Which country is biggest threat to peace?

[Tripledoc]

So it is Empire or Isolationism?

Considering the US deficit and the US trade imbalance - I would say the Americans would have to work more effectively in solving those issues.

The US has the potential for vast increases in overall growth. Frustratingly the economy has been highjacked by special interests which have a continual habit to feed.
Notably surplus value created by the workforce and profits on the oil-run. The heavy military expenditures is also hampering economic development.

Considering unemplyment in Europe there should be migration to the US from Europe - but sadly the expectations of the Europeans do not square with what America has to offer in terms of welfare benefits.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Pekka
Hmm.. I don't know. Well not safer in sense, that the US is not threatning our existence. So I think we wouldn't feel any safer if you guys just kept to yourselves.
That could have some positive effects though, EU would finally have to get some work done and put up a decent military, and not just bunch of armies. Though this should be done now, right away.

I think we are not afraid that some outside threat would come to Europe, well except maybe soem random terrorist attacks, but there's no current enemy.
However that does not mean we shouldn't have decent military, and it doesnt' mean we shoudln't help the US. It's long over due already.. We need to get piece of the action too.

Pekka, of course the EU would increase it military if the US withdrew from world affairs. But I don't see the EU being a decisive superpower maintaining world order against agressive conquerors. At best, I see the EU military being content only to defend against a direct attack on Europe. The problem, of course, is that there is no unified command structure that takes directions from a EU commander in chief. The EU is a long way from creating a real United States of Europe.

The net result would be that the Saddam's of the world would actually take over the ME. Ditto, China and Taiiwan, NK and SK and perhaps Japan; and Vietnam and all of SE Asia. There would be no one to stop them.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Tripledoc
but sadly the expectations of the Europeans do not square with what America has to offer in terms of welfare benefits.

Thank God!

[Pekka]

Ned, agreed. But EU should increase it's military even now when the US is around. I'm afraid we will never have a decent military because of the lack of unified command structure, and it's close to impossible with us.
It takes a loooong time to make that one work, but it should start now.

[Ned]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Based on interviews conducted by Robert Art between 90-94, European military-political elites seem to believe that if the US withdrew thier security blanket Western European states could well return to the "destructive" power politics that typified most of thier history.

I think there is more than a remote possiblity of this happening if the US withdrew from Europe. Something would happen that would cause European re-alignment. Actually, it could be nuclear weapons. Suppose Germany wanted it own nukes? What would France and the UK say? And for that matter, what would Russia, Poland and the Ukraine say?

[TCO]

Originally posted by Pekka
Ned, agreed. But EU should increase it's military even now when the US is around. I'm afraid we will never have a decent military because of the lack of unified command structure, and it's close to impossible with us.
It takes a loooong time to make that one work, but it should start now.

Let's see...you already speak a common language, American. You eat a common food, American. Watch a common TV. Play common computer games. Why don't you get over your silly pride and apply for admission. (You will just have to ditch the socialiszed medicine, accept guns for all, embrace death penalty, and watch John Wayne movies.)

[Pekka]

GP, Actually I have thought about that, funny you should mention that. I had a thread about it some months ago, how to apply, become immigrant, get green card etc. That was because I wanted to join the US military, I still want to, but it's tough to get those green cards etc. Also I was planning on studying in the US, and perhaps stay, but I didn't come up with enough sponsors to pay for 4 years worth of tuition. And if you really want to know, my parents already live there (my father moved back there, leaving me alone, thank God).

But maybe some day.. You guys should have volunteer troops for foreigners who already have military backround, arrange little training so that they can blend in to your system and voila! Free troopers. I'll do it for free damn it, just gimme food, weapon and ammunition.

[Pekka]

I could see myself as the biggest threat to peace. When I finally leave this country and get there, join military and all, I have years of repressed anger for not getting to fight and when that frustration and fury is unleashed..

[TCO]

Originally posted by Pekka
GP, Actually I have thought about that, funny you should mention that. I had a thread about it some months ago, how to apply, become immigrant, get green card etc. That was because I wanted to join the US military, I still want to, but it's tough to get those green cards etc. Also I was planning on studying in the US, and perhaps stay, but I didn't come up with enough sponsors to pay for 4 years worth of tuition. And if you really want to know, my parents already live there (my father moved back there, leaving me alone, thank God).

But maybe some day.. You guys should have volunteer troops for foreigners who already have military backround, arrange little training so that they can blend in to your system and voila! Free troopers. I'll do it for free damn it, just gimme food, weapon and ammunition.

We let some Philipinos into the service. Are you short and brown?

[Dinner]

I can almost see the TV reports now: "In the news today a Finnish man who uses the alais Pekka went a rampage in downtown Baghdad. Reporters say he kept yelling "FINALLY! THE FURY IS UNLEASH!"".

[Pekka]

I'm white and fairly tall

[Pekka]

I just hope they won't catch me alive and say 'you israeli!', then I know I'm in deep trouble .

[Dinner]

BTW Pekka you don't have to be a citizen to join the military. We I was in the army there were a great many people who joined up as a way to get express admission into the country.

Also if you want to go to school in the states you can get a resident alien card and you'll be treated like a citizen when it comes to student financial aid.

[Pekka]

I know I don't have to be citizen. I spoke to reqruiters in goarmy.com () and they said I need a green card, and they can't help me get it, and they said they won't give me one for joining the army, I'd need it some other way first . Believe me, if that would be possible, I'd be there fast.

You mean student visa? Anyway, I lack of money to go to Uni in the US .. I have to send proof to the school I want to go that I have the money first, even before they would accept me. So now I'm thinking of UK or Canada. Money issue. The best way to me would be getting into army, and have one of those programs where they help you pay for tuition after service.

[Mr. President]

Which country is biggest threat to peace?

All of them.