Read this or be stupid. (1017 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 0.94 on 40 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Zandy1123 (View user info) at 2005-03-17 11:46:36 EST
I'll try to keep this as brief as possible.
You may or may not have heard that President Bush has nominated Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense, to be the next president of the World Bank. While Wolfowitz's nomination has raised a great deal of unrest and opposition in the U.S. and abroad, he has Bush's support and is expected to be approved.
This whole situation should raise some bigass red flags with everyone. Period.
Why?
First, there's the World Bank argument: while it's stated purpose is to provide loans and economic assistance to developing nations, the World Bank is often criticized for being a tool of U.S. imperialistic/globalization efforts. Supporters of the World Bank dismiss this criticism and take moral highground, claiming that the organization is purely for the benefit of impoverished countries.
So, if the World Bank is such a benevolent, well-meaning entity, then one would expect that its president also be benevolent and well-meaning. And Bush has Wolfowitz's back on that one, stating that Wolfowitz is "a compassionate, decent man who will do a fine job at the World Bank."
But does Wolfowitz's record back that up?
The answer is simply NO.
Paul Wolfowitz is widely known as one of the primary architects of the Iraq war, which heavily tarnishes his "compassionate" record, but that's not what bothers me most. Wolfowitz is one of the founding members of the Project for the New American Century...and if you're not familiar with PNAC, you really should be. The mission of the PNAC is "to make the case and rally support for American global leadership." Or, in other words, they seek U.S. global domination. It's all spelled out very plainly on their website: http://newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm (be sure to take note of the names at the bottom of that document.)
So, the new president of the World Bank is a "compassionate, decent man" who also wants to extend U.S. power across the globe. Does anyone else see the incredible paradox?
This is not an issue of politics...at least in terms of left vs. right or Democrat vs. Republican...it is an issue of global politics and relations. The World Bank has been around since 1946 and has always been controlled by the U.S., regardless of who's in the White House or who controls Congress. The World Bank has been criticized since day one - again, regardless of those in power within the U.S. government.
Remember cartoons and movies when you were a kid? Like Star Wars, for example. There were the bad guys whose mission it was to take over the world...or the universe, depending on the cartoon. And then there were the good guys, who were usually underdogs, that would fight, usually with lasers, the bad guys to thwart their evil objectives. Like most of us, I hated the bad guys and I would always cheer for the good guys.
A question for my fellow Americans: Do you want to be a good guy or a bad guy?
If we don't all wake up and take a stand, we're all going to be in a world of shit.
User Reviews
Submitted by thorpe (user info) at 2005-03-18 04:02:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I chose to be stupid.
I might read it later.
Submitted by williamson (user info) at 2005-03-18 00:19:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Lord have mercy.
Submitted by MrWillard (user info) at 2005-03-17 20:50:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Heres your +2...I'm going to get drunk
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 17:44:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
you're right Icarus.
Submitted by icarus1987 (user info) at 2005-03-17 14:48:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
'going' to be?
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 14:10:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by the_mysterious_stranger (user info) at 2005-03-17 14:03:15 (#)
Ranking: -2
You're the fucking man, spook. Do you realize how racist and ignorant you sound? In germany you could go to jail for that antisemistic shit! And you are the one accusing republicans of racism..really fucking funny. I bet Bush is a better man than you.
Well, good thing I'm in the US then, huh?
Submitted by the_mysterious_stranger (user info) at 2005-03-17 14:09:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
sorry, didn't mean to ruin zandy's rating
Submitted by the_mysterious_stranger (user info) at 2005-03-17 14:03:15 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You're the fucking man, spook. Do you realize how racist and ignorant you sound? In germany you could go to jail for that antisemistic shit! And you are the one accusing republicans of racism..really fucking funny. I bet Bush is a better man than you.
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:58:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
zandy, sorry for the argument on your post.
i feel i owe you a +2.....so, here you go.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:54:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
glad to be back Davros/Tiger/GLALL
I've been swamped with work and all sorts of other shit and simply haven't had time for Uber. But I couldn't pass on this post...I had to get it out.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:51:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hahahaha
hahahahha
Well, I'm done. Let this guy's post speak for itself.
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:50:09 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:43:36 (#)
Ranking: 2
fudgepacker,
Get back to work, before daddy fires you.
