrophic event that will wipe us out just as easy as yellowstone could.

Will you volunteer to commit suicide to 'save the planet'?
Mormons, Muslims and Catholics will reproduce faster than you and those who think like you. In the end, you will loose unless you can use force and violate people's rights.
What makes humans better than your Matrix machines is their ability to improvise, adapt and overcome obstacles and create a more prosperous, safe and efficient way of life for millions of more people.
Science and technology in free markets have made great advances resulting in more prosperity for more people. Why stop that?

I never said the machines are better. I just said that quote was accurate. Humans are using about 2 1/2 Earths' worth of resources we can't keep up this standard of living that way. We just can't. I won't have to commit suicide, it won't be my family starving I can assure you that. With access to a fully auto M-16 I'm not so worried. Plus I have 2 mouths to feed now (mine and my fiancee's) I'll have no more than 4 in the end. Unless you're interested in eating Soylent Green; science can't create things from resources that aren't there. Of course we shouldn't stop trying to make advances, but there's a limit. Science isn't magic, and your 'God' isn't going to beam down food to your family. And you know it.

Humans are using about 2 1/2 Earths' worth of resources

How can that be? We only have 1 Earth.

Will you volunteer to commit suicide to 'save the planet'?

NO, mangy -we need that guy. You'll have to be his proxy. After all -there are SO MANY of your kind.

Mormons, Muslims and Catholics will reproduce faster than you and those who think like you. In the end, you will loose unless you can use force and violate people's rights.

NO- THEY will "loose", since their very numbers will require warfare to support.

What makes humans better than your Matrix machines is their ability to improvise, adapt and overcome obstacles and create a more prosperous, safe and efficient way of life for millions of more people. Science and technology in free markets have made great advances resulting in more prosperity for more people. Why stop that?

Right. Like BP(your wet-dream freemarket capitalism) -with all the money in the world, and access to the best minds and technology- is creating a more safe, efficient, prosperous way of life for millions more people!

marjon. do you actually read the articles on this website? do you watch the discovery channel, the science channel? Add to that scientific papers, Scientific American, Popular Science, and Popular Mechanics, and that's where almost all of my easy accessible info comes from.
How are we using 2 1/2 earths supply? By sucking resources out of the ground that we can't hope to replace anytime within the next million years. Look it up. Hell that was established a few years back. I'm surprised you would even ask how? Especially considering you recommended Logan's Run yesterday. Which I took your advice for and is in my queue. Till I'm back Monday... inform yourself man.

By sucking resources out of the ground that we can't hope to replace anytime within the next million years.

What resources are those? If you mean energy, nuclear energy from uranium and plutonium will satisfy energy needs for centuries along with direct conversion of solar energy from space based collection.
So there is no energy problem. Food requires energy and the chemicals that are continuously recycled so there is no food problem.
The only problem I see is one of imagination and government control.

By sucking resources out of the ground that we can't hope to replace anytime within the next million years.

What resources are those? If you mean energy, nuclear energy from uranium and plutonium will satisfy energy needs for centuries along with direct conversion of solar energy from space based collection.
So there is no energy problem. Food requires energy and the chemicals that are continuously recycled so there is no food problem.
The only problem I see is one of imagination and government control.

Luckily, the rest of us are unaffected by mangy's
"Troll-o-Vision", and will be able to take steps to ensure humankind's continued viability on this here green marble.

Like BP(your wet-dream freemarket capitalism)

BP is the wet dream for a fascist as BP contributed heavily to many politicians and was a big supporter of Cap and Tax legislation.
BP does not support free markets. It supports government controlled markets.
Maybe someday companies will learn from Enron and BP that supporting fascism is not good for business.

"Rahm Emanuel lived rent free in BP flack's apartment"
" BP also made enormous research grants to a project headed by Energy Secretary Steven Chu. There was no oil company more politically correct, or more politically connected than BP"
http://www.americ...e_i.html

"Greenberg's consulting firm was a prime architect of BP's recent rebranding drive as a green petroleum company, down to green signs and the slogan "Beyond Petroleum."

Greenberg's company is also closely tied to a sister Democratic outfit -- GCS, named for the last initials of Greenberg, James Carville, another Clinton advisor, and Bob Shrum, John Kerry's 2004 campaign manager.

According to published reports, GCS received hundreds of thousands of dollars in political polling contracts in recent years from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee."
http://www.freere...21/posts
BP supported free markets?

