The United States needs a prime directive

[Kassiopeia]

I never thought I'd say this, but my thoughts exactly, Tassi

[Ted Striker]

We already got the mf'ing prime directive:

I'D HIT IT

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Well, up until the Bush Administration, the Treaty of Westphalia, which had been around since the 30-Years War, meant you couldn't invade another nation because you disagreed with its internal politics. (Well, yeah sure, the U.S. had our Latin America exception, but that doesn't count.) We could go back to that.

There's also the Geneva Convention.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Well, up until the Bush Administration, the Treaty of Westphalia, which had been around since the 30-Years War, meant you couldn't invade another nation because you disagreed with its internal politics. (Well, yeah sure, the U.S. had our Latin America exception, but that doesn't count.) We could go back to that.

Um... internal religious politics. European countries sent troops to reinstate monarchs on a number of occasions. And there was that whole Spanish Civil War there.

And, furthermore, the Treaty of Westphalia was a European treaty, divying up Europe, and was so specific that it couldn't lead itself into a worldwide custom.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
And, furthermore, the Treaty of Westphalia was a European treaty, divying up Europe, and was so specific that it couldn't lead itself into a worldwide custom.

But it did. It actually provides that each "prince" in Germany has the power to decide the religion for that principality. That concept expanded to mean that each nation had to right to control matters inside its own borders without interference from outside nations.

One of the bad results is that other nations kept their hands off of Hitler when he began persecuting the Jews. "It's purely an internal matter!"

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
But it did. It actually provides that each "prince" in Germany has the power to decide the religion for that principality. That concept expanded to mean that each nation had to right to control matters inside its own borders without interference from outside nations.

*cough* Paris Commune

*cough* Spanish Civil War

Outside of religion, it had no effect. Countries interfered in internal policies of other states all they wished. Instead of risking full out war, they'd usually use more nefarious means, like blockades (which the Brits put on Napoleon's France).

[RGBVideo]

Comrade Tassadar =
Kuciwalker = 0wned.

*cough* Paris Commune

*cough* Spanish Civil War

Hey, it's good to know that your best excuse is "if inbred 18th century dictators and Hitler and Stalin have done it, it's ok for us to do it too".

To be a bit more serious, that noble principle was broken all the time before 2003. Let's take Chinese opium war as an example. Chinese try to make some laws for themselves, "I DON'T THINK SO" says UK and beats the crap out of them.

Countries interfered in internal policies of other states all they wished. Instead of risking full out war, they'd usually use more nefarious means, like blockades

Wait, so deciding about your own country's trade policy is now interfering with other contries internal policies? When we set tariffs, are we interfering? What do you mean with this?

[joncha]

This thread screams out for:

[Dis]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Diss needs a life.

how about I take yours

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Ted Striker


There's also the Geneva Convention.

I prefer the "Lake Geneva Convention". Don't forget to bring your lucky 20-sider!

[Pax]

The U.S. and world needs some kind of ****ing directive.
Just like at my job, I always say "It's a rule until it's not convenient for my boss." When need to make some solid goddamn rules on this planet and make every body stick to 'em.

[Az]

Comrade Tassadar =
Kuciwalker = 0wned.

[Kidlicious]

joncha

[Japher]

Arrrrrrrr, Dread Pirate Weas(t)ley!



Ninja Commando Style!





That just screams out for respect.

[Brent]

Eh, we used to have rules, but they're disappearing. The good ones, anyway.

I am the very model of a modern Klingon general. Oops, wrong movie.