BF2S Forums The Rise Of The Rest

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Oh, actually, you mean you thought I meant staying in the middle east? is that it?

If so, no, no, I meant staying at home instead of stretching your (by which I mean Americas) imperialistic legs.

The hypocrisy is nauseating.

What hypocrisy?

1. Great Britain is no longer imperialistic.
2. I think we shouldn't be in the Middle East either.

Canin wrote:

RAIMIUS wrote:

The competativeness taught to so many Americans is being challenged...and is adapting to the times.  [begin rant/musing on society]

To the older posters: When you played a sport, as a kid, did everyone get a trophy? 
When did it become ok to settle for the title of "runner up" in American culture? 

Being 2nd best is insulting, to most of American culture...or, at least, it was.  Nobody praised the Cubs for almost winning the world series, during any of their unsuccessful seasons of the past 100 years.  Americans seemed to be taught that being 2nd wasn't acceptable.  It ran through Patton's nationalistic speaches.  It dominated the pride and the fears of the Cold War.  It dominated the business culture.  (It dominated the storyline of Team America ) 

Yet, when I played Little League, I got a very nice little trophy...even though I sucked at baseball.  I managed to obtain a rather sizeable collection of certificates, ribbons, and various awards, but most of them were for mediocre/slightly above average performance.  Sure, I'm proud of several of my accomplishments, but I've got a box full of awards for things that were not a big deal...why is that?  When did participating become as laudable as winning?

Is this supposed trend a good thing?  Is it good to stop once a decent goal has been met?  Is it right to settle for "almost the best?"  Maybe it is.  We all feel better when we are told, "you tried hard, and did ok."  Most of us like being praised, whether or not we were #1.  Not everyone can be the best, and sometimes #2 is pretty good...but what do we lose, when we accept being second best?  Do we become "cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat?"...Do we not achieve our full potential?...Do we end the day saying, "I wonder what the view from the top is" or maybe "What would have happened if...?"

I don't know if it's right, but I've made a few major life decisions based on the fact that I would always wonder "what if" had I not chosen the hardest path, set the highest goals, or whatnot, and I'm not sorry I decided that way.  Was that the best way?  Is that a healthy thing?  I'm not sure.

[/musing]

I think you can thank organizations like Upwards Sports and the like for the new thinking in America that no one needs to loose, everyone is a winner. Last I read, Upwards does not even keep score, so as not to injure the delicate psyche of the children playing the sports.

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

The hypocrisy is nauseating.

What hypocrisy?

1. Great Britain is no longer imperialistic.
2. I think we shouldn't be in the Middle East either.

Currently the worlds most troubled areas are a result of your catastrophic failure in creating borders. If Europeans had "stayed put" you wouldn't even have America to complain about. Two centuries is relatively recent in historical context. So you will have to excuse me if I can't summon the ignorance to give Europe a pass. Especially considering they almost destroyed civilization twice within the last century. You have become complacent while living under your current delusion of pacifism.

PureFodder wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Currently the worlds most troubled areas are a result of your catastrophic failure in creating borders. If Europeans had "stayed put" you wouldn't even have America to complain about. Two centuries is relatively recent in historical context. So you will have to excuse me if I can't summon the ignorance to give Europe a pass. Especially considering they almost destroyed civilization twice within the last century. You have become complacent while living under your current delusion of pacifism.

I will accept the responsibilty Great Britain carries for our actions in the past.

However, we learnt the lessons that the US and other parts of the world have yet to learn. Pacifism is not a delusion. War and violence don't work. Peace and negotiation work.

Look at Northern Ireland.

I'd argue that Britain hasn't learnt the lessons, we've just lost the power to act. This is why a leveling out of power is a good thing. If there are one or two countries with the power to do pretty much whatever they want, they'll abuse the power and use it to persue more power and wealth at the price of others. If the US looses it's power to act unilaterally, the world will be a safer place. If China becomes some massive unopposed mega-power, they'll probably start blowing up countries around the world and imposing their will on others like the US and Britain has done in the past.

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

What hypocrisy?

1. Great Britain is no longer imperialistic.
2. I think we shouldn't be in the Middle East either.

Currently the worlds most troubled areas are a result of your catastrophic failure in creating borders. If Europeans had "stayed put" you wouldn't even have America to complain about. Two centuries is relatively recent in historical context. So you will have to excuse me if I can't summon the ignorance to give Europe a pass. Especially considering they almost destroyed civilization twice within the last century. You have become complacent while living under your current delusion of pacifism.

I will accept the responsibilty Great Britain carries for our actions in the past.

However, we learnt the lessons that the US and other parts of the world have yet to learn. Pacifism is not a delusion. War and violence don't work. Peace and negotiation work.

Look at Northern Ireland.

nukchebi0 wrote:

To be honest, it might be nice to be second best. We enjoy the standard of living without being global target and policeman.

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

The idea that you have moved on while survivors of Europe latest blood feud still inhabit the earth tells me that you are in denial.

What?

WWII survivors would take issue with your short term memory loss Mr.Pacifist.

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-05-06 08:24:05)

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

WWII survivors would take issue with your short term memory loss Mr.Pacifist.

Why would they?

Think about it. A little hypocritical don't ya think?

Kmarion wrote:

And yes, we have troops in Iraq/Afganistan.

I thought you had learned your lesson.

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

We have. We police where the US bullies.

CameronPoe wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

We have. We police where the US bullies.

Wrong. Those European nations retarded enough to have invaded Iraq are culpable on the bully front too.

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Think about it. A little hypocritical don't ya think?

Why is it hypocritical?

I'm talking about imperialism. WWII was about stopping imperialism, in a sense (a racially disorted form of imperialism).

Ironically imperialism that developed under the do nothing pacifist attitude. I was addressing Europe (the rest of the world has moved on). You only reiterate my opinion of your complacency. Your current position in time lacks historical context.

Kmarion wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

I thought you had learned your lesson.

We have. We police where the US bullies.

I see, your against the idea but you support the act.. got it..lol.

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-05-06 08:50:00)