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napoleon_in_rags

(3,991 posts)
14. You're asking me if I protect the Saudi government?
Sat Feb 11, 2012, 06:37 PM
Feb 2012

If a guy who takes care of disabled people is propping up the Saudi government? The super rich, global player Saudi government?

No, I don't have POWER over the Saudi government, or Libya, or any of these places. My choice is whether to clap my hands on this forum when I see people protesting, or not. That's what you seem to be missing here, what happens over there is not in my control, and its largely not in almost aybody's control. The only thing I have any control over is putting my two cents in on what I think US foreign policy should be. I've given yo'u my two cents, which is that America shouldn't minimalize expensive military interventions, and exert subtle influence to help self governance in the middle east work for peaceful outcomes. Asking me whether I promote this stuff is like asking me if I promote rain. No, I don't, but look, its still raining.

Optimism. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #1
why is it a tough choice? pelsar Feb 2012 #4
No governence without consent of the governed. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #7
i'm asking a question of principle.... pelsar Feb 2012 #8
Nobody is doing that. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #10
so your claiming a dictatorship is a valuable form of self government? pelsar Feb 2012 #13
You're asking me if I protect the Saudi government? napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #14
come on...it was just getting interesting...don't run away now.. pelsar Feb 2012 #15
I'm talking about democracies. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #16
so basically you have no problem with dictatorships.....as long as they are voted in pelsar Feb 2012 #17
So you basically have no problem with invading every country in the middle east.... napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #18
no no no.......dont do that..... pelsar Feb 2012 #19
The thing I think you're missing is that we have no say over these things. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #20
Oh yes we do oberliner Feb 2012 #21
Than you should be answering pelsar, not me. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #24
forget whether or no we affect....maybe we do maybe we don't.... pelsar Feb 2012 #25
Its simply a situation where the ideal does not match the pragmatic reality. napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #28
I'm leaning towards Napoleon's opinion here... holdencaufield Feb 2012 #22
+1 well said. nt napoleon_in_rags Feb 2012 #23
the question is not whether we do anything about it..... pelsar Feb 2012 #26
The questions are interlinked holdencaufield Feb 2012 #27
I don't really disagree with you here... pelsar Feb 2012 #29
Can self determination exist in a non-democratic country? holdencaufield Feb 2012 #30
Democracy requires protecting the rights of unpopular minorities and individuals. Fozzledick Feb 2012 #2
who do you promote....support? pelsar Feb 2012 #3
That's not an easy call to make. Fozzledick Feb 2012 #6
i'm for the theory.... pelsar Feb 2012 #9
yes so much is so 'vunerable' to hijack these days isn't it? n/t azurnoir Feb 2012 #11
i have no idea what your writing about... pelsar Feb 2012 #12
well I guess a 'good thread' is worth repeating' azurnoir Feb 2012 #5
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Israel/Palestine»Gaza Christians long for ...»Reply #14