Current world events, can we have an open discussion?

[FenceFurniture]

Don't forget my ex-mother-in-law

Just the one? I have a collection.

[doug3030]

Just the one? I have a collection.

I am a fast learner.

[FenceFurniture]

I would like to think that the depth of intellectual acumen on this forum is capable of rationale considered debate on these topics.

I certainly think that is possible - look at the discussion we had on Sandy Hook about gun control 4-5 years ago. It was very civil between the two sides, and that is one of the hottest topics in town.

[elanjacobs]

That stated, in my life experience I have observed that most religious disagreements tend to be with atheists and not Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews etc - this I find very interesting.

I think that's because religious people are inherently comfortable with belief in an unknown/higher force/power that's beyond their ability to fully understand. There is something in common at the most basic level, even if everything beyond that differs vastly.

By its very definition, atheism rejects the concept of God and is, therefore, fundamentally at odds with religion as a whole.

[doug3030]

A bit like the agnostic dyslexic insomniac who stayed awake at night wondering if there really was a dog

[swk]

Leadership
Leaders always almost have to be if not psychopaths, at least sociopaths as the have to make BIG decisions without emotions affecting their decisions and they also have to have the salesman's capacity to sell their message.

"He paused, and for a moment assumed again his air of a schoolmaster questioning a promising pupil: ‘How does one man assert his power over another, Winston?’
Winston thought. ‘By making him suffer,’ he said.
‘Exactly. By making him suffer. Obedience is not enough.
Unless he is suffering, how can you be sure that he is obeying your will and not his own?"

I'll just leave that quote from a certain book here. People can ponder it if they like.




From the first post in this thread:

Did Assad really gas his people just when he was winning the war and Trump said he was pulling US troops out?

Why? Why would he do this? No conspiracy required. He does it because he can.

Regards
SWK

[truckjohn]

I would suggest that if we do want to allow (semi) civil political discussions in an "off topic" sort of forum - that we create one that is "Private"... No search engine results, password access, must be a "known" participating member in good standing to gain access, etc....

Remember that this forum is read worldwide. The freedoms we experience here with regards to Free Speech and Free Thought are not experienced all over the place.... And both you and the forum owners can be prosecuted in those places for simply hosting ideas that the ruling party does not agree with... I am not talking about North Korea here - this is going on in places like Sweden and The UK of all places.....

And beyond that - the owners of this forum do not want to be publically scandalized for hosting ideas.. And I have considerable sympathy for that... Because there is no shame with regards to what people will do when they go off on a bent to destroy opposition...

[cava]

From the first post in this thread:


Why? Why would he do this? No conspiracy required. He does it because he can.

Regards
SWK

On the surface of it, and contrary to what the media publishes, I am not totally convinced that Assad actually gassed his people.

The reasoning is simple:

1. The alleged gassing was against supporters of Assad and not his enemies.
2. Assad was actually winning the war against the insurgents and people were returning to Syria from other countries.
3. The USA was alleged pulling out of Syria as stability was being achieved, and any change to this stability would be reason enough to reverse this position ie Pax Americanus.

[Twisted Tenon]

On the surface of it, and contrary to what the media publishes, I am not totally convinced that Assad actually gassed his people.

The reasoning is simple:

1. The alleged gassing was against supporters of Assad and not his enemies.
2. Assad was actually winning the war against the insurgents and people were returning to Syria from other countries.
3. The USA was alleged pulling out of Syria as stability was being achieved, and any change to this stability would be reason enough to reverse this position ie Pax Americanus.

As I understand it Cava, the city in question was rebel held. Assad is totally indifferent to the sufferings of his own people. He is holding on to power by what ever it takes.

TT

[Greg Ward]

Gas
The reason he used gas is that it creates fear and is insidious.
It penetrates into cellars and bomb shelters which cannot be breached by bombs and thus encourages combatants to quit that area, especially if their families are affected.
Greg

[cava]

As I understand it Cava, the city in question was rebel held. Assad is totally indifferent to the sufferings of his own people. He is holding on to power by what ever it takes.

TT

Good point, I stand corrected.

[cava]

This may give an alternate viewpoint.

https://shadowproof.com/2018/04/09/m...an-government/

Is it fake news or not? Time will tell.

[artme]

This may give an alternate viewpoint.

https://shadowproof.com/2018/04/09/m...an-government/

Is it fake news or not? Time will tell.

Yes Cava. We should all read more widely and deeply on this conflict, its precursors and the implications of a "win"for either side.

[woodPixel]

Qui Bono?

It all makes no sense.

To finish SWKs comment above, the war with Eastasia seems more like a prophecy that a fictional warning.... the whole bloody book seems to be an instruction manual!

Seems like we proles need to adhere to the Newspeak of the Inner party.

[Twisted Tenon]

This may give an alternate viewpoint.

https://shadowproof.com/2018/04/09/m...an-government/

Is it fake news or not? Time will tell.

Thanks for the link Cava, I have book marked it. It goes to my point that there is a long game being played here and I guess it is about the oil.
Before WW1 the Ottoman empire was on its last legs and there was no Iran, Iraq etc unti post WW1 the Poms & French drew some arbitrary lines on a map and imposed local chiefs as the kings.
They lost control and its been a dogs breakfast since. But that is why the Yanks commenced Desert Storm, to secure their own oil.

TT