Free speech? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 01:49:33 pm
content: One of the few sane commentaries I’ve read on the recent obscene fiasco over that dumb Youtube video.http://www.aei.org/article/foreign-and-defense-policy/regional/middle-east-and-north-africa/the-last-gasp-of-islamic-hate/

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 02:24:50 pm
content: About time someone called it as it really is.Regards

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 02:27:19 pm
content: AEI, not exactly an impartial source.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 03:19:58 pm
content: A religion that cannot stand scrutiny or criticism is surely very weak at its core. All the demonstrators against that film are in themselves poorly educated even some of the mullahs ore poorly educated outside of the Qumran and therefore have a rather shaded view of the world and are easily led by others who have an ulterior motive for their pontification's. The only sure cure for the world problems is education,education,education. This is of course why a lot of Islamic organizations and states wont allow girls to go to school and attack any school that dares to teach any thing other than the Qumran, when you consider that a lot of science is based on what was discovered by the Muslim world hundreds of years ago and the present state of affairs, it makes one wonder as to what has gone wrong with the interpretation of the Qumran over the past few century's, after all at one time they were the enlightened ones during the European dark ages.

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 06:22:35 pm
content: There's no reason to be islamaphobic about this. The US has plenty of great examples of this very same behavior: Texas requiring disclaimers about evolution, the never ending attempts to put prayer back in public schools, the fact that, in some surveys, as many as a third of our citizens believe in angels and nearly a quarter believe in spells and witchcraft...

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 07:49:15 pm
content: Quote from: poptones on September 24, 2012, 06:22:35 pmI must say I do believe in magic. Specifically Black Magic. Even more specifically, anything to do with EMC and or RF design.Neil

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 11:39:24 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on September 24, 2012, 03:19:58 pmThe greatest advancement in our modern civilisation has been education and equal rights for women.The few remaining countries and cultures that don't have either are in their death throws.What has gone wrong? It's a classic power struggle. Those in power want to remain that way, and they are smart enough to know that lack of free thinking education and keeping half the population (women) under fear, that they are able to cling onto power. Their holy book and the fear of god is the classic way to do it. It won't last, they are doomed to failure.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 24, 2012, 11:49:20 pm
content: Quote from: poptones on September 24, 2012, 06:22:35 pmFor sure, but far from the same violent extent.In the US (and other free democratised western countries) you can just walk away from that crap, and be in the vast majority and not suffer any violence, threats, or much if any social outcasting. You can't do that in the oppressive islamic countries, where the penalty for apostasy for example, is quite often, death. And where women do not have equal rights.Dave.

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 12:48:46 am
content: The modern world, modern jobs, modern technology, virtually everything modern as opposed to things ancient, serves to elevate women, to reduce their shortcomings in relation to men, and highlight their strengths.And if you think your civilization can be a player in this world with half your brains (okay, perhaps a bit more) tied behind your back...You. Are. Wrong.Sorry about that.