Like BP(your wet-dream freemarket capitalism)

BP is the wet dream for a fascist as BP contributed heavily to many politicians and was a big supporter of Cap and Tax legislation.
BP does not support free markets. It supports government controlled markets.
Maybe someday companies will learn from Enron and BP that supporting fascism is not good for business.

Was that the sound of the sound barrier being broken by the speed of mangy's panic backpedaling retreat? A refreshing noise from mangy-"for a change".

Like BP(your wet-dream freemarket capitalism)

BP is the wet dream for a fascist as BP contributed heavily to many politicians and was a big supporter of Cap and Tax legislation.
BP does not support free markets. It supports government controlled markets.
Maybe someday companies will learn from Enron and BP that supporting fascism is not good for business.

Was that the sound of the sound barrier being broken by the speed of mangy's panic backpedaling retreat? A refreshing noise from mangy-"for a change".

You asserted BP is a product of a free market. I pointed out it is not. What 'retreat'?
BTW, all the oil that is leaking into the Gulf is owned by the US government.

You asserted BP is a product of a free market. I pointed out it is not. What 'retreat'?
BTW, all the oil that is leaking into the Gulf is owned by the US government.

Remind me to never get in a foxhole with you- I wouldn't want to have to rely on you to have my back, after seeing just how quickly you abandon your freemarket buddies in their time of need.

You can try to make a virtue of necessity, but only end up exposing your true colors- the colors of a rat. And everybody knows what happens to rats- especially the slack-jawed variety- among which you are numbered.

I think Dennis Miller phrased it best: "Everybody knows what happens to a slack-jawed rat. sooner or later, a slack-jawed rat has to suck on the pipe."

What free market buddies?
BP has never supported a free market. It is your fantasy that they have.

Really, mangy- I can imagine your distress at having one of your freemarket icons, whom you so fervently worshipped heretofore, suddenly besmirched with the evidence of their own dastardliness- but do you really have to deny them so?

Verily, thou doth sound as Judas.

BTW, all the oil that is leaking into the Gulf is owned by the US government.

Citation, mangy. Always with the unsupported assertions.

Yes, we need the Empire. But how could you shove this down the Arabs' throats?

Or, hey, choose an Arab king! Oops, how do you shove that into folks in Oklahoma?

And what if another Bush becomes king? Then the whole thing will crumble from the inside, and a hundred years of unprecedented violence will ensue, throwing us into dark ages like never seen before.

//////////////////

But what if this actually works??

Then we will have the year 2114, when people can't even understand the horrors of war, and will thus become careless.

So, the question is, war this decade, or the next. Which is it?

"The Minerals Management Service (MMS), a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than $5 billion per year in revenues from federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on federal and Indian lands. "
http://www.gomr.m...mon.html

"The federal government owns seabed mineral rights from three miles offshore to as much as 200 miles offshore, depending on the extent of the U.S. exclusive economic zone at that particular location (this zone is much smaller near the Caribbean).

Read more: Government Mineral Rights | eHow.com http://www.ehow.c...rLnzul6Q
"
All that oil leaking from the Gulf belongs to the US government.

eHow.com http://www.ehow.c...rLnzul6Q
"
All that oil leaking from the Gulf belongs to the US government.

You really need to learn how to read moron. BP&Co own that oil, as it is being discharged by a well that was developed in pursuance to their drilling lease, for the purpose of extracting the oil.

Next time, check with a professional before you start gushing your mangynoise.

"A lease is an agreement that gives the mining company the right to enter the property, conduct tests and determine if suitable minerals exist there. To acquire this right the mining company will pay the property owner an amount of money when the lease is signed. "
"When minerals are produced from a leased property the owner is usually paid a share of the production income. This money is known as a "royalty payment". "
"In addition to a signing bonus, most lease agreements require the lessee to pay the owner a share of the value of produced oil or gas. "
http://geology.co...ts.shtml

I can use the word retard because it's insulting to people who are retarded, to those I sincerely apologize for what I'm about to say.

This is the most retarded release I have ever read... except for maybe the one about Jesus.

Lets grow up here people. Regardless what your religious,scientific, political or moral beliefs are,there are some things going on behind the scenes that WE, the "sheep" of this planet are not aware of.

