3 ms·

>But there are many rich people out in the world who would hire armies to kill for such a spot. This is tribalism (or our modern version - nation states) in a

>But there are many rich people out in the world who would hire armies to kill for such a spot. This is tribalism (or our modern version - nation states) in a nutshell. For all the hand wringing here about NSA SIGINT, defense spending, etc the reality is that the world is dangerous place. Not too long ago "liberal intellectuals", "russophiles," and "policy experts" were telling us how Russia was just going to eventually become a defacto if not outright EU member, would never invade a neighbor, never target civilians explicitly, never annex land, etc. These people forgot the golden rule of civilization: war happens.

narrowrail 12y ago
While taking this opportunity to 'demonstrate' your point of view (and how it's justified) concerning military/defense, it is just an opinion. I'd say it's more of a cultural sickness, than a human necessity. At least most people claim to believe in the teachings of Jesus and Gandhi, even if they can't find a way to walk the walk (just talk the talk).
- drzaiusapelord 12y ago
  Considering the worst mass murderers, despots, and warmongers of history were usually devoutly religious, I really, really don't think you want to play the religion card here. Heck, by far our most Jesusy president, GWB, sent over 100,000 Iraqis to their deaths by starting a major conflict with them with trumped up intel and knowing full well the civilian cost would be huge. Hitler considered himself a good Christian. Putin is a good Christian loved by the Orthodox church. Iran beheads women who supposedly cheat on their husbands yet as a theocracy they follow Allah's benevolence. The religious middle-east in general is humanity's armpit. Need I go on?
  - gedrap 12y ago
    >>> Hitler considered himself a good Christian Well, sort of a nitpick but Hitler and religion is a bit more complicated than that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_Adolf_Hitler http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_Adolf_Hitler
- scrumper 12y ago
  > more of a cultural sickness, than a human necessity. Probably not: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_Chimpanzee_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_Chimpanzee_War

narrowrail 12y ago

While taking this opportunity to 'demonstrate' your point of view (and how it's justified) concerning military/defense, it is just an opinion. I'd say it's more of a cultural sickness, than a human necessity. At least most people claim to believe in the teachings of Jesus and Gandhi, even if they can't find a way to walk the walk (just talk the talk).

drzaiusapelord 12y ago
Considering the worst mass murderers, despots, and warmongers of history were usually devoutly religious, I really, really don't think you want to play the religion card here. Heck, by far our most Jesusy president, GWB, sent over 100,000 Iraqis to their deaths by starting a major conflict with them with trumped up intel and knowing full well the civilian cost would be huge. Hitler considered himself a good Christian. Putin is a good Christian loved by the Orthodox church. Iran beheads women who supposedly cheat on their husbands yet as a theocracy they follow Allah's benevolence. The religious middle-east in general is humanity's armpit. Need I go on?
- gedrap 12y ago
  >>> Hitler considered himself a good Christian Well, sort of a nitpick but Hitler and religion is a bit more complicated than that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_Adolf_Hitler http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_Adolf_Hitler
scrumper 12y ago
> more of a cultural sickness, than a human necessity. Probably not: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_Chimpanzee_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_Chimpanzee_War