How Dangerous Is America?

[questionmark]

How Dangerous Is America?

By Gabor Steingart in Washington, D.C.

Helmut Schmidt, the former German chancellor who initiated the US arms buildup against the Soviet Union during his term in office, considers today's Russia to be less dangerous than the United States. This is as surprising as it is provocative.

Former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt used to refer to journalists derisively as "highwaymen." There is a certain cruel irony in the fact that Schmidt himself is a journalist today, although members of the profession might be inclined to interpret this as a sign of its irresistibility. A man with his range of experience -- as a soldier, a cabinet minister and chancellor for almost eight years -- can expect that people will listen when he speaks. Of course, listening to Schmidt doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with him, at least not automatically. Even former chancellors can be wrong or guilty of exaggeration, especially when they address us as journalists. And being wrong or exaggerating isn't exactly unheard of in journalism.

"I do not believe that someone who disagrees with me should be criticized for that reason alone," Schmidt said at a ceremony to celebrate his 85th birthday in 2003. And he added: "But he must be criticized if he states an opinion that is not real." Let us subject the various opinions to a reality test. Schmidt says: "Russia poses far less of a threat to world peace today than, for example, the United States. You can go ahead and print that." These were the words Schmidt uttered in an interview with his own paper, the weekly Die Zeit. He also said that, although he does not view Russian President Vladimir Putin as a flawless democrat, he does consider him an "enlightened potentate."

But why are the Americans more dangerous than the Russians? Why should we be more afraid of the cradle of democracy than of a potentate, no matter how "enlightened" Schmidt says he is? And is it even relevant whether the censor is educated, disadvantaged, harsh or amiable? What is important, however, is that the censor engages in censorship, while the potentate gives arbitrariness free rein.

Isn't precisely the opposite of what Schmidt says true? That the experienced American democracy is fundamentally less dangerous than Russia, which, after surviving czarism and communism, has experienced only a few years of Putin-style democracy? Even the loud and sometimes insufferable America of President George W. Bush is already significantly less dangerous than it was when he came into office. Today Bush is a dog that barks but can no longer bite. He is limited by four factors, which, in their absoluteness, are foreign to Putin: his own people, the US Constitution, the independent judiciary and the free press. All four factors lend legitimacy to the United States -- and withdraw it again. This is precisely the beauty of a democracy: the people have the first and last word.

Full Story, Source: Der Spiegel

[AROCES]

America is so dangerous that it has the situation of people all over wanting to come and live the American way of life. There are millions of illegal aliens now in the United States and these illegal are wanting to stay than go back to their own countries, that is how dangerous America is.

Edited November 20, 2007 by AROCES

[Lt_Ripley]

we're only dangerous with morons who think like bush in office.

[Mars]

Answer: Not nearly as dangerous as Israel.

[ninjadude]

America is so dangerous that it has the situation of people all over wanting to come and live the American way of life. There are millions of illegal aliens now in the United States and these illegal are wanting to stay than go back to their own countries, that is how dangerous America is.

Certainly no one wants to visit the US now.

There have ALWAYS been millions of illegal aliens in the US.

[Stardrive]

And this comes from the ex-leader of the world's most ex-dangerous country.

[Luziadus]

More dangerous than America is their leader.

[MUM24/7]

I think because of America's high profile, meaning being the most powerful nation on earth, everything associated with this country is scrutinised, commented on and copied......Aspects of American culture have permeated other countries in the western world and fast-becoming a part of other parts of the world, e.g. Asia, Africa and Middle East......

The most obvious and non-threatening example I can give is, MacDonalds......I don't think there's a country on earth that doesn't have the fast-food giant opening it's stores left, right and centre......

So unless you're a vegetarian, it's not too bad ....The problems start however, when the leader of America, as in this case Bush, is dangerous.....

[AROCES]

Certainly no one wants to visit the US now.

There have ALWAYS been millions of illegal aliens in the US.

San Francisco is still one of the top tourist destination in the world. You see, you should have said you wish no one wants to visit the US now.

Edited November 21, 2007 by AROCES

[AROCES]

More dangerous than America is their leader.

Dangerous to the terrorist and tyrants of the world alright.

[Moon Monkey]

Answer: Not nearly as dangerous as Israel.

Ok so there is always a chance of a suicide bomb or rocket or a surprise attack from Syria, Hezbollah (Iran) or Hamas (Iran)....but apart from that its not really dangerous, security and air defense are quite good and all buildings have a bomb shelter. But its nice to know you care.

