I’m in a bit of a quandary. I love Mexican food, well at least the food passed off as Mexican here in the states, but I don’t like illegal immigration, which, ironically enough, happens mostly on the border with Mexico. Therefore, I have been branded a racist by some people.

Could I use this article as an example of how I am not racist, since I love their food?

So, only you can understand the socalled supercruise.

and the concept of supercruise you understood even couldn’t be prescribed by yourself.

Not to be rude, but unless there is a language barrier issue here, what is your problem? He explained perfectly what supercruise is, and even said that it is a brochure/marketing term first and foremost.

As it is understood today, supercruise is defined as crusing at a high speed, over mach 1, usually well over, without the use of afterburners.

Again if there is a language issue I apologize. I am not one of those ignorant Americans that expects everyone to speak and understand English perfectly.

But if it is a different issue, well I cant help ya out there, the premise of supercruise is very simple.

A compromise. Dismantle Iranian nuclear programme but force Israel to give up theirs, too. Or keep Israeli nukes but then let Iran develop theirs. Every weight needs a counter-balance and that counts for Israel, too. Just one side having nukes is the worst situation there is.

I agree totally, except I have one question. Why is this all of a sudden a major problem (Israel having nukes)? Now if the argument goes “Iran is using Israels nuke capacity as a front, it actually wants to be able to say to the US, go ahead, try and Invade.” Well then, that may be (sorry, cant quite take myself to that point yet) a valid point. However, at least in how this situation is portrayed, this is more of a power play by Iran, in gaining the use of having the “bomb”.

Why have no other middle eastern countries, as far as I know (cept Iraq, we all saw what happened there) not tried, or at least kept their program or lack/destruction of program under wraps?

Honestly, I have a few ideas of why this hasnt happend, and why for the past number of years the arabs and persians have continued “hating” the Jews, but have not started a nuke program. Im sure these ideas are off the wall so bear with me here, i am neither a scholar nor a poet.

1) Arab nations arent all that worried about Israel, since Israel is a proxy of the US it will not do anything to terribly harm the situation in the ME, including economic problems, which would inevitably hurt most of the oil producing nations the worst.

2) Arab nations, some being monarchies and whatnot have a severe problem with their own population being discontent. Therefore, make the evil jew out to be the problem of the world, taking the heat off of themselves. But at the same time trying to contain this anger, in order for a somewhat orderly trade system to exist.

Ok, like i said before call me crazy, but sometimes the craziest things make the most sense, at least to myself.

Well, I’d say Venezuela (or Iran) is more than a perfect ally. Willing to buy arms, ready to trade crude, what more would you want? Unfortunately, they are Russian (or Chinese) ally now and not yours. I agree that it might less than fit your interests but is it plausible now to demand the whole world to declare Chavez (or Khamenei) as antichrist just because he does not fit American interests?

Not necessarily the antichrist, maybe just a “bad guy” :p . But seriously, I do understand what you are saying, but at the same time in a perfect world I believe whats in America’s interest are in everyones interest. Yes I said it, Flame Away, but let me put my Nomex fire suit on first if you all will be so kind. 😀

And no, I don’t mean everyone has to be like an American, live the same exact way etc etc, of course not, too many different cultures. But the basic ideas of free trade, liberty, pursuit of happiness etc etc…..I think and quite frankly wish everyone had the ability to be a part of that.[/QUOTE]

There is nothing wrong with people’s understanding. It is perfectly understandable that you as American follow and prefer your own interests. But you should as well understand that everyone else does the same.. follows his own interests, not the ones of Americans.

Again I understand, but my “understanding” was a pretty general one, at least I thought a pretty general one, one most of the worlds population would understand. There isn’t much hiding anymore with this Internet thingy our beloved Al Gore invented :p

I bet noone will intervene, if you ask me.

Yes I agree, and quite frankly I think its a shame.

So you, too, admit that being placed on a list of nations supporting terrorism has absolutely nothing do do with actual support of terrorism or not. It only reflects the level of obeyance towards the United States. The more obeyant ones will never be placed on that list even if they actually do provide support (Saudi Arabia, Egypt) while the less obeyant ones will be placed on the list even without backing any terrorism at all (NoKo, Venezuela, etc.)

No, this is not what I was saying. I’m sure there are people in GB that are planning some sort of operation right this minute, just as likely that there are some in hiding in the US. The difference is neither the US or GB are gonna attack each other knowing full well that each other are working on the problem at hand.

Is Saudi Arabia or Egypt perfect? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But they’re one hell of a better “ally” than Iran, NK, or Venezuela. And yes, I know this all comes down to politics and money. Get over it, its been that way for 1000 years and it will always be.

As an individual, you work with people that wanna work with you, maybe even turning a blind eye sometimes. But you sure as hell don’t work with people who don’t give a rat’s behind about nothing.

I honestly don’t get it sometimes. Do people not understand this world, this earth, is just to dam small for some major group of people (most likely their government) to just say to hell with the 21st century or whatever they’re problem may be?

When this Zimbabwe thread opened up, the question of whether the West should intervene. Someone mentioned no one cares cause theres no oil. Another said let them fight it out, if they want a dictator let them have it.

We can’t play this game of tit for tat, sometimes here sometimes there, for whatever reason, whether its out of the “ahemmm” kindness of our hearts or for economics.

If certain people on this earth today want to live a simplistic life, a tribal one, one without any of the “modern conveniences”, well fine. But, if where they live is abundant in some resource, would it not be completely idiotic not to use it? They don’t have to, but the rest of us sure as all hell want it, whether we would admit it or not.

Of course this could be done in a nicer manner than some business transactions these days, but as the saying goes, business is business. It’s a dam shame, but hey, we don’t wanna meddle in their everyday lives so well just take their stuff from the ground, leave a few euros or dollars, and say thank you.

Its very simple, its called trade, its economics. “Its the economy stupid” was a tag line from here in the states. This has been going on for thousands of years and quite frankly it will never end. If it does, well then I hate to say it but we would be living one of two lifestyles, that of either Orwell of Huxley.

We either decide to abolish the UN, forget all international treaties and law, or nations such as the US, GB, hell the G8 and the Security Council have a duty to fix these problems, otherwise this whole thing is a joke.

Rant over, sorry to get off topic.

ehhhhh no, is all I can say to your post Gary…..honestly, i dont think you hate the United States or anything, but at least be sensical.

Couldnt the consumption in regards to the F-22 also be caused by the engines? I remember reading way back when they were more like “leaky turbojets” than turbofans, with a corresponding decrease in fuel efficiency.