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sorry, try again, bud. my dad's too busy operating on whores like your mother who got the HIV from her pimp she fucked since she was scared that she couldnt make enoughh money on the street.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:43:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
fudgepacker,
Get back to work, before daddy fires you.
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:30:48 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:15:56 (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey, go fuck yourself buddy. I actually had to PAY for my education and earn my money. You probably had everything handed to you AND are fucking cheap. Next time I see you on the street, you can suck me off
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WOW...so you're a racist AND an ignorant ass who makes inane blanket assumptions without even checking the facts. So, to retort, I paid for my education as well and have not accepted ONE PENNY from my parents for either rent, bills, car payments, college tuition, etc etc. And nay girl I take out can verify the fact that not only am I not cheap, I am quite generous. So, while I'm sure you would want me to suck you off (as it would be the only ass you would get in your pathetic life), I'm going to decline.
Rather, ANYTIME you want to meet up and settle this face to face, you just let me know. I live in Brooklyn, NY and I work in Manhattan...so, the ball's in your court, chief.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:20:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff, but worrying.
I think Loki summed it up best for me.
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Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:50:43 (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw this and it gave me a bit of a fox in charge of the hen house vibe.
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Goos to see you back.
-Dave
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:20:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I wish the World Bank would stop calling me and trying to issue me a credit card.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 13:15:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:57:12 (#)
Ranking: -1
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:37:38 (#)
Ranking: 2
If it's not one asshole Jew, it's another. The US is owned by rich Jews. Hell, the whole world is.
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if i ever fucking see you on the street, you have one big jewish fist coming straight at your aryan face. fuck you.
Hey, go fuck yourself buddy. I actually had to PAY for my education and earn my money. You probably had everything handed to you AND are fucking cheap. Next time I see you on the street, you can suck me off.
Submitted by Thirty_Four_Eggs (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:59:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:57:12 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:37:38 (#)
Ranking: 2
If it's not one asshole Jew, it's another. The US is owned by rich Jews. Hell, the whole world is.
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if i ever fucking see you on the street, you have one big jewish fist coming straight at your aryan face. fuck you.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:50:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I saw this and it gave me a bit of a fox in charge of the hen house vibe.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:37:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
If it's not one asshole Jew, it's another. The US is owned by rich Jews. Hell, the whole world is.
Submitted by swing39 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:36:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Zandy1123
swing39 -
You need to read up on some history to learn about all of the U.S.-sponsored terror that has taken place around the globe over the past 40 years. Then you might see what I see.
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Zandy - Yeah, OK. I read history. I particularly enjoy the following quote by FDR regarding the butcher Anastasio Somoza García:
"He was a son-of-a-bitch. But he was our son-of-a-bitch."
hehe.
cheers.
Submitted by Jo_of_the_golden_P (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:36:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for being well-informed.
<3
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:30:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hi Z-man!!
I disagree with you! You know this.
But hugs are in order!
Submitted by HZRD (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:28:27 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Dude, like I'm going to change this all my my lonesome.
But hey, there's a glimmer of hope in protesting: hippies have been known to sway political opinion since the sixties*!
* - take note of the sarcasm.
Bush is an asshole and is going to nominate assholes and push through shitty agendas that roll back civil, racial and womens' rights gains and make the U.S. look like a bunch of idiots. It's going to happen, deal with it you moron... we have to.
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:25:27 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Title should have read "Read this AND be stupid."
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:25:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
swing39 -
You need to read up on some history to learn about all of the U.S.-sponsored terror that has taken place around the globe over the past 40 years. Then you might see what I see.
Submitted by swing39 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:21:46 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
The reason Wolfowitz got the gig: Not for world domination. The whole aim of US foreign policy since the end of the 19th Century has been to promote democracy and free trade. Democracies don't like to go to war, and don't have any territorial aspirations (the US certainly doesn't - they already take 35% out of my paycheck every year - the last thing we want is to start feeding MORE third world people). Therefore, this is not an imperialistic move (consult a dictionary every once and a while).
In his role at the Pentagon, Wolfowitz has an intimate knowledge of the geopolitical terror situation. Hopefully, as a part of WorldBank, Wolfowitz will be able to put in place policies that will prevent monies getting into the hands of 1) terrorists and 2) rogue nations.
Also, removing hardliner Wolfowitz from the Pentagon sends a message to others in the world that the US is not planning to attack Iran, Syria, Luxembourg, or wherever in the near future. This is especially important since Israel has recently expressed public desire to blow the hell out of Iran's nuclear program (again).