You would have to be naive to think that your getting all the facts & information required to be informed by simply watching 1 hr a day of condensed & edited news bites produces by friends of large & powerful corporate elites . I am as big of a skeptic as anyone, I would hear conspiracy theorists yelling on the radio once in a while & laugh it off as just being another nut on the radio spinning ideas to get attention & make a buck . Now my guess is that your not on this web site because your interested in conspiracy. But this particular article is not a new idea & its not about an asteroid or comet hitting the the planet.

Google or Youtube terms like "Bilderberg Group", New World Order" or a guy named Alex Jones who covers those topics extensively, you will freak. Its all there !!!

Lets grow up here people. Regardless what your religious,scientific, political or moral beliefs are,there are some things going on behind the scenes that WE, the "sheep" of this planet are not aware of.

You would have to be naive to think that your getting all the facts & information required to be informed by simply watching 1 hr a day of condensed & edited news bites produces by friends of large & powerful corporate elites . I am as big of a skeptic as anyone, I would hear conspiracy theorists yelling on the radio once in a while & laugh it off as just being another nut on the radio spinning ideas to get attention & make a buck . Now my guess is that your not on this web site because your interested in conspiracy. But this particular article is not a new idea & its not about an asteroid or comet hitting the the planet.

Google or Youtube terms like "Bilderberg Group", New World Order" or a guy named Alex Jones who covers those topics extensively, you will freak. Its all there !!!

Have not read the book in question - but I question his history, it is Euro-centric. Maybe Europe and N. America were relatively peaceful (ask the native Americans about that) Asia, Africa and S. America suffered under a multitude of invasions and slaughters - both internally and externally generated.

As well, the deification of Reagan, one of the major slaughtering beasts of the 20th century (can you spell 'contra'?) and assertion of 'American exceptionalism' is one of the more discordant and antagonistic concepts of the last several hundred years ....

As well, the deification of Reagan, one of the major slaughtering beasts of the 20th century (can you spell 'contra'?) and assertion of 'American exceptionalism' is one of the more discordant and antagonistic concepts of the last several hundred years ....

Discordant and antagonistic to whom? The enemies of individual liberty? The socialist?
It does not appear to be discordant and antagonistic to the millions who immigrated legally and illegally to the USA or the million who were saved from the tyranny of NAZIs, Japanese imperialists or Soviets.

So because ppl and local areas dare to have more so called freedom...it means world crisis with mother US coming to save us all..

Get over yourselves, this smacks of english imperialism of old back in the 1800s

I can't believe any president could have stopped this. I would have happened no matter who was president. I'm not an Obama fan but please be realistic about what a president can control. They control how an oil company concerns more over profits than personnel/environmental safety.

He could've rejected the application for the drilling permit that he had to sign an order to allow exemption for.

Discordant and antagonistic to whom? The enemies of individual liberty? The socialist?
It does not appear to be discordant and antagonistic to the millions who immigrated legally and illegally to the USA or the million who were saved from the tyranny of NAZIs, Japanese imperialists or Soviets.

How about discordant to the rest of the world - that may, just may, grant Americans equality to themselves, but certainly not anything resembling superiority. Socialists are not people? the US had a Socialist Party of about a million members at one time, were they less than people? America acts no better (fortunately, no worse) than any other actor on the international stage - it is only egocentric Americans that think they are in some way 'special.'

The largest cities in the world are in China and Brazil ... are the people of the world flocking there for their innate goodness and beneficence?

America is, for now, rich, that is not a spiritual quality, but materialistic.

"It does not appear to be discordant and antagonistic to the millions who immigrated legally and illegally to the USA or the million who were saved from the tyranny of NAZIs, Japanese imperialists or Soviets."

I seem to recall several countries involved in some disputes with Nazis and the Japanese for a long time before the US saw fit to join the frey ... and then only because it had been declared war upon. Is this an example of 'the shining city on the hill' - to misquote Churchill: "Some shine. Some hill."

I seem to recall several countries involved in some disputes with Nazis and the Japanese for a long time before the US saw fit to join the frey ... and then only because it had been declared war upon. Is this an example of 'the shining city on the hill' - to misquote Churchill: "Some shine. Some hill."

Unless the USA is perfect, it must be condemned?
The origin of WWII was the discordant and antagonistic treaty of Versailles. While I don't agree with Wilson much, had France and Britain followed a more forgiving path, Hitler would never have had the opportunity.
Cro, do you advocate the USA take over the world to keep it safe from itself?