[Mithra]

it is dangerous

[Cradle of Fish]

Helmut Schmidt, the former German chancellor who initiated the US arms buildup against the Soviet Union during his term in office, considers today's Russia to be less dangerous than the United States. This is as surprising as it is provocative.

While Russia is more dangerous to its own people, the US is far more outwardly dangerous. There's 60 million people in Iran who are being threatened because of the rhetoric of one. How about asking the people in Iraq whether they think the US or Russia is more dangerous, or asking people who lived under sanctions for years. If you tally up the people who feel threatened by the US or by Russia, I think the US would come far out ahead.

But it's not the americans fault, not really, all they did was elect and re-elect a warmonger.

This is precisely the beauty of a democracy: the people have the first and last word.

Thats also the problem with democracy, the people can be influence or frightened into doing what their leaders want, including voting for certain people and supporting illegitimate wars.

And this comes from the ex-leader of the world's most ex-dangerous country.

Chancellor isnt the leader of germany, and you might remember that post war west germany was an ally to the west.

[Ins0mniac]

America is so dangerous that it has the situation of people all over wanting to come and live the American way of life. There are millions of illegal aliens now in the United States and these illegal are wanting to stay than go back to their own countries, that is how dangerous America is.

I think a lot of Western countries are having problems with illegal immigration at the moment, not just the U.S (hell, we are and we are 100% surrounded by ocean!). And I don't think poor people seeking a better life are that concerned about international relations involving the target country. I think they're more concerned about their chances of gaining a better life.

But it's not the americans fault, not really, all they did was elect and re-elect a warmonger.

But remember, we elected and re-elected a prime minister that agreed with him all the way.

Edited November 21, 2007 by Ins0mniac

[girty1600]

America is EVIL and always has been since its creation; everyone knows it and dwells on a day-to-day basis thanks to the internet for pushing it over-the-top.

Here are a few tips to remember about Americans and if you will bear with me you might not get screwed.

-ALL American citizens are potenially evil and very very dangerous. If you come across an American away from his homeland please don't trust him; he's only in that country to gain political support. An American traveling abroad attempting to befriend a native is the worst case scenerio for a happy citizen of a socialist country.

-Remember that all Americans are filthy in everthing they do. They don't use the toilet but rather wipe feces and spray urine on the walls of all public establishments, not just bar restrooms like they tend to do at home. Disease is ramped and you can't be too careful so carry a louse can (like a mace can) to clean these unsavory folks. Please think of the children.

-Understand that the American people as a whole consists of blood lines from every single country and culture on the planet and only the negative stereotypes of said sources are retained in these people. Something about the jet stream causes violent recessive genes to be dominant and that explains why only some Canadians are complete a******s.

-Do not put yourself in a position where one of these Americans thinks he's you're pal just because you've conversed on the internet. Never tell an American you covet a so-called "freedom" he's obtuse enough to believe actually exists; you would be adding to the problem at hand.

-Keep in mind that the American will not be a blip on the screen in 50 years time so please think of the children. Think of a time in the future when respectible people of the world will no longer have to fret the American knocking at thier proberbial door. Americans are a dying breed in the life cycle as they assimlate into better collective beings...

[Unlimited]

America is EVIL and always has been since its creation; everyone knows it and dwells on a day-to-day basis thanks to the internet for pushing it over-the-top.

Here are a few tips to remember about Americans and if you will bear with me you might not get screwed.

-ALL American citizens are potenially evil and very very dangerous. If you come across an American away from his homeland please don't trust him; he's only in that country to gain political support. An American traveling abroad attempting to befriend a native is the worst case scenerio for a happy citizen of a socialist country.

-Remember that all Americans are filthy in everthing they do. They don't use the toilet but rather wipe feces and spray urine on the walls of all public establishments, not just bar restrooms like they tend to do at home. Disease is ramped and you can't be too careful so carry a louse can (like a mace can) to clean these unsavory folks. Please think of the children.

-Understand that the American people as a whole consists of blood lines from every single country and culture on the planet and only the negative stereotypes of said sources are retained in these people. Something about the jet stream causes violent recessive genes to be dominant and that explains why only some Canadians are complete a******s.

-Do not put yourself in a position where one of these Americans thinks he's you're pal just because you've conversed on the internet. Never tell an American you covet a so-called "freedom" he's obtuse enough to believe actually exists; you would be adding to the problem at hand.

