The UK and America

[rubaiyat]

Not being stupid is not enough. That just elevates Bush into the realm of mediocrity. He copes by simplifying the world and by governing for the few. The few gave him plenty of money to fuel his campaigns out of the money and opportunities he preferentially passed their way. He was a good investment for people who already had money but wanted more.

In the long term the fudging, lies, cheating and plain ridiculousness of his policies are peeled back to reveal the sad, small town Texan thinking it was all built upon. The only reason it ever escaped its pathetic origins was it matched the similar small thinking of many Americans and those who saw a chance to make a buck out of it.

I am really anxiously awaiting the results of the next election to see whether the American political system can repair itself, but it certainly shows severe flaws in the checks and balances. Those flaws are possible because of the laziness of Americans in both informing themselves and getting off their cellulite filled butts and voting.

The key flaw as I see it, and this is not just America, is prosperity corrupts and leads people to want amusement, not information from the media and the media is compelled to comply. It supplies gossip and amusing stories. Any hard stories are kept down into bite size glimpses of the bigger picture which are largely ignored by those who have simplified their world into family, shopping and idle entertainment.

God comes in only to justify the good life and give the illusion that it will continue forever. Mutter the right phrases and follow the right rituals and rules and you get to keep everything, even after death.

No matter how mean, vindictive and nasty you are in this life you played it by "the rules" so you get a ticket to paradise. No wonder Americans are in a monumental clash with the Muslim fundamentalists. They are 2 sides of the same coin.

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by rubaiyat

...prosperity corrupts and leads people to want amusement...

I think you've got that absolutely right. Too many people want to have a 'Peter Pan' lifestyle. I see it all around me.

Originally Posted by rubaiyat

No wonder Americans are in a monumental clash with the Muslim fundamentalists. They are 2 sides of the same coin.

Again, I agree. One problem in two flavours.

[Satcomer]

Originally Posted by rubaiyat

No wonder Americans are in a monumental clash with the Muslim fundamentalists. They are 2 sides of the same coin.

Well this UK citizen thinks the EU is spineless on this subject, Appeasing Islam by Pat Condell.

[rubaiyat]

Not just the EU. Bush keeps blathering on about Islam being a religion of peace.

Bollocks! Anyone who has read the Koran knows what a load of turn the other cheek wishful thinking that is.

But despite all that, invading Iraq has jeopardised the revival of Afghanistan as a civilised country and has stuffed the USA's credibility completely.

[Qion]

It seems we've all got our problems.

I second rubaiyat in that Islam is not a peaceful religion. I'm not fluent in Arabic, but I have read the Koran in its English translation. It's full to the brim with hatred and radical ideals, a true warring religion if there ever was one. It's very worrying to me as well that Islam is spreading so freely in Africa, a continent with problems more massive than any of the New World's.

[Rhisiart]

Ever tried reading the old testament?

[Qion]

Originally Posted by Rhisiart

Ever tried reading the old testament?

Yes.

[Rhisiart]

Fair enough.