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 01:01:59 am
content: In the US (and other free democratised western countries) you can just walk away from that crap, and be in the vast majority and not suffer any violence, threats, or much if any social outcasting.Sure... right up until the time when the population has become so stupid they don't even understand the words to the Constitution much less their meaning. I have two nephews who FLUNKED frakking kindergarten because their dumbass parents (who I love, but sometimes my bro's a dumbass) won't even sit and read with them so they're 7 years old before they even grasp the ABCs. I've seen my niece doing science projects with nails and wire and batteries in HIGH SCHOOL that I remember doing in third grade! The public schools teach kids to be good consumers, not to be thinkers. If you have money and can afford private school you can afford to give your kids a decent education so they can become "leaders" of the sheep. And one of the most effective means of leading those sheep, proven through thousands of years of history, is religion.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 10:03:51 am
content: As I am not knowledgable enough to rant about technical stuff (actually I learn from you guys) let me rant about this topic:)Actually the West likes Muslims to stay ignorant and follow their Coran so that the westerners can do their business and suck their oil while the "clothheads" are worshipping. Now some "more or less" smart people try to modernize their country but then they get carpet-bombed under the pretext that they are dictators and have (non existing) weapons of mass destruction, the latest example of which is Asad of Syria. I know from my own country that radicalism and fundamentalism in the Muslim world everywhere is supported by USA, this is sad but this is true. Because it is very convenient to have extremists in power, this allows you to militarily intervene and seize a country. France is going to do that in Mali where fundamentalists cause destruction. Afganistan was a more or less modern country where women could live a more or less modern life in 1960's. Look at where they are now. As for the admin you should not have much hope. He does not hide his political opinion, so does the owner of this website. I think it is "take it or leave it". Another proof that free speech and democracy are just words and the western type democracy is just bullshit.By the way the Jewish religion if applied strictly, is as restricting as Islam (regarding the rights of women, etc.). Look at the orthodox Jews in Israel but from there you cannot say the rest of the Jews are bigots can you?Oh, I remember Martine Scorsese had a movie named "The Last Temptation of Christ" in 1980's; as soon as it came out in France there were bomb threats and actual bombs were placed in cinemas. It did not last long. I wanted to watch it but they removed it from cinemas.One should remember the attacks on clinics in USA which practice abortion. And in one case I think even a person (a doctor) was murdered.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 10:11:13 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 07:28:31 amMaybe they thought it was a funny? Maybe they thought it was creative in some way? Maybe they thought it was story telling? Or maybe they just did it piss some people off.But it doesn't matter, the point is that they should be free to do it without the threat of being murdered for it, or the life long scaring of knowing that it has caused the deaths of many people due to the riots etc.The biggest problem with Islam is that muslims (particularly in the stricter countries) get horribly offended at almost everything that is in any way to perceived to involve their religion or the way they way want to do things. And unfortunately often that results in the violence we have seen. And it seems that the more slack we western cultures cut them in terms of appeasement, the more they want to try and muscle into modern western lifestyle even further in terms of wanting to implement their "sharia law" and special rights etc.All of the various christian religions have learnt to tolerate criticism, mocking, satire, insults etc, and you rarely if ever do you hear of any riots, death threats, actual deaths etc due to someone "insulting" their religion in their view. That sort of stuff died out hundreds of years ago, and rightly so.So sorry, the film producers have every right to do what they did, and have every right to not have death threats because it, nor have anyone else killed because it, nor have riots because it. To think otherwise is just plan stupid and medieval. Or to think that no one should "insult" the muslims in any way is just untenable.The fundamental right of free speech (and tolerance of it) is the backbone of modern western civilisation and human rights, and is the only way the human race can progress as a civilised society.There is no way the muslim culture can progress unless they accept this and stop being offended at everything.What we are seeing now is the death throws of a religious culture that is starting to learn that it cannot continue in the modern world with it's way of thinking.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 11:27:57 am
content: Sorry Mechatrommer, but I really don't understand what you are saying at all (the language gap?), so I'm not going to bother debating it. I've said what I want to say on the topic.Not that I want to get another 1000 post religious thread going again anyway.Dave.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 12:20:18 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 07:28:31 amHang on. It's a 'clear crossing line' and an 'insult' to portray your prophet, so therefore it's OK to murder people who didn't actually do anything apart from represent the country of someone who offended you and just call them 'collateral damage'? And you have the bare-faced cheek to lecture people on 'freedom of speech'?QuoteWise advice. Perhaps it would behoove the "oh no somebody doesn't like my religion I'd better kill them" crowd to follow it, too.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 02:06:09 pm
content: Anyone see Dateline this evening?http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/about/id/601553/n/The-Taliban-s-War-on-WomenThe video of the young woman being executed in front of a few dozen men laughing and shouting “Allah is Great!” has gone viral.Where is the commensurate Muslim outrage, angst and mass protest against that abuse of their faith? The hypocrisy of “moderate” Muslims overblowing insensitivities of the West when this kind of culturally-entrenched atrocity and medievalism is common place in some of their homelands is utterly gob smacking.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 02:57:36 pm
content: The real story behind all of this violence in the middle east lies with the cold war. It started with the British not being able to pay for building the Aswan dam, so the Egyptians went to the Russians to help build it, the Russians were all to pleased to help as they knew it would stuff a rat up the US backside. The US responded by pouring arms into the nearest state they could find that would accept them, Israel. the Russians upped the anti by pouring arms int as many Arab states that would take them and then the KGB set about fomenting trouble it did not take a lot as whatever the Arab's were egged into doing the Israelis would always respond ten fold.

author: ToBeFrank
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 03:49:17 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 02:25:31 pmThis is a good example...Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 02:25:31 pm

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 06:34:16 pm
content: Pakistan PM you know the guy that believes in make-believe magic-man behind his faith that he uses to enable his hatred has decided what the world really need is international blasphemy laws..... dave would be screwedin other news the pope approves condomshttp://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C09%5C23%5Cstory_23-9-2012_pg7_2

