April 8, 2009
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How Not to Set an Example
In his recent trip to Iraq, President Obama said to the Iraqi president, "Dialogue should be the only way to resolve any issue, whether it was between the Iraqi society components or in the region." Unfortunately the United States is a clear example of how not to do this. I agree with Obama on his point, but did the US follow the idea that dialogue is the only way to resolve any issue in Iraq? Was the example we set to not attack someone until there was no alternative? Not exactly.
Can we do better in the future?
I hope so.
Comments (19)
That is what Bush done as he is an ignorant. But then, I feared the Obama will have limited powers to change the old tradition.
@Murazrai -
As much as I dislike Bush's policies, the truth is when we attacked Iraq, 80% of Americans were in favor, which is why congress voted for it also. The blame cannot belong to Bush alone, but to all of America. Hopefully we can change too.
And we can.
@phantomFive -
Yes, but looking at current condition, we can only see the change in the long run. You can't change anything fast.
@Murazrai -
Check out this movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK6k4IqIdoQ
You are right that it is something that has to change, all Americans will have to change their views, their way of looking at things. The sooner that can happen, the sooner change will happen.
@phantomFive - Well, I don't know. Yes, a good deal of Americans were in favor of it, but a very vocal part was also against it. What's more, I think it's more the fact that the vast majority of Americans are misinformed or just downright uninformed and will go along with anyone who sounds remotely convincing. Yeah, I have such a good deal of faith in people.
@IfonEarth -
lol you don't know? What exactly don't you know?
While I more or less agree with you, I'm not sure what your point is. There is usually a vocal minority opposed to everything. If we found a way to feed all the hungry children and stop global warming and reduce oil consumption to zero, there would still be some crazies who were opposed to it for some reason or another.
@phantomFive - About whether or not "we" can change.
@IfonEarth -
Oh yeah, we definitely can. It wasn't too long ago we had laws separating what drinking fountain you can drink from depending on skin color.
The more clearly you can visualize the changes you want, the more likely they will be to happen.
@phantomFive - And yet, there are still tons of people who are intolerant of people who aren't the same race as themselves. Just because a law has changed doesn't mean society necessarily has.
@IfonEarth -
lol sometimes I think you just like to be contradicting. It's ok, it's entertaining.
You are right though, change comes one step at a time. Fortunately we don't have lynchings anymore either, or a number of other bad things that used to happen.
@phantomFive - I only bother commenting when I think there's a point to it. I don't contradict people for the sake of contradicting people (unless it's a joke).
In any case, even lynchings weren't that uncommon not too long ago. (Well, "long" is relative, since the US hasn't even been in existence for that long.)
Oh, and unrelatedly, I've always wanted to do a cosplay like the one in that video *points below*. Except I figure I'll wait until I have a boyfriend I can rope into cosplaying Squall first...
@IfonEarth -
Yes, actually, that is exactly my point. Lynchings weren't uncommon not too long ago, and now they are. Things can change quickly.
Sounds cool, but where would you get blue corduroyish type fabric? Or were you thinking of dressing as Seifer? j/k
@phantomFive - But see, that's exactly it. It isn't even the physical violence as much as the attitudes of the poeple. And, sadly, there are a lot of intolerant people out there, in regards to race, religion, and various other things. You're right that things can change quickly, but I'm not sure if the public's mindset can change as quickly as we'd hope.
Aha. I was talking about Rinoa and Squall during the ball! :]
@IfonEarth -
During the ball? I think Rinoa has a significantly better costume than poor Squall during the ball. Not sure if that's fair.
And yeah, of course I'd like people's attitude to change immediately, right now. But sometimes you can't get everything you want immediately.
@phantomFive - No way. I'm actually not that big of a fan of Rinoa's dress during the ball. But I totally have a thing for guys in a uniform. *ahem* I did not just say that.
@IfonEarth -
lol ok, I'll remember that
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See,Iraq is not that innocent in reality. Probably there were no WMD,but there was every chance of that Saddam playing hookey with the rest of he world over this too.He delighted in brinkmanship and played cat and mouse with a vengeance.The difference in civilization is a key point here.so the Americans cannot be blamed for thinking that WMDs existed(Didn't he use chemicals and poison gas?YES)Some of these nations are peculiar fellows.They warm up slowly and only in certain ambiances,are whimsical, fanatic and impatient for a fight!!
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@SADABOY -
The point is not whether Iraq is innocent or guilty, the point is there are other, better ways to deal with it. We should have chosen a better way.