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G'day,
I'm RST, and at the insistence of GTR-2-GO, I made this blog to voice my opinions about being a global citizen living concurrent to a time of large scale international politics and world events. I follow the newspapers and traverse the internet fastidiously, as this subject seems extremely important, given the growth of tensions between not only super powers, but once again, ethnic and religious sectors in society, which attempts to undermine a world constructed on the American Dream with notions such as terrorism and guerrilla warfare.
These discontent nation states and groups have reason to fight as hard and as dirty as they do, given a deplorable capitalist monopoly fashioned by the United States and Western nations, that influences the lives of sovereign populations, and forces them to accept unjust governmental systems that market themselves as representing freedom and choice, whilst being chained to the pockets of trans-national corporations, without any alternative, save the aforementioned extremities.
And, if indeed they do accept some form of open rebellion, it is only beneficial to the United States war machine, helping large groups such as the NRA remain up close and personal with Republican governance that disdains human rights at the sake of egocentric jingoism, and keeping American defence interests in the larger scale (consider Iraq, Afghanistan, and their proximity to Russia) satisfied, as well as providing them with resources to continue their consumer and consequence-free lifestyle.
Apropros to these issues, and further issues that I plan to discuss, we, as citizens of a new time of prosperity and development, must make the choice to be active, and to put in place, to try and test, the boundaries of democracy that we have been presented. We, as consumers, must make the choice to think about the current state of the world, the current exercise of power that disadvantages sovereign nations, and realise that it is our world, we own our Government, and that it is our own duty not to merely vote for people who uphold our virtues and our expectations, but to push for social and economic change, to push for the structures of true freedom to be erected.
So, yeah, anyways, I'm gonna post once a week, every few weeks...I'm not asking you to agree with my writing, which I can understand will often be pretentious and bullshitting, but I ask you to empath and to think about what world we're part of, and to open up your eyes if you haven't done so, to certain injustices that are occurring in our society.
Thanks
   
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51475 Posts
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Spenguin
Australia3316 Posts
Could you edit it with paragraphs please? 
Sorry but its really hard for me to keep place.
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Sorry, fixed it. Thanks for reading
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im looking forward to your next entries.
how about making it a general forum thread?i think i may ignite a bigger and more complex discussion of the topic.either way gj.
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Thanks for the advice, and for reading... I'll look into the thread idea, I enjoy debating with people about stuff, nice to see things from others' point of view...
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That's a matter of taste. No one says Doestoevsky sucks even though he abused commas.
Edit: Actually yeah, there were too many unnecessary commas.
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Oftentimes, it is hard, to translate Russian into English, without having to separate thoughts often, because, of the structure of Russian.
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It's amazing to me that you wrote so much, yet said so precious little.
"deplorable capitalist monopoly"? I find it rather curious that you used this choice of words, and that you write(if country status on TL.net can be believed) from a country such as Australia. You state that the U.S. is forcing governments on people that they do not wish, and yet it is, as always, a statement made from a rather uninformed and naive person living in a relatively prosperous country.
I'm quite certain that the Kurds are damning America and wishing our immediate destruction, now that they have no Saddam Hussein to gas them and torture them.
It is the height of idiocy for you to defend these nation-states which make war upon the United States, an act which speaks of an incredible amount of stupidity and naivete on your part. Do you believe that these aforementioned nation-states would do anything else but impose their own will upon these people? If what the United States is doing, imposing its will upon a group of people, is wrong, then how is what these nation-states doing right? You cannot have it both ways.
Do not mistake my defense of US intentions abroad as zealotry, or as blind patriotism. Blind patriotism is nothing but an affront to liberty, and I of course do not sanction every action my country has done. We as a country have made mistakes in the past, and injustices have been incurred. However, it is the epitome of foolishness for you to come here blasting America and ignoring the faults of these, apparently righteous in your eyes, attackers(or defenders, depending on your viewpoint.)
I appreciate the libertarian concepts conveyed in your post, and agree with your later remarks wholeheartedly. Social and economic change is necessary. We need to enact a revolution of intelligence and intellectualism in the world. Only through intellectual awakening can the proletariat masses of the world be awakened to the various injustices visited upon them. However, I do not sanction your sweeping amounts of bullshit in regard to America. Mistakes and erroneous decision making aside, capitalism is the best economic system in the world. Opportunity cannot be given to everyone to succeed, it is the way of the world that some must be left behind for the greater good. We all close our eyes to this every day. We see homeless, we see children starving to death in third world countries.