This is not about America VS everyone else. Its about human society as we know it VS the global / corporate elite. While they distract us with simple pleasures and create new fears there are fat cats making back room deals & telling our leaders what to do & how to do it. We are all just too stupid & distracted to see whats really happening until its too late to stop it.

It is an American quirk to claim 'exceptionalism', no one but Americans is claiming that Americans are different than anyone else. (And using this as an excuse to behave abysmally)

America is fading away thanks to its' bone headed policies - frittering away the good that could be done by its' material riches; (here read Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan) Betraying its' own constitution, (here read John Yoo) and now Obama has okay'ed the murder of its' own citizens in the name of some nebulous national security.

The USA is not needed to protect the world against the USA - it is a declining power caused all by itself.

By 'itself' I do not mean the (estimable) American people, they are like people everywhere (and that is a compliment, not a slight) - it is the corporate ruling class that is lying, misleading and making what may have been a shining idea into an advertizing slogan.

It is an American quirk to claim 'exceptionalism', no one but Americans is claiming that Americans are different than anyone else.

Not lately.
However, millions want to become US citizens. The reason?
The USA is based upon an idea, liberty and opportunity for all regardless of class or color. That is what made the USA exceptional. People who were willing to sacrifice for such ideals.
Now, many in the USA are becoming just like the rest of the world, dependents of socialist tyrannies.
But because of USA exceptioanalism, the socialist trend can be reversed and is being reversed by exceptional individuals who won't accept tyranny. Many have joined together in grassroots efforts called tea parties and in Nov. their hard work will be the beginning of the restoration of USA exceptionalism.

This is not about America VS everyone else. Its about human society as we know it VS the global / corporate elite. While they distract us with simple pleasures and create new fears there are fat cats making back room deals & telling our leaders what to do & how to do it. We are all just too stupid & distracted to see whats really happening until its too late to stop it.

Wouldn't it be helpful if people had a moral foundation that wasn't under continuous assault by the immoral?

"In other words, pursuing the "best" solution may end up doing less actual good than accepting a solution that, while not perfect, is effective. One could also infer that the best makes that which is good seem to be worth less than it is."http://www.famous...the_good
" "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." "
The USA has not been perfect. Who has demonstrated a better way?

The USA has not been perfect. Who has demonstrated a better way?

To say that others have been (are) worse is a poor excuse for any kind of argument.

Singapore is better than Zimbabwe, therefore Singapore is great??

Your socialist arguments are just silly ...

The USA has not been perfect. Who has demonstrated a better way?

To say that others have been (are) worse is a poor excuse for any kind of argument.

Singapore is better than Zimbabwe, therefore Singapore is great??

Your socialist arguments are just silly ...

Singapore is better than Zimbabwe, but not perfect. USA is better than the ROW, but not perfect.

"The greatest crimes in history were committed by governments against their own people, specifically governments that were above the law. In the 20th century alone, scores of millions were slaughtered by communist and fascist (both collectivist) governments which regarded their citizens as means to their ends."
"The 18th century concept of individual rights is founded on the opposite and revolutionary idea -- that each individual is an end in himself, with his (or her) life and happiness as the moral purpose. That's what the United States' founding fathers meant by the individual's right to "life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness." These rights, being "unalienable," cannot be abrogated by government decree or majority vote.
"http://www.capita...news=210
What other government has such a philosophy?
BTW, such a philosophy made the USA exceptional among other states and resulted in much prosperity.

It is an American quirk to claim 'exceptionalism', no one but Americans is claiming that Americans are different than anyone else.

Not lately.
However, millions want to become US citizens. The reason?
The USA is based upon an idea, liberty and opportunity for all regardless of class or color.

I have no desire to be an American. In fact all your freedoms are slowly being taken away right from under you at this very moment all for your "well being & national security "

Your leaders want to impose internet censorship,regulate the news media, assassinate whistle blowers such as the founder of wikileaks Julian Assange, take away your right to posses a gun. Then once they have dumbed you guys down even further they impose martial law. I feel sorry for Americans.Being a Canadian Ive grown up to know your people as good friends and neighbors and it sucks to watch your leaders betray the people.I thought yous were fighters , you guys just role over and take it. Sad.

The USA is based upon an idea, liberty and opportunity for all regardless of class or color.

