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| Thread ID: 24419 | 2002-09-10 22:03:00 | More off topic(sorry).. September 11, a perspective. | Terry Porritt (14) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 78278 | 2002-09-10 22:03:00 | It was the first time America experienced "death from the skies" in a homeland city. So whilst not downplaying the tragedy in any way, for those of us who were around in other dark days spending cold winter nights in air-raid shelters listening to the drone of enemy planes, the crump of falling bombs wondering what or if we would see next morning, we may perhaps be forgiven for being a little cynical over all the hype and endless world-wide re-plays surrounding this dreadful event. Here are some comparitive figures for those killed in Uk air raids: Aicraft bombs: 51,500 V-1: 5,184 V-2: 2,754 Whilst across the channel, the "whirlwind" reaped by Germany resulted in 50,000 killed in one night during the first Hamburg firestorm, variously 135,000-250,000 estimated for the February 1945 Dresden firestorm. Across the world in Tokyo in March 1945, about 100,000 were killed in that firestorm. (Figures often forgotten when Hiroshima is discussed) Now we have the prospect of another whirlwind being unleashed in the Middle East, I despair of human behaviour :( :( |
Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 78279 | 2002-09-10 22:23:00 | I am cynical about the whole thing like yourself. However the reason i think the Americans are so lost with themselves is because of the surprise of it all, and that it was able to penetrate the US defenses (yes we know they never really had any defenses anyway) and hit some of the most important land marks in America. Also the President ueses it as a patriotic tool, to bring Americans together, of which it has done pretty well. He abuses the tragedy and used to to his advantage to maintain his presidentsy, but also to do things that that he would not be allowed to do normally (the whole IRAQ, UN thing) One of the bad things to come out of this fiasco is the increased ethnocentric (our way is the best) behaviour of the Americans. And i seriously believe that this could bring down the American's economy. It is interesting to note that there is no global ruling body in this world, ie we are in a global anarchy. The UN was developed to help elminate some of this while trying to meet some main objectives such as human rights. THe UN has 200+ members who abide by the rules. America whos also a core memeber of the UN then comes along and says "OK i'm gonna attack Iraq whether you like it or not" Hence defeating some of the purpose of the UN. Now if the rest of the UN disagrees with Bush and Tony on this one and go and attack IRAQ, they may indeed feel a backlash from the other UN countries. You can notice the disconcent at the moment from other UN countries such as NZ, France, etc. For the very reason that if the UN policies are ignored then there the world will be thrown deeper into global Anarchy as the UN will mean nothing, and since America started all of it; like i say will be the one to feel the backlash. |
roofus (483) | ||
| 78280 | 2002-09-10 23:42:00 | What amazes me is, that on one hand, the Americans are grieving for their lost loved ones, yet want to inflict the same misery on the innocent in Iraq. There have been a couple of excellent docos on Prime in the last few weeks, where NY residents, Firefighters and survivors from TwinTowers want to be left alone to get on with their lives and greive in peace. BALDY:-) |
Baldy (26) | ||
| 78281 | 2002-09-11 01:13:00 | At the risk of sounding uncaring and callous, I just about had all I can take. The day it happened will be with me for the rest of my life, it was a very strange day. In reaction, I juggled a soccer ball with my feet and finally got to a hundred, never done it before or since. But it is just too much. I know it is still recent, but come on, this is more than decent people can handle. As for Iraq, let's not go there. Nothing good can come of this. robo. |
robo (205) | ||
| 78282 | 2002-09-11 01:37:00 | Well said Robo - I agree. I am sad that people want to air their prejudices in this forum. True - a large number of people have died in the many senseless wars around the world throughout history, but that doesn't mean that those who died in the senseless acts of terrorism in the USA should go unmourned. I deplore any senseless, unnecessary, untimely, wasted death in any form, whether it be on the roads, in the air or at sea - whether it be as a result of terrorism or war or accident or even the stupidity of home invasion or the bashings that happened in Avondale/Mt Albert recently. It has become fashionable to say that the Americans deserved what they got on September 11. To do so shows a total intolerance bordering on the same xenophobia shown by those who perpetrated the attacks, and a total lack of compassion for those going about their lawful business. How about locking this thread now? |
Chris Randal (521) | ||
| 78283 | 2002-09-11 02:27:00 | If hatred of senseless slaughter is prejudice, then perhaps someone should learn to read what is written!!!!!!!!!! | Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 78284 | 2002-09-11 05:55:00 | Chris R, I have passed your comments on to someone who knows much of these things, and I will try to get him to respond himself, but here is my view: The states never ever deserved what they got - this I am sure of. Think of all the greif caused by just one person who is close to you dying. That person is someones mother/father etc, etc. Now multiply that 1500 fold. However, what I am upset about is President Bush and Mr Chaney's manipulation and opportunistic actions as a result of the attack. Without going in to details, Mr. Bush has acted like achild with nice shiny toys (read weapons). His refusal to comply with the Kyoto protocol, his threats of "us or them" on America's peace-seeking allies, the manipulation of the UN due to the US's large voting power (they have veto rights as a super power), the blatant disregard for the WSSD, their petty attacks on Afghanistan, the military "mistakes" which killed innocent civillians, the propaganda war, the feeding of misinformation to american troops to encourage violence, the attack on Iraq... and on it goes. Mr. Bin Laden - damn you. Not for the attack itself so much, but rather for giving G W Bush the excuse he needed. Mr Bush - if you continue, you will cause irrpeparable damage that the world will not recover from. Mr. Randal - I sympathise with the American people, they not only lost their loved ones and now live in fear, but they have a pin-headed arsewipe in power. Let us not go too much further as this is not the right forum, but if you wish to discuss things further, my email address can be found on my website (http://www.2guys1girl.tk). G P |
Graham Petrie (449) | ||
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