But this is the world, ladies and gentlemen. Capitalism gives opportunity to excel, to become greater than your ancestors, to live up to your full potential. I do not deceive myself and state that there are not faults and injustices in the system, or that the system would not benefit from change, but rather do I embrace the capitalistic free market system, regardless of its faults, for it has allowed enormous leaps in discovery, in innovation, in development of industry. Observing other economic systems, and comparing their industrial development over a span of some years, the evidence is clear. Capitalist countries have a higher GNP(gross national product) and per capita income than those of socialism.
Anyhow, tangents aside, reply if you like and this debate can be commenced. Also, feel free to have as much pretentiousness and bullshit as you like, for I'm guilty of both in large quantities. :D
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Welcome, RST. I look forward to your posts. I'm not sure how far we agree or disagree, but it would seem we have similar intentions here! Whether we agree or not, I look forward to some interesting discussion.
To be safe, I do recommend keeping it in the Blogs. I've had rather serious topics canned in the General thread, and I've been temp-banned for it as well. Blogs will give you a much greater room to speak your mind.
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i have no idea why you're mad at capitalism
capitalism hasn't existed in any form since the articles of confederation
you're talking about corporatism, i.e. facism, i.e. the united states, australia, canada, russia, china, etc.
socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time.
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On September 05 2008 01:31 Caller wrote: i have no idea why you're mad at capitalism
capitalism hasn't existed in any form since the articles of confederation
you're talking about corporatism, i.e. facism, i.e. the united states, australia, canada, russia, china, etc.
socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time. ... How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?
EDIT: Just turned 18... I pray there are not that many more of you when you are ready to vote...
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On September 05 2008 00:39 Track wrote: It's amazing to me that you wrote so much, yet said so precious little.
"deplorable capitalist monopoly"? I find it rather curious that you used this choice of words, and that you write(if country status on TL.net can be believed) from a country such as Australia. You state that the U.S. is forcing governments on people that they do not wish, and yet it is, as always, a statement made from a rather uninformed and naive person living in a relatively prosperous country.
I'm quite certain that the Kurds are damning America and wishing our immediate destruction, now that they have no Saddam Hussein to gas them and torture them.
It is the height of idiocy for you to defend these nation-states which make war upon the United States, an act which speaks of an incredible amount of stupidity and naivete on your part. Do you believe that these aforementioned nation-states would do anything else but impose their own will upon these people? If what the United States is doing, imposing its will upon a group of people, is wrong, then how is what these nation-states doing right? You cannot have it both ways.
Do not mistake my defense of US intentions abroad as zealotry, or as blind patriotism. Blind patriotism is nothing but an affront to liberty, and I of course do not sanction every action my country has done. We as a country have made mistakes in the past, and injustices have been incurred. However, it is the epitome of foolishness for you to come here blasting America and ignoring the faults of these, apparently righteous in your eyes, attackers(or defenders, depending on your viewpoint.)
I appreciate the libertarian concepts conveyed in your post, and agree with your later remarks wholeheartedly. Social and economic change is necessary. We need to enact a revolution of intelligence and intellectualism in the world. Only through intellectual awakening can the proletariat masses of the world be awakened to the various injustices visited upon them. However, I do not sanction your sweeping amounts of bullshit in regard to America. Mistakes and erroneous decision making aside, capitalism is the best economic system in the world. Opportunity cannot be given to everyone to succeed, it is the way of the world that some must be left behind for the greater good. We all close our eyes to this every day. We see homeless, we see children starving to death in third world countries.
But this is the world, ladies and gentlemen. Capitalism gives opportunity to excel, to become greater than your ancestors, to live up to your full potential. I do not deceive myself and state that there are not faults and injustices in the system, or that the system would not benefit from change, but rather do I embrace the capitalistic free market system, regardless of its faults, for it has allowed enormous leaps in discovery, in innovation, in development of industry. Observing other economic systems, and comparing their industrial development over a span of some years, the evidence is clear. Capitalist countries have a higher GNP(gross national product) and per capita income than those of socialism.
Anyhow, tangents aside, reply if you like and this debate can be commenced. Also, feel free to have as much pretentiousness and bullshit as you like, for I'm guilty of both in large quantities. :D
The gas Hussein used on the kurds was supplied by america. The US is forcing a new government on the iraqis and the afghanis. These nations did not make war on the US, the US made war on them. Please get your facts right before posting.
Yes, capitalism is the best economic system, but through lobbyists the corporations are deciding what laws are made instead of the general population. Democracy really is a sham when you realise most senators and congressman are having their campaigns financed by the same companies whether they are republicans are democrats. Most legistlature now adays is being written by the corporations not by the politicians.
