OT (or is it?): American Imperialism

[RudyHuxtable]

I would just like to say that if we want to see an end to the actions the US takes, it's actually simpler than you think. It's called speaking up.

During the rise of Hitler, he began instating programs during the time of '35-'36 (sorry I don't remember specifics right now) and the people, including the international community said F-U dude, no way. The man caved. So if HITLER can cave under international pressure, so can GW. I call my Congressman whenever something goes on I don't like, but I'm only one voice. Get everyone else to do it and we'll have the power back where it belongs.

[Gozra]

I have observed that people in general have a problem with facts. If it does not support their world view then apparently it is not a correct fact. I find that it is very difficult to have a debate and convince someone that they are wrong or maybe changing their world view might be a correct thing to do. Voices advocating reason are few and far between and the ability to change your mind based on verifiable facts is a talent that is hard to find. We have slowly developed a society that stands on their rights and refuses their responsibilities and has a hard time understanding their duties. I think this situation is a product of more people living in cities and organized for group think rather than Independent style of living out in the country.
As to current events President Bush has outlined a stragety that can work against global terrorism but since we are unable by ourselves to make it work mostly what will happen is the law of unintended consequences. And liberal and conservative elements will take advantage to tweak things their own way with most of us in the middle. I think the best thing to do now is find a place to watch from the sidelines and hope to figure the best time to jump in and make a difference. Maybe the right difference.

[Alneyan]

StrategiaInUltima said:
I don't think Japan has ever invaded an Islamic country.

WW2 perhaps? Indonesia is mostly an Islamic country (among others), but I do not know if Japan conquered Indonesia during WW2 (modern history has never been my cup of tea).

And Japan has been trying to "impose their culture": mangas and animes are much more popular here than comics, and Asian restaurants are simply more common than places selling American beer. I would not call this imposing culture, however; at best, governments can try to promote their culture aboard, or make it harder for foreign culture to "invade" the country.

[Strategia_In_Ultima]

Japan conquered Indonesia, alright. They conquered whole fricking East Asia from China to the Pacific and from Hokkaido (but that already was Japan) to New Guinea. But that was in a time when Japan was a fascist empire. I was talking about nowadays.

Though I don't know if Indonesia was islamic in WWII. Back then, we still controlled it, and we were christian. I think that most of the population there was christian as well (like in the Phillippines) and that it only became an Islamic country after they had (rightfully, I think) won their independence.

(I know I've been using "islamic" and "Islamic".)

[TerranC]

Japan conquered Indonesia, alright. They conquered whole fricking East Asia from China to the Pacific and from Hokkaido (but that already was Japan) to New Guinea. But that was in a time when Japan was a fascist empire. I was talking about nowadays.

What makes you think they have changed completely? What makes you so sure that the entire japanese population does not harbour right-wing ideas and nostalgia for their past?

Though I don't know if Indonesia was islamic in WWII. Back then, we still controlled it, and we were christian. I think that most of the population there was christian as well (like in the Phillippines) and that it only became an Islamic country after they had (rightfully, I think) won their independence.

Mr. Dutchman, read what you have typed there once more, very carefully, word per word, and see if it makes sense.

[geoschmo]

Islam spread to Indonesia by way of the Asian continent hundreds of years before Christianity came with the Porteguese and Spanish explorers. I don't know what the percentage of followers for each by population was before WWII though.

[Nodachi]

America is not guilty of cultural imperialism (at least not in this century). What is being observed is a blending of cultures brought about by the advent of high speed communication.

[Strategia_In_Ultima]

http://projectxstudios.com/funny/europe_usa.jpg

slightly related to "cultural imperialism": Europe strikes back!

[Strategia_In_Ultima]

A blending of cultures... where the predominant culture is the mainstream American one.

If it doesn't make sense, well heck. As long as my point gets across I don't matter if I'm writing something in English, then encrypt it using an alphanumeric key, translate what I've got into Chinese, encrypt that using another alphanumeric key, translate it into Indonesian and then back into English.

If THAT doesn't make sense, well heck. As long as my point gets across...

[Nodachi]

A blending of cultures... where the predominant culture is the mainstream American one.

That is actually true, but only because American culture is a mix of many different cultures and the blending of cultures is what is spreading around the world.