Yes, I suppose the slave owners that signed the Declaration of Independence only took 100 years to realize that.

As for things being enshrined forever - how does that square with the (infamous) Patriot Act? Detention without benefit of council or notification of anyone? Torture? Mistreatment of all sorts - of anyone in the world and even (OMG!) American citizens.

Then when someone wants to see what that slug Bush has done ... you have a Pres. that says ... "Let's look forward, not back."

"Not back" as in read your Constitution.

Why is the "pax Americana" the ONLY conceivable route to peace? Methinks he is not conceiving hard enough

Because "pax Anything-Else" would need a shift of power, and historically, the incumbent has not taken kindly to such.

Yes, I suppose the slave owners that signed the Declaration of Independence only took 100 years to realize that.

They understood that if they had addressed the slave issue at that time, it would have been unlikely the USA would have ever been established. The south that depended upon that labor would not have joined the north.
Great Britain was still great at that time, and still had legal slavery, would have relished the opportunity to retake their colonies.
The Christians in England and in New England played a large role in ending slavery.
The USA was not and is not perfect. But it has a mechanism in its Constitution to change.

.Being a Canadian Ive grown up to know your people as good friends and neighbors and it sucks to watch your leaders betray the people.

Thanks for the sympathy, but if the USA falls, Canada is not far behind.

Then when someone wants to see what that slug Bush has done ... you have a Pres. that says ... "Let's look forward, not back."

"Not back" as in read your Constitution.

What made the USA great is looking back at the Constitution. Obama wants to shred it and join the rest of the world in a socialist tyranny.
His 'forward' look is not very popular in the USA or in the world, except, maybe in Russia, Iran and Venezuela, great supporters of liberty.

Thanks for the sympathy, but if the USA falls, Canada is not far behind.

If that is how you rationalize slavery - you just go ahead, dear. I am confident the British of 1807 that banned slavery would agree.

As for Canada following America's 'fall - only in so far as we are like America, the more different we are the better for us. Was not that sentiment expressed before by a tyrant? “Après moi, le déluge”

The world survived Louis XV, somehow, the rest of us will find a way to manage without the chauvinism of the US.

AGAIN - I must say that the American people are badly treated by their leaders - governmental and business. If the US has a glory, and it does, it lies in the people and their humanity.

Enough of this foolish conversation .... as your belief in your God is unsupportable outside faith - so your mindless patriotism is unsupportable to anyone not American.

While I dispute the history of Prof. Boyle, I agree that: "It is a profoundly hopeful sign that we begin the 21st century with very many more international and intergovernmental organisations than we had at the start of the 20th.."

International, as in beyond American efforts, are needed to avoid the next crisis. Only people working together with no one striving to be 'special' can overcome world wide difficulties.

International, as in beyond American efforts, are needed to avoid the next crisis.

It would be nice to see other people stand up for liberty in the world for a change instead of negotiating it away.
What is the international community going to do when Iran has nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them to Europe, convert to Islam?

I have no desire to be an American.

Who gives a shit? Your gun laws are much worse than ours. Better to be citizens than subjects any day. Give the queen a big smooch for me, ok?

"The greatest crimes in history were committed by governments against their own people, specifically governments that were above the law. In the 20th century alone, scores of millions were slaughtered by communist and fascist (both collectivist) governments which regarded their citizens as means to their ends."

Same old phlegm. Fascists were god-fearing. The SS swore an oath of obedience to Hitler, 'bis in den Tot, so wahr mir Gott helfen.' -unto the death, so help me god. New mothers were awarded little blue xian crosses with Hakenkreuze in the middle. Hitlers speeches were laced with reference to god. Das Heer belt buckles with 'Gott mit Uns' stamped on them.

The judeo-xian lie that fascists were godless only helped to reinforce their evil persona and enable the things which happened after the war; ie, the establishment of israel on stolen philistine soil, the secretion of papal complicity in nazi machinations, etc.

.Being a Canadian Ive grown up to know your people as good friends and neighbors and it sucks to watch your leaders betray the people.

Thanks for the sympathy, but if the USA falls, Canada is not far behind.