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 08:19:08 pm
content: Ah, now I see what's going on. Methinks someone here tried a holy speil and had his thread deleted. Let me address this on the issue of free speech...As for the admin you should not have much hope. He does not hide his political opinion, so does the owner of this website. I think it is "take it or leave it". Another proof that free speech and democracy are just words and the western type democracy is just bullshit.Whose forum is this? Do you pay the hosting bill, or generate the userbase? I certainly don't.He who pays the bill gets to pick the speech. That's how it works. If you want to start a holy crusade you can get free reliable cloud hosting for a year at amazon, go for it. The talking heads on FOX don't get to spew any nonsense they like, only the nonsense their boss approves, and that's the way it is everywhere. No one is stopping Glenn Beck from changing his message and taking it to NBC or CNN, and no one is stopping you from saying what you want to say... just not here.And with that, I'm outta here.

author: ToBeFrank
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2012, 09:47:10 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 02:25:31 pmHere is another example...Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 25, 2012, 04:24:05 pm

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 02:00:14 am
content: This is a singularly depressing thread. Really, listening to one more-or-less moderate Muslim having to defend his faith in the face of a sustained onslaught of not-quite-culturally-literate westerners is sad, almost as sad as some of the not-so-moderate things he feels he has to defend in the process. :-(Islam is spread across the entire world and comes in many different flavors and with many different interpretations, just like <shock!> Christianity does. Some of them manage to never get around to the whole treating-women-like-shit thing. Some do, some don't. Well, what do you know?Islam has everything built into it you need to live a virtuous and decent life, or one of depravity and violence, just like <shock!> Christianity does. Read some of that shit in the OT and tell me about a loving God. Go ahead. I dare you. Then read to me from Revelation and ditto. Pffft....The problems that Islam has with nutjob extremest followers is very similar <shock!> to the one that Christianity and Judaisim has. When I bought my first full case of rifle ammo (a thousand rounds of 7.62 NATO ball, Australian production, oddly enough...), it was with the idea in mind of Gerry Fallwells Chrisitan Soldiers coming to convert me at bayonet point. Well, I was going to take quite a few of them with me, but as it turned out, I'm still here and he's dead. Fuck him.The problems that Islam has with women predates the arrival of the prophet Mohamed PBUH and are not the sort of thing that Mohamed would have ever condoned, Hey, you want to know another prophet that thought that women were being shit on unfairly and thought pretty well of women (even whores!) and then his followers <shock!> shit all over them anyway? Lets just say he was a carpenter by trade and hailed from a place called Nazarea... sound familiar?Sad. And now, I will return to my bottle of red wine and bowl of chicken and rice stew, and boozily contemplate the nature of humanity some more...And allow me to add...the rights that protect the ability of boneheads to make derogatory Islamophobic videos ARE THE VERY SAME RIGHTS that protects the ability of Muslims to be openly Muslim in a predominantly Christian country. Sorry. Its a package deal.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 04:45:17 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 26, 2012, 04:28:27 amI have to chime back in here, I can't help myself.WOW, that is the most stunningly ignorant statement I've heard in a long time!Do you really think you have "freedom of speech"against(because that's what free speech is!, against, not just for) islam in any of the islamic ruled countries? Really?Even in your own country, following any "form" of islam other than "sunni" isillegal!It is also illegal to convert a muslim, or for a muslim to convert to another faith! (or presumably lose their faith?)And that's in a relatively progressive majority muslim country!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_MalaysiaDave.

