[thechat] West v. East (was: civilized vs uncivilized)

[Martin]

Erika Meyer wrote on 24/9/01 8:19 pm

>I certainly have issues with US conduct during WWII.  Hiroshima. 
>Nagasaki. 

While I recognise (albeit disagree with) the PoV that says that
Hiroshima was a necessary evil, I really do not think that Nagasaki
was necessary for the Japanese to get the point.

>I also realize that when someone like Hitler comes to town, 
>something seriously needs to be done.

Although the full extent of the evil of Nazi Germany wasn't
known until afterwards.

>OTOH, it was the aftermath of WWI that enabled Hitler... so you could 
>say that WWI caused WWII..

Yes - the sense of national humiliation, coupled with economic
meltdown made a perfect environment for the rise of extremist
organisations, particularly those who could think of handy scapegoats.

There was a strong Communist movement in Germany in the early
30s too.

> and the it was the aftermath of WWII 
>which brought on the Cold War and the Cold War which brought on the 
>Vietnam War and so on.

Do you think that the likely sponsorship of the Afghan Northern Alliance
is storing up future problems?

>3. Criticizing US actions doesn't automatically mean one condones the 
>Taliban or Bin Laden's actions.

Charles Kennedy (leader of what's rapidly becoming the main opposition
party here) to his party's conference this week:
"But what is so striking now is the remarkable degree of spontaneous 
unity right across America. A unity of understandable anger. But the fear 
that can flow from that can be dangerous. That's where a candid friend 
comes in. Standing shoulder to shoulder, but always there for the 
occasional cautionary tap on the shoulder."
(longer extract: http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=95823 )



Cheers
Martin

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