Russia plans to arm Venezuela to counter US backed Colombia.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
Ned writes "But he used his dictatorial powers to go after the landowers. He took their property and started forming collectives. At this point, a lot of the old Iranian power base turned against him, including the mullahs."

Well maybe the land reform was dictatorial, but are land reforms usually not very popular? It was in North Korea, for example. If land reform is not done through dictatorial power, it is done through the tyranny of the majority.

Now you say that the Mullahs turned against him. But I would think that this would work to the advantage of Mossadegh, for surely you cannot lend support to reactionary Mullahs, and at the same time profess support of Democracy?

Well, it turned out that they got the upper hand in 1979 anywho.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Anytime you create mechanisms in your 'democratic' political system to maintain the status quo, or keep out certain parties with certain political ideologies you don't have anything resembling a real democracy. Stability maintained by the political system is not democracy.

Yeah, right. What are you smoking?

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious




You're too much Ned.

Kid, and you are an anti-American!

[Ned]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
Land reform: an interesting subject.

When Tiberus Gracchus tried to implement a land reform through the republican senate in 133 BC he was clubbed to death. Maybe if the Romans had been succesful in agrarian reform they woulrd have been more sucessful.

Some have said this. But, regardless, the large estates staffed by slave/serfs lasted 'till modern times. There is something to be said for staying power.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Pot calling kettle black.

Typical. And expected.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned


Kid, and you are an anti-American!

Well Duh! But you are calling everyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY the way you do anti-American.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned


Yeah, right. What are you smoking?

Something that you need to smoke. Oh, but I guess that would make you unamerican.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious


Well Duh! But you are calling everyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY the way you do anti-American.

Hardly. I just happen to notice the protest crowds throughout the world are festooned with communist flags and draw certain conclusions.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned


Hardly. I just happen to notice the protest crowds throughout the world are festooned with communist flags and draw certain conclusions.

And you assumed PAX was there? You are unbelievable Ned. I do laugh at you sometimes. It's just too funny not to.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Kidicious


And you assumed PAX was there? You are unbelievable Ned. I do laugh at you sometimes. It's just too funny not to.

Not PAX, just communists.

[Kidlicious]

When communists protest you will know the difference. We don't give a crap about your stinking permits.

[problem_child]

Originally posted by Ned
Chavez is only trying to save his own ass by getting his military to be less dependent upon American arms. All dictators behave in the same way.

You truly are the most orwellian person I know of.

[Ned]

problem_child, no, more at Machiavellian.

[Pax]

I have to agree with problem_child.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Ned
problem_child, no, more at Machiavellian.

Well you're right in the respect that you are an authoritarian.