From: Spudboy100@aol.com
Date: Mon Apr 14 2003 - 23:56:06 MDT
Brendan stated:
<<Yes, they are. The Savama are the same organization as the SAVAK,
who the CIA trained in the 50's and 60's. The CIA toppled Mossadegh in
1953 and put the first Shah in power, in spite (and because) of the fact
that Mossadegh's popular support in Iran was almost ironclad. When he
tried to nationalize oil production, we just wouldn't put up with it.
Homeboy had to go. >>
There are other examples of US stupidity, yes indeed. Interference in
Guatemala in the 1920's and the Philipines, Chile in the early 70's. But let
me use the Wattenburg method: compared to who and compared to when? Are other
powers on this planet so benevolent? France, the former Soviet Union, and the
current Mother Russia? My understanding is that neither Mossadegh nor
Allende's hands were clean of Soviet taint, that is to say; they were
popularly elected, but they were players. They waltzed with Ivan and got
screwed over by us, or US. That is the problem with being a player in this
rough game. The stakes were high during the cold war, and it was no safe bet
who would win. We used the tactics of our nemesis, and "won" that way
sometimes.
<<The US doesn't tolerate democracy or stability in strategically critical
areas of the world. We prefer to install violent, dictatorial madmen
who (we believe) we can control, thus keeping our hands nominally free
of the blood of the populace.>>
I believe that we like making money and trading with other countries and like
stability in strategically critical areas of the world, because we like to
make lots of money and travel. Because we liked stability so much, and are
lazy, that we ignored the Al Qeida's and ignored the offenses of the Wahabbis
& Co. and lost 3000 people in one morning.
<<But, as we approach the "Singularity" (still not clear on what that is,
exactly, or what form people on the list expect it to take), the density
of information is getting such that people with a clear head can't be
fooled into thinking that this isn't what's going on anymore.>>
The Singularity, as I understand it, is when technology becomes powerful and
complex enough to become self-aware, and have "internal conversations with
itself" and become asymptotic in intelligence. Most on this list believe it
will approach amazing and overwhelming transcendence, and maybe exterminate
people
(like in T¹ T² and now T³) or in an act of magnanimity, help us out with
our problems that are part of the "human condition." I am not sure if its
happening or not, but my take on things is, the future ain't the future
unless most of the architecture we dwell in, starts looking like something
from 40's and 50's sci-fi mags and comic books.
<<Welcome to the conclusion of empire...>>
Sorry Bush ain't no Darth Sidious, and although Chirac looks like Yoda, he
acts like Jabba.
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