The US forces its will on other countries all the time. You may not realise this becuase you are in america nad your news agencies filter out the negative things america does. Most small countries in the world were forced to sign international drug laws by america. A few years ago there was an effort to decriminalize pot in Canada, but america put pressure on our government to change the wording and the amount of pot that would have been decriminalized. The bill eventually just whithered and died when a conservative government came into power. Our prime ministers have been bullied by america in the past. There was incident where a prime minister was physically threatened by a president. I could look that up later when I have time.
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You should read my post before you reply..
I never said anyone about Afghanistan and Iraq making war on the US. I replied to the OP's defense of terror groups. Terror groups =/= Afghan and Iraqi governments.
Second of all, Hussein bought his gas from American defense contractors, yes. That does not make America responsible for the genocide committed, otherwise people would be suing gun manufacturers after every gangland shooting. The US has forced nothing on Afghanistan. The US has forced a democratic government on Iraq, but it is hardly against the will of the people. Do you know of ANY people that would say, "No, I really don't like the idea of a government being ruled by the people; please just give all the power for me to live or die to a tyrant or oligarchy." It isn't logical.
I never claimed that the US didn't exert its will onto people. On the contrary, I used the fact that the U.S. does exert its will as a point to show that those "oppressed" by the United States are no more courageous in fighting against the US than the US is in repulsing their attacks. The strong rule, that's the way of the world. I'm not saying it's right, and I'm not condoning our foreign policy by ANY means. I am a wholehearted advocate of non-interventionism.
However, if you're going to criticize the United States, you may wish to be circumspect in your viewpoints. Sure, we have a bad foreign policy. However, MANY people benefit from this policy. We send out more money in foreign aid every year than any other country in the world. If I had my way, we would not be doing this, nor would we be involved in foreign wars. But if you really wish to criticize American foreign policy, you must look at the whole of it, not simply the part with which you have issue.
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Alright, here goes some attempt to explain further my intentions at writing the contents of this blog, because you all add interesting argument or debate to it, but I think partially have misinterpreted my statements about capitalism.
First of all, I address Track, and I wholeheartedly agree with his/her statements. I don't dislike America in as much as what it gives to the world through its right to intellectual freedoms and creativity. I do, however, find its government holistically wasteful and farcical due to its over indulgence to begin battles it refuses to win, outside and over the jurisdiction of the United Nations as if it has some "holier than thou" right to undermine a universal authority that it will push to disallow conflict when some other group decides to illegally conflict with another (America's push on Russia to ceasefire with Georgia seems hypocritical to me, although I do not want Georgia to be destroyed).
Regarding capitalism, I dislike the system in itself because I do not believe that we as human beings, despite the chance to grow in creativity and intellectual pursuits within this system, should be treated as mere consumers, or income for large corporations. Its mainly the stranglehold that large corporations have on government entities in a capitalist society that I dislike. I used to support communism, but for the reason that once again, human entities are only treated as one huge worker well in this system, and obviously the massive trust put into officials that inevitably leads to corruption and fascism, I see it as not the best alternative, however applauding its utopian ideals.
I also agree that I live in Australia, a prosperous ally to the US, and for me to make these statements is perhaps due to a certain naivety or blindness on my part, but by the selfsame token, you, a citizen of the US, may not entirely be in a position to see eye to eye with lesser nations. Australia is facing an increasing amount of debt and casualty from American politics and economy; the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US is beginning to cause recession and inflation in the Australian market. Australia is different to the United States. We have in place better health cover and support agencies, and our social rights, I think, are better.
In reading the paper and following the news (on the internet, TV news is bullshit), I, in my own point of view, can see that America has some sort of monopoly on resources and events in foreign countries. I'm only saying that they sometimes don't leave well enough alone.
I just want to remind everyone that I appreciate discussion, and sure, my opinions might be naive or I might be pretentious because I can make these statements living in a free and generally prosperous nation, but this is merely my view on events in the world. I'm definitely not saying their correct, but I feel disheartened and jaded regarding the world due to what I've seen. Most people in my country are blind to realism. They all just go "fuck Bush" without knowing why, or think they know everything that's going on in Tibet because some celebrity tells them. I'm frustrated by people not listening, so that's why I'm writing this thing.
I strongly believe in democracy. Democracy is the only system of Government that keeps stability and equality prevalent in society. I'd like to inform the readers that based on my knowledge capitalism is merely an economic system, whilst I can see the misinterpretation that it is equal in value to communism or fascism, both a dual Government/Economic system. I personally believe that democracy doesn't need to exist with capitalism, and vice versa (evidence is that China, whilst Governmentally Communist, is more and more a capitalist nation economically without giving away certain totalitarian ideals).
