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Originally posted by Sikander
So why did we bomb your embassy?
So why did we bomb your embassy?
However, this "outdated map" routine is really lame, because a tourist could buy a better map on the street.
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I heard some theories but I am not going to speculate on my own.
However, this "outdated map" routine is really lame, because a tourist could buy a better map on the street.(\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
(='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
(")_(") "Starting the fire from within." -
I assumed that the Chinese were allowing the Serbs to use the Embassy (or were themselves doing so on behalf of the Serbs) for cover from which to carry out military activity. It was probably something relatively important, or we would have ignored it. My guess is something related to anti-aircraft defenses like a radar or something, but the possibilities are numerous. Neither the U.S. or the Chinese were about to admit that they were:Originally posted by Urban Ranger
I heard some theories but I am not going to speculate on my own.
However, this "outdated map" routine is really lame, because a tourist could buy a better map on the street.
a) Committing an act of war by allowing their territory to be used for military purposes by a combatant (Chinese)
b) Committing an act of war by purposefully attacking the territory in question that belonged to a sovereign state with which we were currently not at war (U.S.)
Nothing that I have seen or heard since then has changed my feeling on this one, though I do give the "Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people" argument (ie it really was an accident) a 20% chance of actually being what happened.He's got the Midas touch.
But he touched it too much!
Hey Goldmember, Hey Goldmember!Comment
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I think the missile was just misdirected.
If you have to choose between a conspiracy and a stuff up, choose the stuff up every time.Any views I may express here are personal and certainly do not in any way reflect the views of my employer. Tis the rising of the moon..
Look, I just don't anymore, okay?Comment
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That is very wise advice. The thing that made me wonder about the whole incident was the reaction of the Chinese government. They seem to have been reacting as id it were a deliberate attack rather than an accident, which begged the question: Why would they assume that it was deliberate? And so on.Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
I think the missile was just misdirected.
If you have to choose between a conspiracy and a stuff up, choose the stuff up every time.He's got the Midas touch.
But he touched it too much!
Hey Goldmember, Hey Goldmember!Comment
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From memory there was a Yugo military facility next door to the Chinese embassy. The Chinese took it pretty calmly.
The Chinese man in the street freaked out.Any views I may express here are personal and certainly do not in any way reflect the views of my employer. Tis the rising of the moon..
Look, I just don't anymore, okay?Comment
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I despise French Jingo-ism."Just puttin on the foil" - Jeff Hanson
“In a democracy, I realize you don’t need to talk to the top leader to know how the country feels. When I go to a dictatorship, I only have to talk to one person and that’s the dictator, because he speaks for all the people.” - Jimmy CarterComment
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It is about as despicable as the others. Except that it's less obvious than the Yank / Chinese or Russian one : very rarely a Frenchman will explain a foreigner how superior his country his."I have been reading up on the universe and have come to the conclusion that the universe is a good thing." -- Dissident
"I never had the need to have a boner." -- Dissident
"I have never cut off my penis when I was upset over a girl." -- DisComment
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Less obvious?!? Are you serious?Alea iacta estComment
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Yes. I live abroad with many French people, and I have yet to see someone saying how France is superior in everything. I am not saying French jingoism doesn't exist, but it is much more subtle than the American / Russian flagwaving I've seen on this board : French people tend to really believe they are different, and this different make them better. Also, American culture is looked down.
However, you don't see anybody saying FRANCE FRANCE FRANCE like the USAUSAUSAUSAUSA wavers I could have seen here. Nearly nobody explicitely pretends France is the best country in the world, nor it is "the shining beacon of freedom in the world". The "Pays des Droits de l'Homme" phrase (country of Rights of Man) isn't used in any official occurence, and the State promotes guilt over French past crimes.
Very different from the jingoisms I've seen here, and much more subtle."I have been reading up on the universe and have come to the conclusion that the universe is a good thing." -- Dissident
"I never had the need to have a boner." -- Dissident
"I have never cut off my penis when I was upset over a girl." -- DisComment
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The French will argue all day with the British that they are superior, at evreything. They will accept are cows are madder though.Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.
Douglas Adams (Influential author)Comment
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Horsie, there were at least three missiles. Not one.Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
I think the missile was just misdirected.
If you have to choose between a conspiracy and a stuff up, choose the stuff up every time.
Silkander, found this article wrt to the missile attackLast edited by Urban Ranger; March 19, 2003, 11:26.(\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
(='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
(")_(") "Starting the fire from within."Comment
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So that explains the language laws. It's just the French being subtle.Originally posted by Spiffor
I am not saying French jingoism doesn't exist, but it is much more subtle than the American / Russian flagwaving I've seen on this boardI make no bones about my moral support for [terrorist] organizations. - chegitz guevara
For those who aspire to live in a high cost, high tax, big government place, our nation and the world offers plenty of options. Vermont, Canada and Venezuela all offer you the opportunity to live in the socialist, big government paradise you long for. –Senator RubioComment
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Stinger : you are a Rosbif, our ancient enemy ! That's a special case
"I have been reading up on the universe and have come to the conclusion that the universe is a good thing." -- Dissident
"I never had the need to have a boner." -- Dissident
"I have never cut off my penis when I was upset over a girl." -- DisComment
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Dino :
The language laws aren't jingoism. They defend a language that is deemed to be ours. Language has a big role in the French culture, that we try to keep and to boost in the future. Naturally, some believe the French culture / language is superior to others, but the law is mostly motivated by the fact the French language / culture is ours (not necessarily better,simply ours) and shouldn't be allowed to go down the toilet.
French cultural conservatism should not be confused with jingoism / flag waving."I have been reading up on the universe and have come to the conclusion that the universe is a good thing." -- Dissident
"I never had the need to have a boner." -- Dissident
"I have never cut off my penis when I was upset over a girl." -- DisComment
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Did the jingo eat your baby?“As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
"Capitalism ho!"Comment
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