The idea that Bush is hellbent on world domination is absurd. Conspiracy theories such as the Trilateral Commission and the Bilderburg Conference are more plausible, which is to say, not very.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:21:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
wardy...are you drunk?
Submitted by Recalcitrant (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:20:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
This is going to be a double-whammy for developing countries. Not only will the World Bank indebt the Third World, but now they will have the American agenda force-fed to them.
But on the positive side, I'm sure Wolfowitz will turn the WB into a very profitable organization.
Submitted by wardy (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:20:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Tssssssss PTArICdkS DAY################!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:19:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i think if i told people my views on the government and politics today someone would try and shoot me in the mouth.
+2's for life godammit Zandy.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:15:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:13:56 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-17 11:49:50 (#)
Ranking: 0
Fuck 'em.
If they don't like it, we can just drop our support for their world handout-bank.
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As simple as it sounds this is the truth, why should we support something, especially be the biggest supporter of something (in economic terms) unless it works in a direction we want?
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It doesn't bother you that the "direction we want" is imperialistic in nature?
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:14:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:06:25 (#)
Ranking: -1
But the way you put it, you make it seem as though the US is trying to wrap its 'tentacles' around the world and make a new Roman Empire. You're wrong. People are mistaking benevolence for scheming.
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The U.S. IS trying to wrap its 'tentacles' around the world. Did you read any of the literature at the PNAC site? It's VERY plainly stated there. It's written as clear as day and Wolfowitz's name is smack-dab in the middle of it.
I have no political affiliation. I am not a "bleeding heart" anything. I am simply an observer.
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:13:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-17 11:49:50 (#)
Ranking: 0
Fuck 'em.
If they don't like it, we can just drop our support for their world handout-bank.
------------------------------------------------------------------
As simple as it sounds this is the truth, why should we support something, especially be the biggest supporter of something (in economic terms) unless it works in a direction we want?
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:06:25 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Just so you know, it takes alot to get me to talk about politics.....
Just because you're a bleeding heart liberal does not mean that every republican out there is, as you referred to them, a 'bad guy.' It's really not as black and white as you put it.
And for the record, do you know why the World Bank has been thoguht of as a 'US stronghold' since its inception? It's because the US makes the most contributions to the damn thing. Think of it as a corporation: if you are a majority shareholder, wouldn't you want to make DAMN sure that the corporation was being run smoothly? And yes, I understand that the World Bank and IMF are international conglomerate entities, as it should be. Funding developing countries is awesome.
But the way you put it, you make it seem as though the US is trying to wrap its 'tentacles' around the world and make a new Roman Empire. You're wrong. People are mistaking benevolence for scheming.
I agree with you that there should be a different person at the helm of the World Bank, though. Greenspan would be an interesting choice.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:06:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-03-17 11:55:25 (#)
Ranking: 2
Who gets final approval? The US Senate? The UN?
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Typically, the president of the World Bank is appointed by the U.S. This is what is says on wikipedia.org: "By convention, the Bank president is always a US citizen, just as the Managing Director of the IMF is a European, but there is no requirement that a nomination by the United States government must be accepted by European partners. As Michel Barnier, French Foreign Minister has commented: "It's a proposal. We shall examine it in the context of the personality of the person you mention and perhaps in view of other candidates."
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How long a term does he get - could he still be in office once Bush leaves power?
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Yes - he could be there after Bush leaves.
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The World Bank doesn't really matter to people on the streets here, but I'd still hate to see him placed in such a position of power.
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Unfortunately, he's already in a huge position of power....this would just make it worse.
Submitted by Dolson (user info) at 2005-03-17 12:01:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
The world bank itself has final approval, but the United States controls 39% or so of the votes (they are based on contributions, like a corporation). The only way to block Wolfowitz would be if Canada, China, Japan, the Asian Tiger Economies, Oceania, Russia, all of the EU and most of the third world voted to block him. Good luck. Bush just handed that jackass the job.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-03-17 11:55:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Who gets final approval? The US Senate? The UN?
How long a term does he get - could he still be in office once Bush leaves power?
The World Bank doesn't really matter to people on the streets here, but I'd still hate to see him placed in such a position of power.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-17 11:49:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Fuck 'em.
If they don't like it, we can just drop our support for their world handout-bank.