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alexandralI was reading about USA elections and found this piece of Biden's statement he apparently made during the Democratic convention:
"Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out. And for the last seven years, the administration has failed to face the biggest the biggest forces shaping this century. The emergence of Russia, China and India's great powers, the spread of lethal weapons, the shortage of secure supplies of energy, food and water.
Ladies and gentlemen, in recent years and in recent days we once again see the consequences of the neglect, of this neglect, of Russia challenging the very freedom of a new democratic country of Georgia. Barack and I will end that neglect. We will hold Russia accountable for its action and we will help Georgia rebuild. I have been on the ground in Georgia, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and I can tell you in no uncertain terms, this administration's policy has been an abysmal failure. America cannot afford four more years of this failure.And now, now, despite being complacent in the catastrophic foreign policy, John McCain says Barack Obama, Barrack Obama is not ready to protect our national security. Now let me ask you this. Whose judgment do you trust? Should you trust the judgment of John McCain when he said only 3 years ago, "Afghanistan - we don't read about it anymore in the papers, because it succeeded"? Or do you believe Barack Obama, who said a year ago, "We need to send two more combat battalions to Afghanistan"?
The fact of the matter is, al-Qaida and the Taliban - the people who have actually attacked us on 9/11 - they've regrouped in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan and are plotting new attacks. And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has echoed Barack's call for more troops and John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right."
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Leaving the Georgia issue aside as a difficult and controversial one it still seems:
1. Even though Biden seems to be a supporter of the troops withdrawal from Iraq his view doesn't imply that USA should stop it's wars. No, he means that instead of Iraq war it will be the war with Afganistan and (sort of implied) attacks on Pakistan borders. Or even a war with Pakistan?
2. Russia, China and India's "great powers" are bulked with lethal weapons.
3. The "war on terror" (and international paranoia) will continue, just in a different place.
4. Even though I promised to leave the Georgia issue aside, "We will hold Russia accountable for its action" sounds kind of ominous. BRRRRRRRRRRR.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I need to dig a hole and hide. It does seem that whoever wins the elections there is not going to be any changes. McCain/Palin support the war in Iraq. Obama/Biden support the "war on terrorism".
"Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out. And for the last seven years, the administration has failed to face the biggest the biggest forces shaping this century. The emergence of Russia, China and India's great powers, the spread of lethal weapons, the shortage of secure supplies of energy, food and water.
Ladies and gentlemen, in recent years and in recent days we once again see the consequences of the neglect, of this neglect, of Russia challenging the very freedom of a new democratic country of Georgia. Barack and I will end that neglect. We will hold Russia accountable for its action and we will help Georgia rebuild. I have been on the ground in Georgia, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and I can tell you in no uncertain terms, this administration's policy has been an abysmal failure. America cannot afford four more years of this failure.And now, now, despite being complacent in the catastrophic foreign policy, John McCain says Barack Obama, Barrack Obama is not ready to protect our national security. Now let me ask you this. Whose judgment do you trust? Should you trust the judgment of John McCain when he said only 3 years ago, "Afghanistan - we don't read about it anymore in the papers, because it succeeded"? Or do you believe Barack Obama, who said a year ago, "We need to send two more combat battalions to Afghanistan"?
The fact of the matter is, al-Qaida and the Taliban - the people who have actually attacked us on 9/11 - they've regrouped in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan and are plotting new attacks. And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has echoed Barack's call for more troops and John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Leaving the Georgia issue aside as a difficult and controversial one it still seems:
1. Even though Biden seems to be a supporter of the troops withdrawal from Iraq his view doesn't imply that USA should stop it's wars. No, he means that instead of Iraq war it will be the war with Afganistan and (sort of implied) attacks on Pakistan borders. Or even a war with Pakistan?
2. Russia, China and India's "great powers" are bulked with lethal weapons.
3. The "war on terror" (and international paranoia) will continue, just in a different place.
4. Even though I promised to leave the Georgia issue aside, "We will hold Russia accountable for its action" sounds kind of ominous. BRRRRRRRRRRR.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I need to dig a hole and hide. It does seem that whoever wins the elections there is not going to be any changes. McCain/Palin support the war in Iraq. Obama/Biden support the "war on terrorism".
