Go to From The Observation Deck
- Add a comment
- Go to For the world stage
Re:
Why not, Utah? President Obama doesn't have all the say in everything that goes on. There are many behind-the-scenes advisors scattered amongst both parties who have a pretty decent handle on the ups and downs of world politics. Regardless of who is president, there will be plenty of opportunities to get our "rep" back! In fact, one may be approaching as we speak . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 8, 2012 at 7:40 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: It all makes me sad
And that, Bel, is what I call contradiction. Our enemies invoke their religion in justifying their attacks on us, and yet this same religion supposedly teaches love and understanding. You figure it all out! 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 8, 2012 at 7:36 AM
| link to this | reply
Re:
I know, Bright, that "all you need is love" would make the world a better place. But unfortunately, that's just not the reality. Remember: Fear causes hesitation. And hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true. We must make others stop and pause. Glad you liked my analogy! 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 8, 2012 at 7:35 AM
| link to this | reply
It can still be done, but not by this administration I'm afraid.
posted by
UtahJay
on May 7, 2012 at 10:08 PM
| link to this | reply
It all makes me sad
I truly believe that love can heal all but first you must love...not much of that happening from those who hate us.
posted by
Bel_Marshall
on May 7, 2012 at 8:20 PM
| link to this | reply
Jimmy .. It would be a wonderful world if we could all love one another but that is not the case and IMHO it's in our interest to be feared because fear may not stop all attacks but it definitely makes one think twice before taking action. I enjoyed your analogy! 
posted by
BrightIrish
on May 7, 2012 at 7:25 PM
| link to this | reply
Re:
It sure is, Sam, and it seems that the bulk of the rest of the world always turns to the good ol' U.S. of A. for help, even though, as I've said, we seem to be losing our respect around the world at the same time. It's an incredible corundum! 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2012 at 7:25 AM
| link to this | reply
Re:
I'm glad, FSI, that I'm not the only one to see the potential in using "Happy Days" episodes as analogies. There are others I'm sure, but for this particular discussion, I thought that episode said it best. "Loved" or "feared" . . . as a powerful nation, it is a thin tightrope to walk!
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2012 at 7:22 AM
| link to this | reply
Re:
That's a good analogy too, TAPS. A good combination of love and fear can also work, like one might have for their father. Can we be considered a "father figure" to some parts of the world? Hmmm . . . a discussion for another day!
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2012 at 7:19 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: The Fonz never held down his head....well 'cept when Mrs. Cunningham
Well, Kabu, that wasn't really my point, but you're right. When Mrs. C. did or said something that would somewhat embarrass the Fonz, he did hang his head . . . for a moment. However, he never showed fear either! That's what I was leading up to!
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2012 at 7:16 AM
| link to this | reply
Re: JimmyA
Thanks for the history lesson, Wiley. There are even more aspects of that situation that I won't even go into right now ( concerning the Russian diplomats who were also taken hostage ). Either way, I still believe that that was when the "paper tiger" of U.S. foreign diplomacy was revealed. We lost a lot of respect during that crisis.
posted by
JimmyA
on May 7, 2012 at 7:13 AM
| link to this | reply
Terrorism is an ugly beast! sam 
posted by
sam444
on May 6, 2012 at 10:44 PM
| link to this | reply
Happy Days episodes are great for analogies...Those are interesting thoughts about whether to desire to be feared or loved.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 6, 2012 at 8:24 PM
| link to this | reply
A healthy respect is what's needed. That could include a combo of love and fear...love when they are being good and fear when they are being bad. I definitely had a healthy respect for my dad. It kept me in line.
posted by
TAPS.
on May 6, 2012 at 8:18 PM
| link to this | reply
The Fonz never held down his head....well 'cept when Mrs. Cunningham
took him to task...the Fonz would find a way!!!!
posted by
Kabu
on May 6, 2012 at 6:00 PM
| link to this | reply
JimmyA
I'll betcha the 'Fonz' wouldn't have mentioned these facts either about Tehran.
Canadian rescue of hostages
On the day the hostages were seized, six American diplomats evaded capture and remained in hiding at the Swiss and Canadian embassies. In 1979, the Canadian Parliament held a secret session for the first time since World War II in order to pass special legislation allowing Canadian passports to be issued to some American citizens so that they could escape. The six American diplomats boarded a flight to Zürich, Switzerland, on January 28, 1980. Their escape and rescue from Iran by Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor has come to be known as the "Canadian Caper".(Wikipedia)
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 6, 2012 at 5:26 PM
| link to this | reply