Hand

Chile was more of the same. U.S. intervention was covert and prevented the inevitability of another communist government which would likely have been far worse than military regime that followed, so, to answer your question, yes….. I believe peoples lives were better in the long run. Leftist forces in Chile were not quite as the Hollywood pinkos portray them. In any event, Chile seems on the mend as do most of the others mentioned before.

Remember, while the U.S. served it’s own interests in such cases, there were always two sides to the story. The original conflicts were born of domestic issues, not caused by the U.S.

Google

The fact that internation communism and it’s clones are mostly defeated, more than justified U.S. foreign policies during the cold war. Imagine what kind of a world it would be like if the U.S. and it’s allies had lost that war.

Millions of deaths caused by the U.S? Are you a fan of that sick ******* Noam Chomsky by any chance?

Its kind of amusing to hear you defend USSR foreign policy. Have you forgotten about:

Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania and the other 14 or so other nations that were invaded and incorporporated into the USSR,

or Poland
East Germany
Czech Republic/Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Albania

Or the many attempted interventions that were made around the worth after 1945 that the U.S. and its allies had to counter?

Perhaps you have overlooked the fact that all of these coutries couldn’t get away fast enough when the USSR folded. Does this give us a clue as to why they did? Unfortunately many of them are still stuggliing with that nightmare. There are lots of demagogues out there.

Sauron

Google

Most of the great powers have been guilty of using influence to change the direction of of foreign governments. You make the U.S. record out to be far worse than it is. While not perfect, compared to the USSR, the U.S. record looks great.

U.S. interventions in Central America were obviously in response to a local power struggle of one sort or another. These struggles would have taken place whether or not the U.S. became involved.

Naturally the U.S acted in it’s best interests and frequently that turned out to be better for everyone in the long run. Those that favoured communist dictatorships didn’t agree naturally (one communist dictatorship in the region is enough).

There are still problems in the region but always blaming the U. S. dosn’t solve them. Eventually, local populations have to except responsibilty for their problems As to the human toll? Who can say exactly, but to imply that the U.S. is responsible of millons of death is rubbish. We can’t even guess at what the toll would have been had the U.S. not been involved. Groups like the Sandinistas were hardly saints. You will notice that when it stands in a democratic election, it looses. The local folks may know something we don’t.

Sauron

Hand

You are actually one of the more balanced and fair minded individuals on this forum so just let me say that I am not always uncritical of the U.S. Generally I do agree with most U.S. policies.

As far as my problem with commies and feeling surrounded and all. Well I never miss an opportunity to slag the commies given what they have done around the world.

Regards

Sauron

Just a final word or two. The article refers to the “American century – three phases”. The century only starts in 1945 but nevermind. It gives an outline. Real dreamland stuff IMHO.

How is this for a an American Century? Starts a little earlier. It too has phases.

Phase I 1942-1945

U.S. comes to Europe’s aid and plays a major role in defeating Nazi Germany at the same time it is fighting Japan,

Phase II 1946- 1949

U.S. plays a major role in first stages of the reconstruction of Europe and Japan.

Phase III 1950 to 1989

U.S. plays a major role in NATO’s defence of Euorope during the cold war which ends with the collapse of the USSR and the end of the Warsaw Pact. Big party at the Berlin Wall.

Phase IV 1990- Sep 10/2001

Europe continues to gain economic strength, former communist dictatorships gradually transition to free and democratic societies and some begin to join NATO and the EU takes steps to welcome new members. *

* in the late 90’s the U.S. is forced to lead a NATO military intervention to stop genocide in the former Yugoslavia after years of UN bungling and failure. The killing stops but tensions linger and due perhaps to the fact that Europe still can’t handle all elements of its internal relationships without U.S. assistance, the first muttering about American Imperialism and global dominance are heard. Oil is not mentioned.

Phase V Sep 11/2001 to present

U.S. is attacked by Islamic terrorist. 3000 killed.

Simpathy doesn’t last long once it became apparent that the the Bush administration was serious about tracking down the perps instead of letting the UNSC handle the situation.

Soon comments like ‘Well they asked for it” and “Look at the way they treat the rest of the world” and the “US is the real danger to world peace, not the Terrorists”and similar remarks.

U.S gets together with a few friends.

Afghanistan is occupied.

Iraq in occupied. Lots of talk about oil surfaces.

Libya, Syria, Iran, North Korea and others (?) are upset. G.W. Bush is called another Hitler.

To be concluded latter in the century.

Sauron

Mitec

Neither do I and I bet the guy who wrote that line dosn’t either. I do detect the faint whif of socialist BS in that last line, however.

Regards

Sauron

Sounds like wishfull thinking to me.:D American imperialism, American global dominance, backroom plots to rule the world, etc, etc . It reads like similar stuff that was published 20 yrs years ago with up-dates.

Personally I am not surprised that all of Europe collectively could rival the US in many respects. It wouldn.t say much for Europe if it could, would it? Considering it has had 50 years to get it’s act together. Same goes for Asia.

A good debate is fun but trying to argue this type of thing is a waste of time. To me, the artical sound a group of backroom types attempting to prove that another group of backroom types, are ploting a world takeover.

Sauron

Sure, sure. yep, yep, must all be true.

I wonder how many versions of this crap are out there?

Sauron:rolleyes:

Arthur.

You are talking about your cat I hope.

Sauron