Well Maeg, the true solution to the problem is stamping out individuality of entire peoples and cultural rape in truth.
What? We're being accused of that by these people?
Making it intentional and a plan within two generations, instead of the current six with four of terrorism with increasing amounts is required.
Not ethnic cleansing, not the killing of actual persons, but the categorising and destruction of cultural systems via Western education and intergration in earnest.
Why has such a thing never truly occured?
Because human beings are unable to think in terms of true long term planning.
Our last generation has been a failure due to it's being so... practical, and expedient.
Why are we not in space? No true resources, and NASA's budget is cut due to the data being nothing more then categorizing basics.
Pardon my cynicism, but the Western method of thought is literally incompatable with other modes of thinking.
Look at history, look at now, either a futile effort at tolerance is made (which makes us appear more "weak" to some) which in the end only strengthens the mindset, or active assimilation occurs...
If the active assimilation occurs, then there is a chance for the original cultures to resurge out of rebellion as a novelty in youth, and forms a healthy tension.
If the current path occurs, well look at Wall Street, and look at the lack of innovation within beaurocracy.
We'll be forced into different avenues and frontiers, when the other mindset gives Earth room enough... (once again, I'm easily accused of vastly over simplifying the issue for the method of the context it's written within, however the gross estimation does become this)
Edit: I heard mentions of Echelon earlier in this thread, mainly with Deus Ex
In actuality, though we do have Echelon, the little known fact is that the NSA despite having satillites in orbit that can pick out Lincoln's head on a penny and tap every E-Mail and phonecall on the planet can't compile the data at all. The computer crashes are so frequent that they *wish* they were using Windows. (one of the main reasons why the CIA and FBI are far more effective in traditional investigation, since the NSA's "techno powress" is very experimental and designed against a known target *cough* Russia *cough*, not broad monitoring)
Edit#2: Also going back on the thread, I noticed the mention on US military moves and oil transport.
Interesting enough that I had to watch British and Canadian news before I even heard of our under the table military movements.
Yes, all that Bush is concerned about at this moment is maintaining our oil supplies, a move which more then can escallate this issue.
If he contacted the moderate states, and asked them to guard "US oil interests" then with some proper talking he could give the US a better appearance in their face during this crisis. (having the resolve not to move in against allies and neutral parties)
No matter how much we in the US wish to blame the Mid East for the issue, we cannot appear to be moving against it until a proven enemy is found.
This is a tactical error on our government, mainly due to the aforementioned lack of ability to plan.
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AceStaff member FreeSpace Watch
http://freespace.volitionwatch.com/ [This message has been edited by Ace (edited 09-11-2001).]