mrvietnam2001

ignorance is bliss...

Yu must be an incredibly happy idiot then.

Mr Vietnam  

HAHAHAHAHAAHA!

Mr Vietnam  

Here's one of those other "madmen" Libertarians.

Mr Vietnam

HOSTAGES TO U.S. POLICY

Danger welcomes Americans abroad

By DOUG BANDOW

JAKARTA -- "It's dangerous here for Americans," said my cab driver when

I

visited a few weeks ago. No question. A few blocks away sat the J.W.

Marriott, its facade broken and blackened from the bombing in August.

Scores

of windows were blown out; mutilated blinds swayed in the wind. Wrecked

autos sat as silent sentinels in the hotel driveway.

Westerners were almost entirely absent on Jakarta's streets. The

Indonesians

I visited worried about my safety. "People hate Americans," said one;

"they

are very much against Americans," said another. Osama bin Laden posters

still sell in some Islamic neighborhoods as rumors circulate that the

CIA

arranged the Marriott bombing.

During the war with Iraq last spring, the owner of Jakarta's McDonald's

franchises let it be known that he was a Muslim. It was one city where

I did

not jog, even though I've run everywhere from Pyongyang to Pristina.

Security was ubiquitous. At the Sheraton, where I stayed, guards

examined

every car at driveway checkpoints. Another guard used an electronic

wand to

check guests and luggage entering the hotel. The clerk at the reception

desk

tried to reassure me: "You're safe here."

An upscale mall checked vehicles as they entered, and an employee at

the

Hard Rock Cafe searched my backpack. Even as the Indonesian terrorist

Hambali, thought to be involved in the bombings of both the Marriott

and in

Bali, was arrested, the American and Australian governments warned

their

citizens to avoid any Western-owned hotel in Jakarta. Hambali's group,

Jemaah Islamiyah, remains a potent threat.

To fear being murdered for one's nationality is humbling. The mere fact

that

Americans are resented doesn't prove that they or their government are

wrong. But the fact that such sentiments pervade friendly and hostile

nations alike should cause serious reflection.

Common is the "they hate us because we are beautiful" thesis, expressed

in

the aftermath of 9/11 by U.S. President George W. Bush. And, no doubt,

some

people, particularly Islamists and other traditionalists, do resent a

culture that they see as licentious and degrading. But people typically

don't kill because they dislike Disneyland, MTV or liberal democracy.

Instead, they attempt to isolate themselves.

Indeed, polls by John Zogby find that Muslims and Arabs like many of

the

attributes of Western culture. They like American products and

freedoms.

What they don't like are policies of the U.S. government. It is such

policies -- long centered around Iraq, Israel and Saudi Arabia -- that

have

helped spark a hatred strong enough to kill. Alas, Zogby found that

positive

ratings toward America have collapsed with the war on Iraq. One

Indonesian

told me: "Even before, when America attacked Afghanistan, they were

angry."

But it's gotten "worse, much worse," with the attack on Iraq, he said.

This should surprise no one. Terrorism around the world, from the

Tamils in

Sri Lanka to the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland, typically

represents a particularly vicious battle front in an ongoing political

struggle. Palestinians who murder Israeli civilians don't do so out of

an

abstract dislike of Jewish culture, but as part of a bloody struggle

over a

single piece of land. Killers of Americans at the World Trade Center,

Australians in Bali and Westerners in Jakarta perceive a crusade

against

Islam.

Were America's only critics Islamic tribalists, they could more easily

be

ignored. But antagonism toward the U.S. is increasingly evident even

among

friendly peoples and states.

A British conservative member of Parliament privately bemoans American

support for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. A Thai intellectual

criticizes U.S. arrogance.

A Kuwaiti government official worries that restrictive immigration

restrictions are losing America friends. A Portuguese tour guide rues

U.S.

unilateralism.