When I referred to nation-states, I was referring to more than just nations embroiled in conflict with United States and Coalition forces, but nations whose economies are resultant of changes in the American one. I don't support terrorists, I deplore them, and I don't see their actions as any form of righteousness. They try to make a statement by injuring civilians, many of these belonging to their own country. This is a base, disgusting act of cowardice. However, I find myself sympathising with dissenters to American sovereignty that are legitimate in nature. I'm also saying that personally I believe terrorist activities are only a by-product of American influence in the first place.
Anyways, I came here with the knowledge that my opinions wouldn't be all agreed upon, rather I implore discussion, but I think misinterpretation and mistake was made on my part and others, I hope I cleared this stuff up. They're only personal opinions, and I apologize for any distress or offence they might cause.
Last, but not least, commas are an excellent source of nutrition, and need to be included more in the English language.
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On September 06 2008 13:39 RST wrote: Alright, here goes some attempt to explain further my intentions at writing the contents of this blog, because you all add interesting argument or debate to it, but I think partially have misinterpreted my statements about capitalism.
First of all, I address Track, and I wholeheartedly agree with his/her statements. I don't dislike America in as much as what it gives to the world through its right to intellectual freedoms and creativity. I do, however, find its government holistically wasteful and farcical due to its over indulgence to begin battles it refuses to win, outside and over the jurisdiction of the United Nations as if it has some "holier than thou" right to undermine a universal authority that it will push to disallow conflict when some other group decides to illegally conflict with another (America's push on Russia to ceasefire with Georgia seems hypocritical to me, although I do not want Georgia to be destroyed).
I don't view the United Nations as universal authority at all, nor do I condone at all the United States' participation in the aforementioned entity. I won't elaborate further into this, since such a debate should be intuitive, looking at Thomas Jefferson's positions on entangling foreign alliances. I see the hypocrisy you pointed out, and I think you have a very good point. However, let it be noted that American intentions are not precisely imperialism, given that we do not technically occupy Iraq and Afghanistan(the technical definition of occupation would be voided given that we allow them to govern themselves without interference.) Though I'll concede that we hardly are without interference. Again, I don't condone American foreign policy. It's fucked up, and I'm all for changing that.
Regarding capitalism, I dislike the system in itself because I do not believe that we as human beings, despite the chance to grow in creativity and intellectual pursuits within this system, should be treated as mere consumers, or income for large corporations. Its mainly the stranglehold that large corporations have on government entities in a capitalist society that I dislike. I used to support communism, but for the reason that once again, human entities are only treated as one huge worker well in this system, and obviously the massive trust put into officials that inevitably leads to corruption and fascism, I see it as not the best alternative, however applauding its utopian ideals.
How should people be treated then in an economic system, if not mere consumers? Your points are very reminiscent of Jack London in his Iron Heel (an excellent book on the conflict between the plutocratic trusts and the proletariat.) I do of course applaud communism's inherent altruism, but alas, such cannot be. I fully agree that the mammoth corporations do have excessive influence on the government, and I do wish that to be reformed. I believe there is also too much governmental influence on the free market, but that's a debate for another day.
I also agree that I live in Australia, a prosperous ally to the US, and for me to make these statements is perhaps due to a certain naivety or blindness on my part, but by the selfsame token, you, a citizen of the US, may not entirely be in a position to see eye to eye with lesser nations. Australia is facing an increasing amount of debt and casualty from American politics and economy; the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US is beginning to cause recession and inflation in the Australian market. Australia is different to the United States. We have in place better health cover and support agencies, and our social rights, I think, are better.
I'll concede the point that I may not be in such a position. And again, I loathe our foreign policy!! And I loathe the effect it's having on our allies such as Australia. How though, should we remedy this situation?
In reading the paper and following the news (on the internet, TV news is bullshit), I, in my own point of view, can see that America has some sort of monopoly on resources and events in foreign countries. I'm only saying that they sometimes don't leave well enough alone.
I just want to remind everyone that I appreciate discussion, and sure, my opinions might be naive or I might be pretentious because I can make these statements living in a free and generally prosperous nation, but this is merely my view on events in the world. I'm definitely not saying their correct, but I feel disheartened and jaded regarding the world due to what I've seen. Most people in my country are blind to realism. They all just go "fuck Bush" without knowing why, or think they know everything that's going on in Tibet because some celebrity tells them. I'm frustrated by people not listening, so that's why I'm writing this thing.
It's time for me to apologize to you. I underestimated you, and took you for one of those aforementioned "fuck Bush" people. And it's time for me to retract that.
