Chomsky: The U.S. behaves nothing like a democracy

Re:Chomsky: The U.S. behaves nothing like a democracy by contingencies on Monday August 19, 2013 @11:02AM (#6237576)

Snarky! But I'll bite. Perhaps the main factor in my own unlikely perspective is that although I was lucky enough to be originally western born and educated (in Australia), I have been fortunate to live over half of my life in 'developing' countries. My worldview is thus shaped by a multitude of experiences across different societies, not one culture's education/media environment. I have also lived for reasonable lengths of time in the US and UK, and was accidentally in Tunisia for the revolution. I am Australian/German/Kiwi by citizenship, and write from Spain, where youth unemployment is reportedly ~40% and perhaps communicate more frequently in Mandarin than in English or Spanish. (I only arrived yesterday) I am not a believer in nationalism, and see no issues discussing the nation's many and varied problems while admiring its natural beauty, admirable facets of its history, and the friendliness of its people. Oh, and sarcasm is the lowest form of wit...

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Re:Chomsky: The U.S. behaves nothing like a democracy by omonra on Monday August 19, 2013 @12:51PM (#6238201)

Perhaps your background is telling - you don't have a real 'home', hence you don't feel strongly about protecting it. I mean if things really hit the fan in Australia, you could go to Germany, or vice-versa. (Incidentally I have a similar background mix to you - lived in 3 different countries & have different citizenships and am writing this from Portugal, so know where you are coming from ;)

Most people are not like you. They have a home country that they care strongly about and want it protected. If that means killing some terrorists in a desert, so be it. And if a few people in said desert end up getting killed by mistake (and they tend to give benefit of the doubt to the drone operator) - that's war. Perhaps they shouldn't be hanging out near the terrorists.

My point is not to say whether this view is right or wrong - but to explain that the 'majority' who support the drone strikes understand what is going on and are ok with it.

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Re:Chomsky: The U.S. behaves nothing like a democracy by contingencies on Monday August 19, 2013 @08:31PM (#6240850)

> the 'majority' who support the drone strikes understand what is going on and are ok with it.

I agree some do, but it's wrong to suggest all do. I think mostly people are uninformed (certainly in the US). Actually I'm headed to Portugal in a week or so, if you're in Lisbon or north do send me an email and we can have a drink :)

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Re:Chomsky: The U.S. behaves nothing like a democracy by omonra on Thursday August 22, 2013 @06:46PM (#6260593)

Thanks - unfortunately could not parse your email and I left Portugal already, so another time :)

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