Your absolutely right, Canada will fall shortly after, it goes without saying. We all share a common enemy & we will rise & fall as one. Dwelling on past accomplishments is not going to prevent today's failures. This "New World Order" that is around the corner, is basically giving up your sovereignty & freedoms. We would all be under one flag. I can barely wrap my head around what we are all in for but that's not stopping me from digging deeper.The enemy of tomorrow is not going to be waiving flags and yelling charge. They wont make the same mistakes of the past. They will destroy out countries from the inside out. Know your enemy.

I am not sure that Iran really wants nuclear weapons ... it certain says it does not and the CIA and the UN inspectors can find no evidence that it is trying to make any. I do see an Israel that fears having its' military dominance challenged (a nuclear power itself - even as they deny it) and is itching to bomb a few.

Is China about to try for world dominance? India perhaps?

I have no desire to be an American.

Who gives a shit? Your gun laws are much worse than ours. Better to be citizens than subjects any day. Give the queen a big smooch for me, ok?

If you weren't so caught up in NASCAR & American Idol you'd realize they are taking away your gun rights...and you'd probably know more about the downfall of your own country than I do. For the record the queen is merely an insignificant decoration on our currency that will be outpacing yours shortly and even if we considered ourselves subjects of the queen ....I don't think having a leader like Obama (aka Barry Soetoro) is much to brag about buddy. We can either stick together of become victims one at a time, but if you think your safe & isolated from all of this because your sleeping in your American flag pajamas you better think again. I dont know you , nor you me....but Im on your side...pick your battles.

I am not sure that Iran really wants nuclear weapons .

Why would you trust Iran?
Why are they testing ballistic missiles? What do they plan to use them for?

It adds, however, that the more peaceful alternative will only be realised if the international community can accept that nation states are no longer strong enough to deal with the world's problems and construct an effective system of global governance instead.

Oh, $#@%.
That'll never work...

TBH I'm from the US, and I'm sick of all this "greatest country in the the world" crap. I'm serious. Not just from Americans, but from everyone. Sure, be proud and enjoy the bragging rights your country has at the moment, but understand nobody will ever be the best at everything.

I hate that we try and police the world (which we don't get paid for btw) and force our system of government on everyone else. If they want it, they will find a way to make it happen eventually. Whether it be by vote, rebellion, or a simple change in dictators, change will be made.

Different countries should be allowed to have different forms of government. At least then you'll have the freedom of "choice".

I don't think

Again, who gives a shit? And let me add, kiss my hairy butt.

Different countries should be allowed to have different forms of government. At least then you'll have the freedom of "choice".

What if the the people in those countries don't have a choice?

I am not sure that Iran really wants nuclear weapons .

Why would you trust Iran?
Why are they testing ballistic missiles? What do they plan to use them for?

Oh heavens above .... Iran has Weapons of Mass Destruction, and they are only 28 minutes from London - whatever shall we do?

That lie worked once - do you think it will withstand another go-round?

How about Israel has nukes. Israel has the capability to deliver them. Are we worried?

The same can be said of England and France. Indeed the same can be said of India but it is too big for bullies to push around - so the US, in defiance of its' own strictures, helps them.

Iran's position on nuclear weapons is:
"Q: Nuclear program.

We do not believe in nuclear weapons period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity."

If you want someone belligerent, Seymore Hersh in the New Yorker:
http://www.newyor...ntPage=1

Different countries should be allowed to have different forms of government. At least then you'll have the freedom of "choice".

What if the the people in those countries don't have a choice?

How about rebellion? If there are radicals desperate enough to try and destroy other nations across the world I'm sure some of these people can muster up something to fight their own government. This, of course, isn't an ideal solution in a lot of cases, but realistically a consensus among nations should be made before any one nation takes it into their own hands.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be helped. I'm just saying I'm sick of our country paying the taxes, giving the lives, and taking the blame because we thought it should be done...with questionable motives...

He's right about needing a responsible international organization. I'm just not terribly optimistic about it.

BTW I loved the quote about heaven and hell.

Iran's position on nuclear weapons is:
"Q: Nuclear program.

We do not believe in nuclear weapons period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity."

Why do you trust Iran?

Why do you trust Iran?

why do you afflict us with repeated questions that have already been answered?

I'll answer for you- because you are a meaningless, powerless, spotty-bottomed troll.

Iran's position on nuclear weapons is:
"Q: Nuclear program.

We do not believe in nuclear weapons period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity."

Why do you trust Iran?

Why do you trust a country which already dropped nuclear bombs to kill innocent civilians?

