I do see that most Americans today have a contempt for the UN, an institution they so praised and held in high esteem some years ago.
As I read the news, Britian will introduce a resolution next week in the UN on Iraq. It essentially will ask for unfettered access to the arms inspectors, and authorization for a 'single' nation to take action if that access is denied. I suspect that resolution or something like that will pass. Perhaps US is negotiating with Russia, China and the Europeans about the exact wording. Bottom line, US will get UN's OK and Bush will get Congresses OK. So now wait for: "Of course UN is US' handmaiden and the Congress is totally beholden to certain very powerfull lobbies with global reach".
I think once the UN agrees with US policy - fairly soon I would imagine - it will be held in less contempt.
Madiba on the decision to invade Iraq:
[quote]
**It is clearly a decision that is motivated by George W. Bush’s desire to please the arms and oil industries in the United States of America.
...But what we know is that Israel has weapons of mass destruction. Nobody talks about that. Why should there be one standard for one country, especially because it is black, and another one for another country, Israel, that is white.**
[/quote]
Thanks for the link, PA. Kinda surprised to hear these words from him.
as if UN is gonna do any good this time!
Until 1995, South Africa exported roughly 60% of its defense equipment to Middleeast, and now it is only about 5%. You can imagine why they are crying foul. Now SA exports almost half of its arms to African countries (up from less than 5% until 1995). Go figure.
If Mandela thinks that Iraqis are Black, he is really suffering from some color complex.
try to be serious for once.
South African race terminology is notoriously slippery; sometimes, "coloured" refers to those of mixed descent, sometimes "black" refers to Africans. However, it's not uncommon even today to come across someone (in writing or in verbal communication) referring to Asians as "black." It's just a way racial terminology has developed in South Africa, nothing to do with what you are suggesting.
This is just for formalities sake.
USA doesn’t need all this 'Paperwork' ..Caz they already started bombing Iraq last week.
In that case Nadia, he is stupider than I thought he was (at least in this context). Here he is suggesting that the US tilts towards Whites (as opposed to Blacks), does he conveniently forget that US did help Kuwait (also Black) get liberation, it did so in the Balkans, and now in Afghanistan among other places (all Black using South African terminology….well except for the Kosovars and Bosnians).
Send an e-mail to MSNBC and let them know your thoughts regarding Mandela's use of racial terminology. Obviously this is so important to you so why don't you take it up with MSNBC? Better yet, send an e-mail to Madiba himself - i am sure he will have nothing better to do with all the world's problems than read your words of concern about why he used the word "black."
Nadia, Why should I be bothered with that? You seem to have a lot of time on your hands, why don’t you do it? I would be interested to know what color Mandela thinks that he himself is.
You missed the point. Mandela is trying to ridicule the USA from all sides (Color, Race, Religion, etc.) just like a few other people do. He would do so even if USA were Muslim and Black. It is called being unhappy with oneself and pointing fingers to others.
As I said before, SA's arms industry is suffereing due to sanctions imposed on Iraq.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by NYAhmadi: *
As I said before, SA's arms industry is suffereing due to sanctions imposed on Iraq.
[/QUOTE]
SA and Iraq trade partner? anyway to verify this?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Nadia_H: *
South African race terminology is notoriously slippery; sometimes, "coloured" refers to those of mixed descent, sometimes "black" refers to Africans. However, it's not uncommon even today to come across someone (in writing or in verbal communication) referring to Asians as "black." It's just a way racial terminology has developed in South Africa, nothing to do with what you are suggesting.
[/QUOTE]
Quite correct, Nadia_H!
In South Africa, all non-western/Caucasians are sometimes grouped as "black".
As to the issue of defense export, NYA is completely wrong. South Africa still export a large part of their weaponry to Arabian countries. African countries just do not have the finances.
The bottom line is that
a) Iraq might be on the path of aquiring weapons of mass destruction - the USA already have these weapons,
b) Iraq might use these weapons against other countries - the USA already does,
c) Hussain is a mad-man and is not open for council - as is Bush & Mugabe,
d) While I accepted the USA/Bush's word that solid evidence were available before the USA went into Afgan - none were shown to the world afterwards,
e) No solid evidence that will stand up to scrutiny has been supplied for going into Iraq at present.
Now according to america, South Africa is also a terrorist state...
Isn't it Tomasso/Seminole?
i REALLY appreciate it, many thanks for helping out with the terminology TheOldMan. Thank you.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by The Old Man: *
Quite correct, Nadia_H!
In South Africa, all non-western/Caucasians are sometimes grouped as "black".
As to the issue of defense export, NYA is completely wrong. South Africa still export a large part of their weaponry to Arabian countries. African countries just do not have the finances.
The bottom line is that
a) Iraq might be on the path of aquiring weapons of mass destruction - the USA already have these weapons,
b) Iraq might use these weapons against other countries - the USA already does,
c) Hussain is a mad-man and is not open for council - as is Bush & Mugabe,
d) While I accepted the USA/Bush's word that solid evidence were available before the USA went into Afgan - none were shown to the world afterwards,
e) No solid evidence that will stand up to scrutiny has been supplied for going into Iraq at present.
[/QUOTE]
Bit of a ‘controversial’ article especially towards the end. i am not certain how much of it is accurate and not, but to his credit i have always admired the writings of Gary Younge. If the accusation of racism is true, then i should also note that racism exists everywhere, in each corner of the world. Despite our efforts, we EACH possess racist tendencies inside of us - it’s not just a problem isolated to one group of people.
No more Mr Nice Guy, Gary Younge, additional reporting by Shirley Brooks
The Guardian, 19 September 2002
The US not a threat, BUSH is. Lacks all common sense
Actually, CM, he is probably rather intelligent (give or take a few Bushisms), but perhaps it depends upon one's definition. Intelligence and humanity are not the same. Look at the dictators throughout Pakistan's history - some have been rather clever, like Bhutto's clan vis-a-vis ripping off millions from Pakistan's coffers. Sadly, those politicians who seem to possess "intelligence" simultaneously lack humanity.
Am i making any sense?
Your making sense but I believe your target is off. Why is Bush inhuman? Is anyone who supports the Iraqi sanctions inhuman?
Just some quick clarification, thanks.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by underthedome: *
Why is Bush inhuman? Is anyone who supports the Iraqi sanctions inhuman? Just some quick clarification, thanks.
[/QUOTE]
By inhumanity i mean lack of compassion, deep insensitivity. When i say someone lacks humanity, i mean they lack that sense of empathizing with what fellow humans are going through. No i know i am not perfect, far be it for me to say that someone is "inhuman" or "human". God Knows i have enough faults of my own.
And no, not everyone who supports the sanctions are "inhuman". i think they are deeply misguided and, if you will forgive me for saying so, not precisely aware of the situation. Same goes for me when i discuss many issues regarding Pakistan - my heritage being Pakistani, i have a biased view of my country that makes me favour it. If we were discussing for eg., the war of 1971, then i would probably also say things that are deeply misguided because i'm not precisely aware of that historical event.
If someone knows that what s/he is doing is causing pain, and still doesn't cease that policy, then yes i consider a presence of inhumanity. Bush lacks "humanity" IMO because he has failed to terminate a policy that is responsible for taking the lives of 167 kids a day. Yes i admit in other issues, i am certain, i lack humanity as well. i know i shouldn't point fingers at others without first judging myself; (sincerely speaking), thank you for reminding me of that.