An Australian wonders how a superpower could act so frightened of a

decrepit

Mideast dictatorship. A German journalist denounces an administration

so

determined on war without allied support -- but then so insistent on

postwar

allied aid.

Such criticism resonates given American ignorance about foreign

affairs.

Many fervent Christian supporters of Israel seem blissfully unaware

that

more than 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli control in the Gaza

Strip and West Bank. There may be good reasons to back Israel, but

peace is

unlikely to come as long as Palestinians live in conditions that

neither

Israelis nor Americans would accept.

Many Americans erroneously believed that former Iraqi President Saddam

Hussein was involved in the 9/11 atrocities. Whatever the argument for

attacking Iraq in an attempt to remake the Mideast, it was not just

another

step in the war on terrorism.

Few Americans can imagine what it is like to have another power,

however

benign its behavior or worthy its intentions, constantly hector,

criticize

and threaten. Yet Washington routinely acts as the world's governess.

Criticism doesn't mean Washington shouldn't act when it believes itself

to

be right and its action to be necessary. It doesn't mean the United

States

should flee unpopularity when great principles and interests are at

stake.

But Americans must realize that they are hated for more than their

beauty.

Although Americans don't deserve to be in danger, U.S. policy often

puts

them at greater risk.

Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

The Japan Times: Oct. 20, 2003

 

I went through most styles before Muay Thai , actually learnt boxing to improve hand speed for MT.

Kung <deleted> ( Lau Gar Style and Wing Chun) pretty cool styles , but not many places practice it in full contact , alas.

     

Yikes! My previous wife was a master ( from xi'an)

Also a lawyer. Was a rough divorce.

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

chonabot "boxing" as well as mui thai? No siree, YOU're the cock.

I boxed a long time ago. Was qualified for GG. Incorporating thai style must really be a trip. Although Kung <deleted> would be better.

Mr Vietnam  ::

Yanks Win!

New York, New York!

Mr Vietnam  

Yanks 6, Fish 1

2 outs

Lowell at the plate.

Mr Vietnam  ???

BTW, top of the 9th, 2 outs, Yankees 6, Marlins Zip.

Mr Vietnam  

plachon little man do you even know what Libertarianism is? Really, do you even have a clue? Where are you from little man? A bastion of freedom hahahaha right? So you must be an expert. Please illuminate the terrain for us will you?

Really after all people like you have done such amazing things in the world with your useless ideology of taking from other people to support your miserable existence. What a joke you are.

Insomuch as being like my countrymen, no, I am certainly in the minority of people who really do hate force, and violence which if course is the underlying action in socialism. Hence I am an incredibly anti socialist kind of guy.

That said, I am absolutely into self defence and yes tootsie, I own guns. Legally and I own the big ones and have been  on outings where I use them for practice and would absolutely not hesitate to take care of anyone attempting to perpetrate theft at my homes or injury to my family and have done so. Legally and with congratulations from the Ft Lauderdale PD when it happened. ( I saved an elderly woman from a poor misunderstood and downtrodden negro who was attempting to break into her house and I held him until the police arrived)

And also insomuch as the somewhat hysterical and pathetic remarks about the land in which I call my home, ie: America, all I can say is we as a people have not been pissed off at anyone in many decades. One of these days though, we will be pushed over the edge and you people will probably be found hiding in your little baskets of existence begging for a handout and protection. Or hoping that some legislator will steal from people who work hard for aliving so as to supply you whining snivelling babies with some kind of welfare.

And after we slap you a few times to wake you up, we as a people will probably do just that, help you as this is what my people are really known for, and that's how big we are.

Good luck trying to scam the Thai government on your visa's. Methinks that game is coming to a close.

Mr Vietnam

Oh by the way, you are partially correct about the iraqui situation being about oil. It's about power and oil is power and guess what? Like it or not, the US has the power and the oil. There is nothing you or anyone else can or will do that can stop that reality. if you had any clue as to my Libertarian ideology you would already know how "I" feel about it.

