(no subject)

[brynndragon]

Sometimes, out of that hive of scum and villainy known as Slashdot, a true gem appears. Apparently the rest of the post (on the subject of leak-finding) is also worth reading, but that comment is especially worthy of regard.

Comments

[greyhame.livejournal.com]

Huh, wouldn't you know, that one's by my college friend Tom Darby, creator of Jardinains!.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

On September 12, 2001, we had the world on our side. Even people and nations who didn't like us a lot of the time felt that we did not deserve what happened on that day, and wanted to see the perpetrators of that event brought to justice. In the ensuing five and a half years, Dubya has managed to squander every last bit of that diplomatic and political capital until even nations of Europe who had been our staunch allies since the end of WWII have come to hate us, or at least to view us with suspicion.

This is gonna take an awful long time to repair. If that ever happens.

[white-and-nrdy.livejournal.com]

Well said. Written. Whatever. :)

There are also those who say that the government at minimum allowed 9/11 to happen, and at most *caused* it themselves, as an excuse to take emergency powers and invade Iraq. And there is some significant evidence toward this.

But regardless, I agree that ever since 9/11, our government hasn't stamped down terrorism - they've created more than ever, by pissing off the rest of the world.

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

Damn, I wish I could write that well.

I have one quibble, though. Our current course of coercion, aggression and secrecy cannot be sustained and cannot end well. Unfortunately, I've been thinking about this and rereading V for Vendetta and I have a feeling that it can, in fact, be sustained for quite a while. If America, as a people, cede more authority to the fascists Republicans-in-charge, who will be the shining city on the hill? Red China and Russia are finding authoritarian paths to economic power and the EU always has to walk a dangerous tightrope. But, yes, it won't end well. Perhaps there will be a V sometime in 2019 to rise up against President Jenna if things go on...

Re China...

[dirkcjelli.livejournal.com]

Is China becoming increasingly authoritarian?

Regardless of the number of political parties... does their government respond to the wishes of the people?

China today is a very, very different animal than it was 10 years ago.