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Date: 2008-10-03 02:41 pm (UTC)Save some space for me.
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Date: 2008-10-03 02:45 pm (UTC)You are watching "True Blood"!!
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Date: 2008-10-03 03:18 pm (UTC)Am I ever! And I read books 4-8.
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Date: 2008-10-03 04:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 04:14 pm (UTC)OH! And have you seen the 4th ep of True Blood already?
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Date: 2008-10-03 05:36 pm (UTC)Yeeees! ** points at the icon ** I think I am going to stick with this show. Even though I am not keen on few things Alexander Scarsgard as Eric is awesome.
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Date: 2008-10-03 06:04 pm (UTC)Really? I have to say I disagree with you on that. I thought he was excellent. As for me, I am definitely sticking with this show.
Seriously, it makes me flail quite a bit.
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Date: 2008-10-03 06:46 pm (UTC)My apologies! I didn't mean Eric. :D I mean few things about the show. Especially some of the JAson-the-man-slut parts.
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Date: 2008-10-03 06:53 pm (UTC)But GAH! Overall, I freaking love this show. I'm even making vids, man. VIDS! The only reason I'm not making icons as well is because I don't know how to work those programs at all. BUT IF I DID...
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Date: 2008-10-13 08:44 pm (UTC)Exactly.
Vids!!!!!! Eric/Sookie?? I hope???
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Date: 2008-10-14 12:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-14 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-14 05:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-14 08:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-14 09:28 pm (UTC)I CANNOT wait for the next book.
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Date: 2008-10-16 10:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 02:58 pm (UTC)These are just my thoughts.
One factoid Biden (exhaustively) repeated was the US spends the same amount in Iraq in 3 weeks as spent in Afghanistan for the past 7 years. I think he was trying to highlight the waste of money spent in Bush's war rather than the "war on terror" where it should be, and the money that should be directed inwards.
I think if Obama/Biden win, their focus will be to pull in all that crap we've been wasting overseas and fix things internally: health care, education, the middle class, the economy. I think the bits he threw in there were to appease the, "But if we pull out of Iraq, what are you going to do to continue the 'war on terror?'"-people.
Imagine working in an Irish pub in Washington, DC during that debate. The owner's a Republican and the city is 92% Democrat. Plus beer.
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Date: 2008-10-03 04:06 pm (UTC)I am against the whole idea of the war on terror. I don't see it bringing any positive results yet.
I imagine it is a very very heated time in USA at the moment! :D
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Date: 2008-10-03 05:31 pm (UTC)But I think we have enough internal problems to keep us busy for a while, no matter what Biden says in the debate.
The real worry is if McCain wins because he's so nuts, he will never stop fighting abroad.
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Date: 2008-10-03 05:34 pm (UTC)Yes, this is definitely true. This perspective is extremely worrying.
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Date: 2008-10-03 03:42 pm (UTC)"Russia today is not the Soviet Union, and we are not returning to the Cold War. Retrofitting outdated 20th century thinking to address this new 21st century challenge will not advance American national interests."
Biden, in the debate, decried the idea that a surge policy is needed in Afghanistan, pointing to the U.S. commander in Afghanistan's recent words against a surge-type policy, instead saying that more troops would not help without helping the government, building infrastructure and making a difference, that way.
So, really, I think that this ticket is much more positive.
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Date: 2008-10-03 04:12 pm (UTC)However, reading the Biden's statement made me realize that in any case this will be the same USA government which wants to support it's single-super-powerness at any cost. I accept that may be USA electors see it as a positive thing but for myself it is a negative thing.
And what of Biden's idea to divide Iraq in three parts? I hope this is abandoned.
I am also not a supporter of the war on terror. It hasn't brought any results yet.
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Date: 2008-10-03 04:20 pm (UTC)Anti-nuclear proliferation seems to be a bigger issue -- it's going to be tough to put that genie back in the bottle anywhere, though, and Obama/Biden aren't talking about attacking Iran, thank goodness.
I think that the division of Iraq is metaphorical at best with the politicians worried about how the nascent state is going to ensure protection of civil rights in the regions for religious and cultural minorities -- again, reading the platform policy statements and Obama's other words on Iraq make it clear that he's looking to work with the Iraqis so that they can take over and he can withdraw helpfully.