Yes totsi warrior the foundations of freedom would not suit you very well as affirmative action would be eliminated. Perhaps this is one of your fears?

Never been to idaho, but had a loft in soho. Is this within your ideas of whatever it is you're thinking?

Mr SoCal, hey man, no a fruit juice for me on south Beach, or on phan thiet. Although I do frequent long beach a couple times a year:)

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam

Stay away from the peanuts in SEA.

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Thank you

Mr Vietnam  

Yeh we crazy Libertarians refer to the Constitution. That is crazy since the darn thing is relegated to just a piece of paper in a museum somewhere.

Whew.

Mr Vietnam  

If voting could actually make changes, it would be made illegal

Russell Means

American Indian

Gentleman

Libertarian Candidate for President

http://www.russellmeans.com

Mr Vietnam  :cool:

Pepe,

remember they do NOT use whatever chemical is used to prevent cracking either. I don't know why, other than cost (?)

More good luck to ya!

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Thank you begs.

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Pepe, better off throwing all the negatives out right upfront rather than letting that be an "excuse" for them later on ( he's such a rude man etc etc).

Good luck and remember, they've been negotiating for thousands of years before we were even a twinkle on the planet.

Good luck and regards

Mr Vietnam  

Hi Pepe,

Be VERY exact with your specifications and what you want, and expect up front.

I'm nowhere near what you're contemplating but I did have a building renovated in Vietnam and that included a knock down of a bathroom and complete renovations including electric, plumbing, glass block, marble etc.

The Viets are way more dilligent in this but a very similar situation exists with the saving face crap. I found that doing all the in your face negotiations before anything started or was paid worked wonders.

A similar scenario on a much smaller scale existed for me in South Thailand but it involved an American contractor person so it worked out a lot easier, but again, that was only simple stuff ( booster pump for the plumbing, new a/c installed, screwed up german water heater needed fixing ( this was a trip and a half), concrete stairway built on side going down the mountain. The phones were always problematic.

Tit

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Pinkster, I don't know what "your experience" has to do with it but if you are implying that voting has no meaning, I would be inclined to agree to a point with that statement.

Further, I believe that if the democrats, republicans et'al believed that a threat to the power structure would be possible by a large turnout of people actually voting en masse for the party that most closely resembles the greatness of freedom and the Constitution ( ie: the LP), they would find a way to ban voting altogether.

My point therefore is to hopefully create that wave and let the inevitable happen as soon as possible.

Then we'll see what we'll see.

Mr Vietnam  

Mr Bush,

Please resign.

Vote Libertarian

http://www.lp.org

http://www.fff.org

Mr Vietnam  

Heng,

Great post and a historical fact!

Regards

Mr Vietnam  

plachon, you are now on my ignore list after this.

I'm really way too busy to reply to infantile posts.

Perhaps you and butterfly can take solice in each others views of the world and try to figure out how you can continue to cheat the system and stay in Thailand although it certainly does appear that Mr Thaksin is taking lessons from Florida in which case I guess there's Laos for you for a while after a few months and you are finally ejected.

It really is quite funny.

la-gon

Mr Vietnam  

Right-o Jay.

When you're right, you're right. My apologies to anyone this has offended.

Mr Vietnam

Mr V, you are one popular queen here  

butterfly, is that your position in life has you so down and the fact you are so unsuccessful in life makes you feel as though you must lash out to me?

What is your problem little guy?

Seriously, you should consider seeking professional help. There are self help groups that are free as I realize you don't have anything to be able to take care of yourself and so you must rely on other people to pay taxes in which to support your existence. Be that as it may, it is available and you really should seek whatever help you can find.

Poor guy. This is my last reply to you until you can prove to me and others that you are at least trying to be a rational human being.

Ciao

Mr Vietnam  

So how is life in Vietnam ? must be pretty boring..

If you're ever productive enough to afford a ticket, then perhaps you can find out.

Mr Vietnam