Different countries should be allowed to have different forms of government. At least then you'll have the freedom of "choice".

What if the the people in those countries don't have a choice?

What if those people don't know that their choice is a choice among preselected friends of the ruling class only and therefore is no real choice?

Iran's position on nuclear weapons is:
"Q: Nuclear program.

We do not believe in nuclear weapons period. It goes against the whole grain of humanity."

Why do you trust Iran?

Why do you trust a country which already dropped nuclear bombs to kill innocent civilians?

What innocent civilians? From the actions of those 'innocent' civilians on Okinawa, it was feared every Japanese, including civilians, would fight to death and never surrender.
Dropping the atomic bombs saved Japanese and American lives in a war started by the Japanese.
Iran has threatened its neighbors and is funding and arming those who murder civilians in Israel.
So I guess that is why so many 'trust' Iran. They are killing Jews.

Can someone point me to the nearest Stargate?
This just in case the world does NOT end but keeps going like this ;-)

Enough of this foolish conversation .... as your belief in your God is unsupportable outside faith - so your mindless patriotism is unsupportable to anyone not American.

No, it isn't supportable by anyone who is American. We have a lot of wanna be Americans in our country. Most of them bear the cross and drape themself in the flag and speak of god and country.

We call them morons.

Enough of this foolish conversation .... as your belief in your God is unsupportable outside faith - so your mindless patriotism is unsupportable to anyone not American.

No, it isn't supportable by anyone who is American. We have a lot of wanna be Americans in our country. Most of them bear the cross and drape themself in the flag and speak of god and country.

We call them morons.

Correct-oh-mondo,SH

I apologize to all the genuine, loyal citizens who are just trying to make their way in the world without being divisive.

Enough of this foolish conversation .... as your belief in your God is unsupportable outside faith - so your mindless patriotism is unsupportable to anyone not American.

No, it isn't supportable by anyone who is American. We have a lot of wanna be Americans in our country. Most of them bear the cross and drape themself in the flag and speak of god and country.

We call them morons.

Correct-oh-mondo,SH

I apologize to all the genuine, loyal citizens who are just trying to make their way in the world without being divisive.

Like our current, divisive administration from Chicago?

I find it is the Republicans that are more fond of the politics of exclusion, marjon. I am no fan of your President, but he does seem to be more concerned with inclusion.

The mindless chant of "Yes, WE can." at least, uses the FIRST PERSON PLURAL rather than setting up an us/them dichotomy.

but he does seem to be more concerned with inclusion.

Including whom?
His nationalization of health did not include any Republicans and he had to twist arms of some democrats.
Obama just extorted 20B USD from BP.
Obama's way is the Chicago way.

Considering the geo-political crisis that are world wide, the ever spreading environmental disasters and the fact that all we (the "whole world" we) seem to able to do is argue about assigning blame, I'd say the next crisis is here. We don't have to wait for 2014. We need to find solutions not scapegoats.

Cro: "The Democrats made a strategic choice to pass health reform even though they knew it did not have majority support. They assumed passage would generate a positive initial response from the media—which it did. They also hoped that, with time, voters would see reform in a more favorable light, and that health care would not pose an issue in the midterm elections. Were the Democrats right? If our polling is correct, they were not."
http://online.wsj...480.html
What inclusion?

Considering the geo-political crisis that are world wide, the ever spreading environmental disasters and the fact that all we (the "whole world" we) seem to able to do is try to assign blame, I'd say the next crisis is here. We don't have to wait for 2014. We need to find solutions not scapegoats.

This requires leadership.
That is not encouraged by the federal government.

Dropping the atomic bombs saved Japanese and American lives in a war started by the Japanese.

A non-falsifiable - and therefore invalid - excuse for killing innocent people. The most welcome "argument" for terrorists of any colour.

There is no purpose, no end which legitimizes the killing of innocent people. No exception.

"B. Conversely, Dr. Taro Takemi, who is Japanese, writes in the August 5, 1983, issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, “When one considers the possibility that the Japanese military would have sacrificed the entire nation if it were not for the atomic bomb attack, then this bomb might be described as having saved Japan.”

Dr. Takemi was president of the Japanese Medical Association for 25 years, from 1957 to 1982. Later he was president of the World Medical Association, and then professor of international health at the Harvard School of Public Health. He believed that a majority of the Japanese people agreed with him."
http://www.americ...la.shtml

This is way off topic .. but it has been shown to be abundantly clear that the US was determined to drop the bomb from before its' initial testing (Trinity).