-Keep in mind that the American will not be a blip on the screen in 50 years time so please think of the children. Think of a time in the future when respectible people of the world will no longer have to fret the American knocking at thier proberbial door. Americans are a dying breed in the life cycle as they assimlate into better collective beings...

Wow..that's the most paranoid twisted thing i've ever read...nice post though...americans arent really like you describe at all...but enjoy.

[Cradle of Fish]

Wow..that's the most paranoid twisted thing i've ever read...nice post though...americans arent really like you describe at all...but enjoy.

May I direct you to some of your posts in the NWO thread?

[MUM24/7]

Wow..that's the most paranoid twisted thing i've ever read...nice post though...americans arent really like you describe at all...but enjoy.

I think Girty was being facetious.....

Right Girty ??......

[Unlimited]

May I direct you to some of your posts in the NWO thread?

was I espousing fear and hatred of americans?...maybe you should direct me cradle...thx for your help

[Borat]

America is EVIL and always has been since its creation; everyone knows it and dwells on a day-to-day basis thanks to the internet for pushing it over-the-top.

Here are a few tips to remember about Americans and if you will bear with me you might not get screwed.

-ALL American citizens are potenially evil and very very dangerous. If you come across an American away from his homeland please don't trust him; he's only in that country to gain political support. An American traveling abroad attempting to befriend a native is the worst case scenerio for a happy citizen of a socialist country.

etc

You should be careful posting parody, it is well known that americans do not recognize it easily.

[fylgja]

America is EVIL and always has been since its creation; everyone knows it and dwells on a day-to-day basis thanks to the internet for pushing it over-the-top.

Here are a few tips to remember about Americans and if you will bear with me you might not get screwed.

-ALL American citizens are potenially evil and very very dangerous. If you come across an American away from his homeland please don't trust him; he's only in that country to gain political support. An American traveling abroad attempting to befriend a native is the worst case scenerio for a happy citizen of a socialist country.

-Remember that all Americans are filthy in everthing they do. They don't use the toilet but rather wipe feces and spray urine on the walls of all public establishments, not just bar restrooms like they tend to do at home. Disease is ramped and you can't be too careful so carry a louse can (like a mace can) to clean these unsavory folks. Please think of the children.

-Understand that the American people as a whole consists of blood lines from every single country and culture on the planet and only the negative stereotypes of said sources are retained in these people. Something about the jet stream causes violent recessive genes to be dominant and that explains why only some Canadians are complete a******s.

-Do not put yourself in a position where one of these Americans thinks he's you're pal just because you've conversed on the internet. Never tell an American you covet a so-called "freedom" he's obtuse enough to believe actually exists; you would be adding to the problem at hand.

-Keep in mind that the American will not be a blip on the screen in 50 years time so please think of the children. Think of a time in the future when respectible people of the world will no longer have to fret the American knocking at thier proberbial door. Americans are a dying breed in the life cycle as they assimlate into better collective beings...

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

eeeeeeeeeee

[Moon Monkey]

Wow..that's the most paranoid twisted thing i've ever read...nice post though...americans arent really like you describe at all...but enjoy.

She forgot fat as well.

[+DieChecker]

I think a lot of Western countries are having problems with illegal immigration at the moment, not just the U.S (hell, we are and we are 100% surrounded by ocean!). And I don't think poor people seeking a better life are that concerned about international relations involving the target country. I think they're more concerned about their chances of gaining a better life.

Yeah, but it is too bad that they usually bring their Culture with them instead of adopting the one they are moving into. A lot of these people come from nations were it is OK to use violence to solve a problem. A disproportionate number of these people then get in trouble with the law, and then it is called a racial issue, and more lenient laws have to then be made. And, I don't think every country in the world gives driving lessons, because I know some of these people should not be driving.

I believe America is dangerous. Probably a lot more dangerous then England and Germany. We have guns here and few limits on how they are used. Three people were shot here in Portland last night. Maybe twelve in the last week. How many people are shot in Bonn or Orleans or Edinburgh each day?

[+DieChecker]

You should be careful posting parody, it is well known that americans do not recognize it easily.

I thought it was parody.

[bathory]

You should be careful posting parody, it is well known that americans do not recognize it easily.

i think its more to do with the fact that on this board you can have a sane discussion about oil prices next to one claiming alien reptiles are taking over the world by entering our bodies through our rectums and attaching themselves to a spinal column.