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 05:13:05 am
content: As an Australian i live by the "Fair Go" philosophy where all Australian have equal rites. However, recent events have forced me to rethink this when it comes to the Muslims here. From my point of view the riots in Sydney are as far from Australian as one can get. There is no place for these actions in Australia, not now, not ever.After these actions, i now have the belief that here in Australia you ether get along or get out. Riots over trivial videos are not an acceptable behaviour from ANY religion/race/group.RegardsJust an Aussie Spin on this mess.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 05:29:45 am
content: Quote from: PeterG on September 26, 2012, 05:13:05 amIMO they have every right to protest (except the violence part, and the death threats), and their right to protest like that should be protected and supported. I don't care if you are muslim, neo-nazi or worship aliens, everyone should (and does in this country) have a basic fundamental right to make an absolute dick of yourself protesting anything you damn well want.But you'll do it peacefully and not make death threats or use or threaten violence. Riots, violence, and death threats are not part of civilised Australian society.And we have laws against that. So those who want to do that shit, I hope you go to jail, or better yet, leave, permanently.How the parent of that kid that held up the beheading sign was not charged with something like child abuse is beyond me.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 05:59:40 am
content: Quote from: GeoffS on September 24, 2012, 02:27:19 pmUrgh, you aren't wrong.QuoteQuoteQuoteDave.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 06:09:09 am
content: Quote from: bullet308 on September 26, 2012, 02:00:14 amWhat is really depressing is the fact that the sentiment expressed throughout that whole rant is pretty much typical of the thoughtlessly myopic (in today’s global environment) and morally bankrupt cultural relativism that one can read by the truckload on the internet and in every left-leaning rag or newspapers opinion piece.An obscene state of affairs erupts on a global scale in response to some stupid Youtube video and by and large all you get, essentially, is an assortment of fools making excuses for it or talking down its significance or implications.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 06:27:10 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 26, 2012, 05:59:40 amI knew that was going to come up. It also stands on the record that when the activist, politician and author of that article I linked to in the opening post was, essentially, lynched from her previous country of residence under extreme threats of death accompanied by riots and violence, the only Think Tank that was willing to give the political science graduate a job and foot her personal security bill was the conservative AEI. The left-leaning outfits for all their supposed worth as champions of the secular ideal and free speech didn’t care for the controversy, or the trouble.Those unfamiliar with the author might want to check out her bio before making any judgements based on which organisation she works for. IMO her books, in particular her autobiography,Infidel, are mandatory reading for anyone generally interested in the issues under discussion. Hardly a “culturally ignorant” voice of criticism on women’s rights and Islamic fundamentalism.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 06:31:39 am
content: Quote from: GK on September 26, 2012, 06:27:10 amI for one make no judgement about her based on who she works or writes for. Her article and reputation stands on it's own merits.It is a shame she appears to be associated with such a group though.Dave.

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 07:09:51 am
content: An obscene state of affairs erupts on a global scale in response to some stupid Youtube video and by and large all you get, essentially, is an assortment of fools making excuses for it or talking down its significance or implications.That's what those pulling the stringswantyou to think. The truth is this movie was on the net for MONTHS. Where was the outrage in JULY when these videos were first posted? (It's all right there - go look it up yourself)When was our ambassador killed? SEPTEMBER ELEVEN. The spin about riots may have an essence of truth to it, but isn't it a mighty big coincidence this video was out for months but those protests didn't happen until the second week of September? I wonder who might have reason to exploit such coincidences?http://youtu.be/CHU9ou4r5gUhttp://dailycaller.com/2011/10/21/progressives-islamists-huddle-at-justice-department/

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 08:30:28 am
content: Quote from: poptones on September 26, 2012, 07:09:51 amThere was probably as much concocted outrage over that video as there was genuine visceral offence; either way it made for a convenient excuse to violently vent an undercurrent of general contempt for the West (and America in particular). Of course politicians, political hopefuls, pundits and commentators over here will conflagrate and distort realities and facts to satisfy their own prejudices and/or advance their own aims and agendas.However all that is just stating the bleeding obvious. There is enough unbiased reporting amongst the muck for any sufficiently motivated person become reasonably well informed.It is not clear to me exactly who you think “those pulling the strings” are, or exactly what is the point you are trying to make in your post. It seems something incoherent that you concocted within a 30 second brain fart of reading my post on an emotional impulse to retort with something contrary. That said I'd like to mention that I am not partial to either discussing or debating conspiracy theories.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 11:29:17 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 26, 2012, 09:35:02 amYeah, and if you’re from where Ayaan was born, it’s the jinns who are constantly meddling in your misfortune (even Jews!).Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 26, 2012, 09:35:02 amOh really? So those killed aren’t just “collateral damage” anymore?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 12:18:19 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 26, 2012, 12:17:07 pmGood guess.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 12:24:13 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on September 26, 2012, 12:21:22 pmAs you well know, your previous two attempts to post were not relevant to the subject under discussion.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 01:31:46 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on September 25, 2012, 11:07:07 pmThis last one was organized by the American neocons themselves.Only idiots believe that a few mollahs are able to master that high technology and penetrate US defenses and that controlled demolition of the twin towers was so obvious. It was a group of ultra conservatives who did that and many many people around the world believe that not only conspiracy theorists.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 01:54:59 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 01:31:46 pmNo, I think you'll find that the idea that 'ultra conservative' Americans murdered thousands of their own citizens and caused hundreds of billions of dollars of destruction just to further their agenda is definitely the preserve of conspiracy theorists.Although dignifying the nutjobs who believe that sort of thing with the appellation of 'theorists' is too generous. Conspiracy fantasists seems closer to the mark.Having said that, the authorities have certainly taken advantage of the situation to bamboozle the American people into giving up large swathes of their rights and precious liberty in the name of 'preventing' terrorism.