The desire was not to influence the war - that was well won, it was to scare the Soviets.

non-falsifiable - and therefore invalid

How do you figure? And how does falsfiability apply to realms when reasonable assumption can prevail, say in the courtroom or on the battlefield, where no expectation of repeatability exists?

And how do you know that those bombs werent used for other, more Important reasons which made the deaths of so many people, 'innocent' or not, absolutely necessary?

This is way off topic .. but it has been shown to be abundantly clear that the US was determined to drop the bomb from before its' initial testing (Trinity).

The desire was not to influence the war - that was well won, it was to scare the Soviets.

Only one of many Essential Reasons.

lol, i own a book store. I would put a copy of this book on my shelves but I cant decide where I would put it. Science? Nah. Philosophy? Nah. Humor? No way. Religion? Maybe. Science fiction? Maybe, but i'd have to see how it ends. Oh, I know where to put it... the clearance table!

There's not much of a market for this kind of stuff. I wish him luck.

Maybe a good book for a relax reading..but i won't believe any single word of that for real :)

thx
Pierluigi Rotundo

I suppose it could go in the supernatural section, next to the astrology, 2012, ghosts, and aliens books. I think that's where we have the Nostrodamus book.

Really this guy isnt saying anything we dont aleady KNOW, thanks to Nostradamus.

All kidding aside, this guy can't expect to sell enough copies of his book to pay for publishing costs. It costs around $500 just to get an ISBN number. The only explanation for him writing this book if he's not going to actually make any money, is to support some kind of agenda. Always look for people's motives when judging their words, I think.

There is no purpose, no end which legitimizes the killing of innocent people. No exception.

Are you being purposefully naive, or willfully religionist? Our excessive reproduction rate has always made enemies inevitable. This occurs naturally in the animal kingdom; humans have made it a million times worse. You seem to have a command of numbers. Do some simple Malthusian math. 2+4+8+16+32 = war. In this world there are no 'innocents'. Go ahead, pretend I'm wrong, or evil for pointing this out to you.

There has been no way out from under this equation except for the 4 Horsemen: war, famine, plague, and -infanticide? Until just after ww2, when the newly liberated japanese culture became the 1st to embrace ABORTION. Since then 1 BILLION abortions have taken place around the world. And until something a little more civilized comes along, it is our only hope of survival, because large-scale war has become too dangerous to pursue.

Of course, I could be wrong about that.

Unfortunately, our reproductive rate makes the death of 'innocents' inevitable and absolutely unavoidable; in conflicts or by disease and starvation. All of history has proven this. And in order to ensure the survival of the species and all that it has struggled to build and accrue, it becomes essential that Someone take it upon themselves the miserable Task of deciding just who should live and who should die.

And They have. And They have been at Work for a very, very, long time.

Oh how i love watching people profit from irrational public fear

Oh how i love watching people profit from irrational public fear

IZZAT called Disaster Capitalism?

Somebody told that in the future all human race will die...

Pierluigi Rotundo

Somebody told that in the future all human race will die...

Pierluigi Rotundo

Not sure about that - but I am sure that 100% of those that ate their carrots and greenies in 1850 are dead.

Somebody told that in the future all human race will die...

Pierluigi Rotundo

Yeah- and your point...?

Otto, they should get rid of all of the people like serious drug dealers that arent productive and are actually destructive to society. Maybe all of the serious offenders also. I am not for killing anyone but if "they" are doing it then do it right.

I also heard something a while back about obama doing something like that. Something about deciding whether older people who are ill are worth saving or not.

It is becoming more apparent at least from what I understand that everyone needs to work together. What are the main reasons for not having real global collaboration? Money, religion, beliefs, and grudges. Are these things that we really cannot get passed as a race? Can we not accept this and work together? It would be a damn shame for the human race which can be so beautiful to be erased because we cant get past our differences. There is much to lose here.

Example...Iran and Israel, who cares if you have different beliefs? Big deal. Leave each other alone or you know what better yet do something challenging and get along! Build a respectful relationship and become stronger. I think this can be said for most with differences.

Lord thunder'in - what activated this thread .... did people, as I, get tired of the prevention of pre-birth homosexuality?