I wish the war on terror had never started: it was stupid! I especially wish that no one had falsely extended that into Iraq, where NONE of this had ever occurred, despite the other abuses of Saddam Hussein's regime, no one could indict them in those attacks. However, now that Afghanistan has been a focus for the western alliance (including Canada) for these many years, but without sufficient support, I'm glad to hear that someone is saying "give them infrastructure, help them rebuild, help them to have something to offer that's countering the Taliban" when it comes to policies with Afghanistan.
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Date: 2008-10-03 05:33 pm (UTC)Anti-nuclear proliferation seems to be a bigger issue -- it's going to be tough to put that genie back in the bottle anywhere, though, and Obama/Biden aren't talking about attacking Iran, thank goodness.
Yes, this worries me too, as well as Nato expansion. It is all good and proper to call NATO "an instrument of bringing peace" (by Condoleeza Rice's words, though I don't remember them exactly) but planning of putting new nuclear warheads next to Russia is worrying me. Remember - "Peace is our profession!"
I'm glad to hear that someone is saying "give them infrastructure, help them rebuild, help them to have something to offer that's countering the Taliban" when it comes to policies with Afghanistan.
This is definitely a positive thing.
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Date: 2008-10-03 06:07 pm (UTC)Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:05 pm (UTC)That said, I was not opposed to the idea of the invasion of Afghanistan but I was terribly afraid of how it was going to be executed.
I don't really have time right now to say much else. I may respond to this post later in the day!
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:22 pm (UTC)Me too.
Re: Afganistan. 9/11 was a huge thing and I could understand that the USA government wanted to do SOMETHING about it.
However, remembering USSR's experience in Afganistan, fighting the same people, and especially local conditions with high amounts of desert mountains, it was very clear that the aims of defeating al-Qaida, Taliban and capturing Osama bin Laden would not be ever achieved. I think the USA has more chances doing it through their undercover CIA operations or bribe. Now it looks like Taliban is moving into Pakistan and Pakistan will be next? I hope not because again this will never work.
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:45 pm (UTC)Well, yes, I agree, overall. Again, I don't have a lot time right now!
Unlike many US citizens, I wasn't surprised by the events of 9/11. I was shocked of course, but I wasn't surprised. I had been talking about the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for years.
I also used to know quite a bit about Pakistan. I hate my sieve-like brain.
At some point I will probably have to make a post explaining my political positions and my personal belief system. I'm sure that it will be the longest post that I have ever written but I should do it.
Argh. I'm so bad on the internet. It's hilarious.
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-13 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-04 06:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-04 10:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-04 09:37 pm (UTC)- I exaggerate (a little) but in general I'd say, politicians say nothing but lies before the elections. So I don't think much about it.
- I always thought that Obama is the leser evil than McCain but once he's president he will be more conservative than people may think. Even if he wants to bring back troops from Afghanistan and Iraq it will take longer than people think.
- the "war on terror" will not end anytime soon. So many nations have now an infrastructure in place to "fight this war" terror but at the same time is just at least as efficient (probably even more so) in keeping their people in check by controlling what they are doing and saying. It is way too tempting for politicians to scare their people and pretend "they" are the only ones who can protect them.
- I suspect that the US will for a while have their hands full with economic problems (same goes for Russia). While sometimes governments start wars to deflect from domestic problems, I don't think they will do it for now because they can't finance it and in case of the US don't have the people to fight it.
On a different, more pleasant topic. I've watched the first two new episodes of "Life". I think I now know what you meant when you said that they made Detective Resese even more beautiful. :D
No more shirts but even more "figure-hugging" tops and she always wears her hair open. Now, I would be lying if I said that I don't find her more attractive on a physical level. However, I don't think it is really a good change. It's one of the cases where "less is more". It's far more attractive if she wears it open only in special situations. If she does it all the time then one gets used to it.
But don't get me wrong, that's not really a "problem" for me. But I would've preferred it if they hadn't changed it. :)
Any thoughts on the new eps/changes? The new chief?
