Libya.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1299193612' post='2217636']
Well, they could definitely try something new. If it worked for them, it might even have a high level of domestic legitimacy. But considering the fact that the U.S. has a pretty firm idea of what makes a government "legitimate," so we might not like it or recognize it.
[/quote]
The USA does not need to be the centre of the world.

[kujo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1299194675' post='2217645']
The USA does not need to be the centre of the world.
[/quote]

It doesn't [i]have[/i] to be.

But it is.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1299199078' post='2217662']
It doesn't [i]have[/i] to be.

But it is.
[/quote]
There are some aspects that make America truly exceptionable, especially technological innovation and an historical respect for property rights, but the world evolves, in some senses devolves, and I don't believe for a second that America will be able to maintain its 'collective' sense of exceptionalism forever.

[kujo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1299199258' post='2217665']
There are some aspects that make America truly exceptionable, especially technological innovation and an historical respect for property rights, but the world evolves, in some senses devolves, and I don't believe for a second that America will be able to maintain its 'collective' sense of exceptionalism forever.
[/quote]

The U.S. is only "exceptional" in the sense that it is preeminent. Our power, our economy, our ideology all extend through all the reaches of the world. As any of that erodes or disappears, naturally our place in the world comes into question.

And in case you haven't noticed, technology comes from Japan nowadays.

You don't hear heads of state in other countries talk about how "exceptional" America is. That's just a self-aggrandizing phrase we use to pat ourselves on the back.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1299199652' post='2217668']
The U.S. is only "exceptional" in the sense that it is preeminent. Our power, our economy, our ideology all extend through all the reaches of the world. As any of that erodes or disappears, naturally our place in the world comes into question.

And in case you haven't noticed, technology comes from Japan nowadays.

You don't hear heads of state in other countries talk about how "exceptional" America is. That's just a self-aggrandizing phrase we use to pat ourselves on the back.
[/quote]
Well I mean "American exceptionalism" in the sense that some people seem to want to export every aspect of America to non-Americans. The assumption is that if it's different, then it's worse.
Innovation is coming from Asia now, but in the 'gool ol' days', Americans had a ton going for themselves in terms of inventions, etc.. Anyway, different world now, different times.

[kujo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1299201765' post='2217680']
Well I mean "American exceptionalism" in the sense that some people seem to want to export every aspect of America to non-Americans. The assumption is that if it's different, then it's worse.
[/quote]

That's called neoimperialism

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='kujo' timestamp='1299208488' post='2217699']
That's called neoimperialism
[/quote]
Right!
I hate it. Imperialism was cr[u][/u]ap before, and it's c[s][/s]rap now.

[kujo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1299208613' post='2217700']
Right!
I hate it. Imperialism was cr[u][/u]ap before, and it's c[s][/s]rap now.
[/quote]

No arguments here!

[kujo]

Here's a question:

Should Gaddafi continue to order his air force to attack civilians and protesters, would the international community--probably led by the U.S.-- be right in ordering some sort of military intervention, possibly in the form of a "no-fly zone" being placed over the airspace of the country? Remember, any such act would necessitate the sabotage and destruction of their anti-aircraft systems as well as increase the likelihood of a conflict between the air force and the international force.

[CatherineM]

If the US does it, it has to be with the request of the UN or the neighboring countries.

[4588686]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1299382556' post='2218438']
If the US does it, it has to be with the request of the UN or the neighboring countries.
[/quote]



And the UN Security Council will not assent because of Russia and China. NATO won't go in without a mandate from the UN. Even if it were willing to go in without to UN's approval I doubt all of the 20+ in NATO would agree.

So the bloodshed will continue for at least another few weeks when America's neglegable Naval presence in the region would be more than sufficient to lay waste to Gadhafi's fourth rate mercinary force.

Kind of like Bosnia.


BUT FOR REALZ! NEVER, NEVER AGAIN!
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I---------------------->Yeah, right.