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 02:15:55 pm
content: Funny thing about demolishing tall buildings...it usually takes an assload of prep work, and you would think that the people that work in them would tend to notice all the beam-notching, pillar-drilling, wall-removal, and det cord-laying. Humans have a tendency to be curious about why people are knocking out the wall behind their desk and stuffing things that look a lot like dynamite into holes in the floor. Humans are kinda' predictable like that...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 02:17:19 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 01:31:46 pmMany people believe all kinds of absurdity. Your statement, helping prove this assertion, beyond any possible refute.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 02:51:05 pm
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on September 26, 2012, 02:17:19 pmTo me the absurdest thing in the world is to think that you can prepare such an attack of that scale and get unnoticed in a country like USA. Believe what you believe. But we don't have to believe what you consider sensible. Nothing has been said about the victims, the bodies of those who died in the Pentagon those who died in the plane that crashed in Pensylvannia. People have become childish and they believe all they are told on tv and we know who controls the media and this is called the Free world!Good joke.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 03:09:26 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 02:51:05 pmI'd be a fool not to!QuoteYes, it's a free world, well our bit of it is anyway, and yes you are free to subscribe to whatever bunkum and crack-pottory you wish!QuoteIf you'd have listened I think you find volumes have been said....QuoteUM just maybe an avgas fireball hot enough to melt aluminium may have accounted for quite a bit of missing....QuoteWe all know Rupert is a prize ass, but I am quite sure he had nothing to do with any early September Jihad. Don't forget that tinfoil hat.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 03:26:28 pm
content: There are too many unanswered questions as I pointed out. None of these questions have been answered. We do not have to believe the absurdities of the American news channels and the US government. You see how intolerant you are when someone comes to challenge your beliefs. Political religious or whatever. And you talk about free speech.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 03:53:48 pm
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on September 26, 2012, 03:09:26 pm

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 03:58:46 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on September 26, 2012, 03:38:39 pmJust let me remind you the question of an experienced US journalist who asked the White House spokesman before cameras : "Was it necessary to kill 2800 persons?" She got no answer. May she is a fool too ...I think she lost her job. I do not remember her name but she was present at every press conference of the White House.It was probably to occupy Afganistan and present Islam as a politicial ennemi. Islam replaced the communism as an ennemi.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 04:11:02 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 03:26:28 pmQuote from: AcHmed99 on September 26, 2012, 03:14:58 pmwhen someone post a link to the source video leading to the riot/gathering/speech of the linked news by OP and a frank comment video by a fellow american about it, it will get deleted with respond "your attempt were irrelevant" but when someone post about twin tower jihad that happened 10 years ago then it got passed for another discussion. this is not "conspiracy", but the god damn modern civilized truththe truth is, the person in power will decide which one is free and which one to be trashed. yes, i should not respond to all this ludicrous.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 05:14:52 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on September 26, 2012, 04:52:38 pmStrategically it is very important as the ultimate goal are China and the huge resources in Siberia but you will not get there. Do not worry.QuoteI agree there is a fertile ground in there for extremists however your secret services contribute actively in the success of these people in their respective societies. Then you come to destroy them and establish military bases. Even after the removal of US troops there will be US bases in Afganistan and soon you will see that US will engage in political dialogue with the Taleban. There are signs of that. Even Hamid Karzai is asking for political dialogue. Would you sit around the same table as the terrorists of Taleban? I wouldn't but apparently your guys are very keen to do that.QuoteI have spent 10 years in so called "free societies". I know how they work and I knew people in those societies who considered democracy an unnecessary "luxury". So I know what I am talking about. I have seen journalists fired from TV channels for their political views. That even happens in USA nowadays. Well it is not the political power, the actual rulers who fire them of course, neverthless nobody can deny the interaction between the political parties, media and the administration.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2012, 05:49:55 pm
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 05:14:52 pmtheir next enemy is asteroid and alien from mars. but only if, only if curiosity project is a success. their current enemy is "we know who", hence one of the attempt is the video?

author: amvakar
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 08:24:21 am
content: Quote from: Rick on September 26, 2012, 05:14:52 pmHow could one consider democracy anything more than a luxury? Its survival signifies that there is such inherent stability in a society that people will be electrified by outright lies and ignore fundamental issues of government and vote on pure ignorance, and still people go on as they always have.

author: JoannaK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 10:38:17 am
content: Enemy of the state ...http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/us-calls-assange-enemy-of-state-20120927-26m7s.html