I strongly believe in democracy. Democracy is the only system of Government that keeps stability and equality prevalent in society. I'd like to inform the readers that based on my knowledge capitalism is merely an economic system, whilst I can see the misinterpretation that it is equal in value to communism or fascism, both a dual Government/Economic system. I personally believe that democracy doesn't need to exist with capitalism, and vice versa (evidence is that China, whilst Governmentally Communist, is more and more a capitalist nation economically without giving away certain totalitarian ideals).
When I referred to nation-states, I was referring to more than just nations embroiled in conflict with United States and Coalition forces, but nations whose economies are resultant of changes in the American one. I don't support terrorists, I deplore them, and I don't see their actions as any form of righteousness. They try to make a statement by injuring civilians, many of these belonging to their own country. This is a base, disgusting act of cowardice. However, I find myself sympathising with dissenters to American sovereignty that are legitimate in nature. I'm also saying that personally I believe terrorist activities are only a by-product of American influence in the first place.
Your last comment is something reminiscent of a statement Ron Paul made in one of the GOP debates, and I agree with you as I agreed with him. I find it amusing how I disagreed so strongly with your OP and now that you're explaining your positions I concur with you more often than not.
Anyways, I came here with the knowledge that my opinions wouldn't be all agreed upon, rather I implore discussion, but I think misinterpretation and mistake was made on my part and others, I hope I cleared this stuff up. They're only personal opinions, and I apologize for any distress or offence they might cause.
Last, but not least, commas are an excellent source of nutrition, and need to be included more in the English language.
You cleared it up quite well. Sorry for responding to you rather rapidly and for behaving in a reactionary fashion.
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On September 06 2008 00:48 fanatacist wrote:Show nested quote +On September 05 2008 01:31 Caller wrote: i have no idea why you're mad at capitalism
capitalism hasn't existed in any form since the articles of confederation
you're talking about corporatism, i.e. facism, i.e. the united states, australia, canada, russia, china, etc.
socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time. ... How old are you, if you don't mind my asking? EDIT: Just turned 18... I pray there are not that many more of you when you are ready to vote...
forgive me, 2am is not a good time for me to have coherent thoughts
although other than ad hominem i don't see what's the issue right now. if you would kindly tear my loosely attached argument to shreds, i might be able to better respond.
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On September 06 2008 14:41 Caller wrote:Show nested quote +On September 06 2008 00:48 fanatacist wrote:On September 05 2008 01:31 Caller wrote: i have no idea why you're mad at capitalism
capitalism hasn't existed in any form since the articles of confederation
you're talking about corporatism, i.e. facism, i.e. the united states, australia, canada, russia, china, etc.
socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time. ... How old are you, if you don't mind my asking? EDIT: Just turned 18... I pray there are not that many more of you when you are ready to vote... forgive me, 2am is not a good time for me to have coherent thoughts although other than ad hominem i don't see what's the issue right now. if you would kindly tear my loosely attached argument to shreds, i might be able to better respond. I don't even know where to begin, there are so many logical errors in that one post... I guess I will do a proof by example:
"socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time."
How is the government not on top in a fascism? You serious? Fascism is probably one of the most government-central systems there is, not far from dictatorship. Maybe you meant that it's a government and not one person or party, which would have some logical value, but that is still largely irrelevant because it's still a modern form of oligarchy, and socialism is in no way a fascism.
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United States24698 Posts
On September 05 2008 01:31 Caller wrote: i have no idea why you're mad at capitalism
capitalism hasn't existed in any form since the articles of confederation
you're talking about corporatism, i.e. facism, i.e. the united states, australia, canada, russia, china, etc.
socialism is simply facism, but the government is on top this time. 1) Capitalism is the economic system in which the means of production are owned by private persons, and operated for profit[1] and where investments, distribution, income, production and pricing of goods and services are predominantly determined through the operation of a free market.
2) Historically, corporatism (Italian: corporativismo) refers to a political or economic system in which power is held by civic assemblies that represent economic, industrial, agrarian, social, cultural, and/or professional groups.
3) Fascism is a totalitarian nationalist political ideology and mass movement that is concerned with notions of cultural decline or decadence, and which seeks to achieve a millenarian national rebirth by exalting the nation or race, as well as promoting cults of unity, strength and purity.
4) Socialism is the economic theory of social organization advocating that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be regulated or owned by the community.[1]
You claim 1 does not exist in any form in the USA. I believe it mostly does exist in the USA, with some exceptions.
You claim 3 is an example of 2, but I don't really see it.
You claim 4=3, but I don't see it.
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