Middle East

As someone who doesn't know allot about how the middle east works a few questions come up about the recent revolutions that bother me.

1) Is it possible that 9/11 could have been avoided if the U.S. took a more firm stance againts regimes in the middle east that showed little respect for democracy or human rights? (in other words not support them?)

2) Would it be practical in a strategic or economic sense for us to not do buisness with these kind of states? If so why aren't we?

3) What can the U.S. do to improve its own human rights record after some of the things its done during the war on terror? (for example detaining people for years on end without charges or trial and torture)

1) "a more firm stance againts regimes in the middle east that showed little respect for democracy or human rights" is too ambigious, it could mean either an idealistic shunning of middle eastern dictators without considering the practical consequences or a carefully assessed policy of maximizing the process of gradual political liberalization without compromising political stability or economic efficiency. If it's the former no, if it's the latter, yes.

2) Again not specific enough, obviously we should not go so far as to sell nuclear materials and expertise to middle eastern dictators, likewise we should not use aggressive threats to try and get countries to blockade these countries and shut them off completely. Ideally we should be fostering global free trade since economic cooperation in turn fosters peace and the development of an educated middle class who are in a position to demand political rights for themselves and their lower class brothers, we can't stop Iran and other countries trading globally for arms either so there's no point aggressively trying to stop them unless it is something we do have control over like nuclear materials.

3: Totally abolish the patriot act and invasive and/or disturbing anti-terror laws in a landmark ruling re-affirming the US's love of liberty. Keep the practical laws like intelligence services, special forces, metal detectors, x-raying luggage and sensors for detecting explosives vapors, just cut the fat.

>>2
>US's love of liberty
"liberty" from a liberals point of view has nothing to do with what the founding fathers intended.

>Keep the practical laws like intelligence services, special forces, metal detectors, x-raying luggage and sensors for detecting explosives vapors

hah, nevermind you are clueless.

>>3
I wish you'd be more specific as to what liberty's your refering too that liberals apparently beleive in.

i'm just wondering how much of the anti-americanism in that part of the world comes from who are freinds are, and do we have options to change that? I mean for christs sake we demanded amnesty in the un for the mercenaries who slaughtered peaceful protestors in libya to proctect our contractors for what they've done in iraq. how could they not hate us after that? How could that not empower al qaeda?

I mean is a goddamn naval base in bahrain really worth keeping these mother fuckers in power?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-zCKDB0v6k&skipcontrinter=1
and what about the saudis?
Look I can't claim to be an expert on the situation I'm just wondering if we have any alternatives.

>>4
It will only ever matter in as far as what and how much we can accomplish.  It doesn't matter what we do; we'll be hated regardless.  It's not even necessary to view it from a historical perspective anymore - there are places around the world where just the fact that we're America is sufficient and it doesn't matter what we do or have done.

For example, your word "innocent."  Are there are no contractors of ours out there with any irrational malice? or people who have a profession that takes them into a dangerous position and are willing to do it?  No American can ever be considered innocent, even individually.

As long as you're wondering that, go and find out rather than speculating.

>>5
You want alternatives?  Love everyone, hate everyone, ignore everyone, or fight everyone; compromise is outside of your window.

As long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.
Oscar Wilde

"In war, the strong make slaves of the weak, and in peace the rich makes slaves of the poor."
— Oscar Wilde

Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones Alex Jones

>>6
America is hated because of what the jews do in our name. For the most part.

"He is a man I greatly admire"
— Oscar Wilde on Oscar Wilde

>>11
Why does Oscar Wilde have so many quotes?

I always like oscar meyer better

>>1
9/11 would of happend anyway. It was a inside job.

>>1
1) 9/11 could have been avoided anyway. I mean didn't terrorists try and bomb the WTC a few times before?

2) If you mean states as in Arab countries, then the US could have avoided doing business with them. But they'd have less oil as a result.

3) It can't really. All it can do is "This is me not giving a shit" like Russia does

>>13

sings:

My B O has a first name,  its O S C A R
My B O has a 2nd name, its  W I L D E
I love to stench up everyday, and if you ask me why ill say:
Cause B O makes them swoon and sway.