Afghanistan, and the situation there.

EDIT: Misunderstood the post. Ignore.

edited 1st Apr '11 8:31:00 PM by GameChainsaw

The term "Great Man" is disturbingly interchangeable with "mass murderer" in history books.

Or maybe.. I know, shocker, Democracy isn't for everyone?

There seems to be this all-pervading thought that DEMOCRACY MUUUUUST REIGN!

Works for some, not for others. Has the least vulnerabilities to tyranny if proper checks and balances are installed, but the most bureaucracy.

I don't subscribe to the train of thought that we have to spread it like herpes on a Carrier. I approve of Democracy, but I don't think it's right to spoon feed it to so many different countries, reeks too much of hubris to me.

We only impose democracy on our client states, and even then, there are strings attached.

But enough of pointing fingers. If everyone here at least agrees that bringing democracy to the 'primitives' is a pointless exercise, I'm happy.

I'm a skeptical squirrel

Democracy works only if the people want it. If they don't, tough cheddar foreign powers who think its good for them. It doesn't work.

This is why the middle eastern events are so valuable. These people aren't just asking for democracy, they're willing to fight for it.

The term "Great Man" is disturbingly interchangeable with "mass murderer" in history books.

I just saw an article saying that a mob stormed a UN office and killed 7 people. This can't be good.

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play

13+.

All cuz of some dumb redneck Florida pastor.

Final Fantasy, Foreign Policy, and Bollywood. Helluva combo, that...

To be honest, that 2.2 million dollar bounty that an Islamic Extremist group put up is looking pretty damn good right about now.

DAMMIT I KNEW PEOPLE WERE GOING TO FUCKING DIE OVER THAT.

Barkey: Only go for it if you can catch them on photo shaking your American Imperialist hand as they pass the briefcase full of cash.

2.2 million dollars + one less fundie + discredit an Islamist jackass by making him look like a sellout = Bargain Package Deal.

This post should be read tongue in cheek.

Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.

Quite frankly, I have lost respect for the Afghan people because of this. I guess I will never understand how burning a book that is not exactly rare can inspire such hatred.

edited 1st Apr '11 10:53:32 PM by FrodoGoofballCoTV

^

They are understandably pissed. Killing people over it isn't appropriate, especially UN workers who may or may not be American in the first place.

I'll settle for the 2.2 mil. If I can snap a picture, that's a bonus. But to be honest I'd rather it wasn't known that I did that. Next thing you know the Christians would put up a bounty on me, and it'd be Smokin Aces: Barkey Edition.

...okay guess I'll be the only one to ask...

This attack took place over a year after some pastor burned their holy book. So did it take that long just to plan an attack that only killed 13 people?

...and anyone think they did this during April Fools day of all time on purpose or just a funny coincidence?

Do people there even know what April Fools is?

edited 1st Apr '11 11:19:57 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

He threatened to burn the Koran a year ago and didn't do it. Then he suddenly did a week or so ago, and they've been baying for his head since.

Final Fantasy, Foreign Policy, and Bollywood. Helluva combo, that...

And he did it in a mind numbingly retarded "court" fashion too.

...so it took the pastor an entire year to do what he said he was going to do more than a year ago...

Then this has nothing to do with April Fools asides from coincidentally taking place during this day.

^ So he went to court to burn it or something? Or just did it very formally like a ritual?

---

Anyone wanna hear a "Funny Aneurysm" Moment story? A friend of mine's boyfriend works in foreign countries taking care of the sick or something. During the morning, her parents called and said her boyfriend was found dead...five seconds later that yelled APRIL FOOLS.

In her parents defence, they probably didn't know about the attack on the UN.

...that had completely nothing to do with Anyuerisms.

edited 1st Apr '11 11:27:02 PM by Signed

"Every opinion that isn't mine is subjected to Your Mileage May Vary."

"On March 20, 2011, Pastor Terry Jones oversaw the burning of the Quran by Pastor Wayne Sapp.[168] The Quran was placed on a mock criminal trial for six hours on various charges such as inciting murder, rape or terrorist activities.[169][170] The "prosecutor" was reported to be a Christian who had converted from Islam; the "defense attorney" was reported to be an Imam from Dallas, Texas; and the "jury" was made up of twelve church members and volunteers. At the end of the "trial" the Quran was found guilty of all charges and "sentenced" to destruction by burning.[171]"

Also, I assume your friend's response was a justified "FUCK YOU"

GOD I FUCKING HATE APRIL FOOLS, ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE PULL OFF "JOKES" LIKE THAT AGAGAOIPAJIFJAF

edited 1st Apr '11 11:30:53 PM by Thorn14

If you're willing to change your name, I'd help fake your death if you split that bounty.

Okay, back on topic. How do we keep the advances in women's rights, meagre as they've been, from being lost in Afghanistan? Taking all their women with us when they leave sounds like the wrong approach...

Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.

Give the women weaponry?

That'd be an interesting approach.

Hell, they do tribal, right? How do you establish a matriarchy in one of the most gynophobic cultures on the planet?

Share it so that people can get into this conversation, 'cause we're not the only ones who think like this.

Constant internicine warfare seems to be the best way.

I hope I don't have to put "sarcasm mode" on that. The fact is its going to be tricky, but training in self defence can't be too bad a start.

Unfortunately it wouldn't work, perhaps in larger cities like Kandahar, Kabul, or Jalalabad, but not in the majority of Afghanistan. Most of the women have this whole way of life so engrained in their head that they honestly believe it's right and that the way they are treated is the way they are supposed to be treated.

No bullshit, it's made me cry a few times.

Education helps there. Show women there that there is another way. Whether or not they take the other way, on the other hand...

edited 2nd Apr '11 6:05:19 AM by GameChainsaw

The term "Great Man" is disturbingly interchangeable with "mass murderer" in history books.

Education is the answer to all of this. Not just for the women.

@Barkey: If you take that fundie out I'm more than willing to aid and abet.

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.