WikiLeaks

[ruckman101]

I am skeptical of the history related by the victors.


neal

[vdubyah73]

results of imperialism. take the continent of africa for example.. what a mess for the most part, right? During the age of imperialism we went and kicked the barbary pirates ass and went home. what did Europe do to the rest of africa during the same age? how are the former colonies of european nations in africa doing now? You just don't want to know. Look at the facts, the first half of the post you don't understand gives a short explanation of some of our so called imperialistic actions. Most territories we acquired were the results of 2 wars that we won. former colonies from the defeated nations became ours. those that wanted freedom were eventually given there freedom and succeeded. Cuba was successful until the socialist revolution of the castro brothers. There was poverty before castro there is terrible poverty now. several territories acquired remain our territories because they wish to.
Middle east was fucked up by the europeans as well. we had no colonies or territories there. we propped up some dictators to try to keep the region stable and out of the control of the USSR. Were mistakes made? sure. Have you ever had a lapse in judgment? Probably because you are human. Move on or run for office and change things.

[ruckman101]

lol, what saviors we be.


neal

[ruckman101]

On the eve of the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Washington Post saw beyond Cuba: "We are face to face with a strange destiny. The taste of Empire is in the mouth of the people even as the taste of blood in the jungle."

[turk]

Nobody's perfect. The U.S. has done more to spread wealth and freedom than any other country I can think of though. Even China's "wealth", and growth of a new middle class, as recently remarked on fawningly by Obama, is inextricably tied to the U.S.. Without the U.S. there is tyranny, oppression, poverty, and chaos in the world. WWII could have turned out much differently. Now we have the ascendence of bitter , poor, begrudging Marxists with a lot of time on their hands to take aim at the Giant. Lilliputians with a vendetta. They need a purpose in their little lives, so they pick the easiest target and claim universal moral superiority. It's a bunch of hot air mostly. Their language is peppered with hyperbole and vague symbolism, to cause an uproar and point a villain out respectively. It's sophomoric. The U.S. is not a conquistador for a noble oligarchy. We are a moderate constitutional conservative republic. We exercise democracy in our republic, as demonstrated by the recent elections in 2008 and 2010.

[ruckman101]

I want some of that kool-aid. You forgot to mention the election the shrub stole.

Ask the native americans about that spread of wealth and freedom, the ones that survived the ethnic cleansing.


neal

[vdubyah73]

you just love to hate. You know we have someone here in Ma. some of you might believe to be a hero. It will make national news in a day or two. An arsonist is torching rich peoples homes and spray painting "fuck the rich" on them. They won't call it a hate crime here because the home owners are white.

[ruckman101]

I'm a lover not a fighter won't you spend a one-nighter with my pound of flesh. Boobs not bombs.


neal

[ruckman101]

Violence is a tool of the weak. I'd suggest you read "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. No corporate backing there.


neal

[Cindy]

"Several territories acquired remain our territories because they wish to."

In most cases, the people "wishing to" are benefiting from U.S. exploitation and do not represent the majority population of the territory.

Cindy.

[Cindy]

duplicate post

[ruckman101]

Here's a little essay by Howard to whet your appetite.

http://www.stwr.org/united-states-of-am ... mpire.html


neal

[turk]

Being one of the top dogs in the world comes with a huge price. I don't take everything Zinn said as scripture. I'll agree he had some points. Everybody can be criticized. Nobody is perfect. Not even the native Americans. They killed each other too. They are idealized but they had their skirmishes and what not on their scale. Oh, take a look at the maps thread in the other forum and what twinfalls said about the map in the Arab Emirates.

[RussellK]

"Several territories acquired remain our territories because they wish to."

In most cases, the people "wishing to" are benefiting from U.S. exploitation and do not represent the majority population of the territory.

Cindy.

My limited knowledge of Guam is they are quite happy the US is relocating a base there. Cindy I've not read of discontent emanating from the general population of US territories. Can you share the source of your information?

[Cindy]

"Several territories acquired remain our territories because they wish to."

In most cases, the people "wishing to" are benefiting from U.S. exploitation and do not represent the majority population of the territory.

Cindy.

My limited knowledge of Guam is they are quite happy the US is relocating a base there. Cindy I've not read of discontent emanating from the general population of US territories. Can you share the source of your information?

Puerto Rico is a prime example. If you are wealthy enough to own property (especially sugar plantations), you can play the economic game the U.S. has imposed. Similar situation in Cuba.** If you are poor, too bad.

There was a workable system in each place prior to U.S. involvement (not necessarily a just system, as in Cuba with Spanish rule), but there was less direct exploitation.

And, of course, the loss of autonomy is cause for obvious discontent. Puerto Rico has little decision-making power, economically and politically.

**Cuba is not a territory of the U.S. but it is affected in much the same way.

Cindy