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Date: 2008-10-04 10:19 pm (UTC)Russia always has economic problems. :D I am glad the bail-out plan was approved, this should make a big difference here in the UK (as well as Germany, I imagine).
Life:
I might agree with you on the less-in-more, but may be they are just trying to show that Dani is slowly recovering? I like her interaction with Charlie.
The new chief - I think I like him. Some of his phrases were really funny and he comes across as someone who is much more serious and intelligent than he is pretending to be. It might all change, but I like someone on Charlie and Dani's side, for once.
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Date: 2008-10-05 06:35 am (UTC)There are definitely big changes going on. Very big. In my view the USA is on a steady decline (in many ways), China is rising gradually and Russia is trying to get respected again. Let's hope there won't be any major "accidents" along the way.
While I am glad the bailout was passed I fear it is too little too late despite the enormous sums involved. It so far didn't break the negative psychology. There's a chance the central banks around the world will lower their interest rates on Monday in order to have a positive impact but it will be very difficult to change the mood. I think there's still the chance to cause a change in psychology but right now I don't know what might do it. I'm quite concerned.
Yes, they probably try to show that Dani is more comfortable. But I would've liked a more gradual progress. Another reason why I have a bit of a problem with that change is that one of the problems I have with the show in general is that at times it seems they add too much "scantily clad" women. Sometimes they use it to portray Charlie as sort of a playboy. I fear that it is done to make the show more "attractive" but sometimes it just looks "cheap".
Again, it's nothing that worries me and I shouldn't write so much about these very minor negatives since the main thing, the two main characters and their interaction are still intact. :)
I had some minor issues with the new chief in the first episode when he constantly hit on Dani. That seemed just very creepy. It didn't seem like a good way to intruduce a new character. I think he didn't do that in the second episode and I would like it if it won't happen again. Other than that I don't have a problem with him so far. Though I liked the "ambiguity" of the previous, female chief.
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Date: 2008-10-13 08:55 pm (UTC)I very much agree. Shows like CSI make me laugh, I always imagine how any REAL police-woman could strut around crime-scenes dressed "scantily clad", wearing jeans too tight to breathe, etc. etc. I remember there was one particular episode of CSI where a guy died in a bath upstairs. The CSI ladies came to investigate after he was in his bathtub for several days (with water flowing all over the house). What do you think - they were wearing tiny t-shirts whilst his remains were literally leaking on top of them from the ceiling. I imagine the real police having protective suits (and also NOT having so much money as to buy all this designer clothing).
** sigh ** It is just one of those things.
I had some minor issues with the new chief in the first episode when he constantly hit on Dani. That seemed just very creepy. It didn't seem like a good way to intruduce a new character. I think he didn't do that in the second episode and I would like it if it won't happen again. Other than that I don't have a problem with him so far. Though I liked the "ambiguity" of the previous, female chief.
The chief was very creepy at first but it all somehow stopped. May be the creators noticed the creepy effect. Now he just does some "skanky chief" remarks every now and then, but not too often. I ADORED his scene with the old police chief (the lady) in the yesterday's episode. It absolutely made my day. The guy is so eccentric, I like that.
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Date: 2008-10-14 08:02 pm (UTC)I'd say the latest (4th) one was the best one from this season. Very interesting case and I think I got some goosebumps when Charlie stood in front of his wall again at the end. :)
On a side note, there's a German movie about the experiment (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250258/) that formed the basis of the case of that episode (and they are planning a remake).
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Date: 2008-10-14 08:25 pm (UTC)For me too. And I also hope to see the new boss/the former boss partnership coming along. Hope to see more of her.
I watched that film a while ago (and it was great!) I must also report on the first serious film I have watched in a couple of month (being so brain-dead!) and LOVED TO BITS. There is a re-editing of Wong Kar Wai's "Ashes of time" out in the movie theatres here now, "Ashes of time Redux". We went to watch it with Mr Alexander last Saturday (sleepover parties are handy sometimes) . I loved loved loved it and so did Ian. I must make a post on this film.
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Date: 2008-10-05 02:35 am (UTC)Again, let me jsut move to Canada NOW, okay??
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Date: 2008-10-13 08:43 pm (UTC)