So why exactly is Israeli slaughtering protesters?

[Al B. Sure!]

What is this about the US becoming more racist? The US has clearly become a lot LESS racist. America in 2011 vs. 1911 is like night and day with regards to race relations.

[Whoha]

But you have to control for how much less racist we've become Alby. Also, America is much less powerful today than we were in the 1900s.

[Az]

That's an interesting quote. It kind of gives away how you think about life: Screw everybody, use trickery, deceit, whatever, because all that matters is the outcome for you and those around you.

I am a psychopath and eating a baby right now.

What is this about the US becoming more racist? The US has clearly become a lot LESS racist. America in 2011 vs. 1911 is like night and day with regards to race relations

Whoha
But you have to control for how much less racist we've become Alby. Also, America is much less powerful today than we were in the 1900s

Oh, you joker.
Trends, and vision for societies is what this is all about
If empty-headed patriotism will gain power in the US ( tea-party, "Make America Great Again" bull**** ) - This will definetly lead to a rise in racism. If US starts running itself in a responsible matter, or simply assumes it's future weak position - there will be actually much less racism.

If you think that social progress is just about inter-cultural relationships...
think of Istanbul of old - a bustling metropolis of multiple cultures and faiths, and a heart of slave trade, harems and rape, the center of an empire that murdered hundreds of thousands.

[Zoetstofzoetje]

sure Az, ridiculize it, that will distract from the principle thought.

[Hauldren Collider]

Az, out of curiosity, what's the general reaction in Israel to Netanyahu's speech to congress and how well it was recieved by congress? I tried reading some english editions of Israeli newspapers but they're all making their own partisan snipes in whatever direction they lean.

This is a bit of a threadjack but this topic's getting old anyway.

[giblets]

I dare to say that if you control for general societal progress ( women weren't able to vote in 1900 for god's sake), Europe and the US have certainly become more racist since then.

WTF does this even mean????

"Oh, they're more racist, if you account for them becoming less racist on average"

[C0ckney]

I dare to say that if you control for general societal progress ( women weren't able to vote in 1900 for god's sake), Europe and the US have certainly become more racist since then. I was also specifically referring to Germany, which was a European powerhouse pre-WWI, and was reduced to a joke afterwards. As I said, butthurt.

so if you control for (take out) the racism, there was no racism in 1900. brilliant az, thanks for that insight.

also, if you wanted to specifically refer to germany, why didn't you say 'germany' rather than 'europe and america'.

[DaShi]

Also, America is much less powerful today than we were in the 1900s.

Why do you say that?

[Whoha]

Why do you say that?

sarcasm DaShi.

Also, it is China that is in Germany's WW1 strategic position, not America.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/8277143/Appeasement-is-the-proper-policy-towards-Confucian-China.html

[dannubis]

yay flamewar!


lol


Feeling smug about distancing yourself from raping the planet.
What was the Congo-Belgium border conflict again?

Your lol indeed does show you have zero understanding (or at least deny) of accountability.

Mass murders were committed in Congo - yes.
Belgians were committing those mass murders - yes.
The Belgian parliament, elected by the Belgian people (and therefore representing them) ordered those mass murders - no, because they had no authority there until after Leopold II died.

So unless said Belgians were involved in the mass murders or were direct family of the royals they were not accountable.

Israeli's on the other hand...

But hey, why am I even trying to talk about accountibility to a present day Israeli.

[Arrian]

The sad part of this is that Az probably qualifies as a reasonable, doveish Israeli.

His theoretical palestinian counterpart would likely be no better, possibly worse.

A pox on both their houses. But nooooo-oh, we can't have THAT! We must back one house to the absolute hilt. The Netanyahu v. Obama thing recently, and the Congressional reaction was just pathetic and embarrassing. US politics regarding Israel is an exercise in who can be the most hawkishly pro-(Likud, and worse)Israeli. Bonus points for claiming your opponent hates Israel and, therefore, America. Somehow.

-Arrian

[Al B. Sure!]

The Jews control America?

[Fake Boris]

I would tend to agree with Az, imperialistic/condescending racism from the past is not the same as xenophobia (i.e. scapegoating).

[Arrian]

Alby -

No. But Congress is, sadly, heavily influenced by AIPAC (which is perfectly legal and open in its actions. I just don't have to like its success), such that it is out of step with the people it is supposed to represent. That's what lobbies do, of course. AIPAC isn't the only one. But since we're discussing Israel/Palestine, it's the relevant one.

-Arrian

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I confess ignorance when it comes to AIPAC. How is it out of step with the people it is supposed to represent?

Or did I misread and associate the mis-representation with AIPAC when it was aimed at congress.

NVM in reread I assume you meant the latter.