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Yesterday at dinner my dad asked me what constitues a Second World, or even First World country, since it's common knowledge what a Third World country is. I couldn't answer the question because while I remember having read something about that at some point, I can't remember the details at all. But anyway, my dad put forward his theory, which was just ridiculous. He was thinking that maybe First World countries were the European ones (uh, no, that's "Old World," completely different way of dividing the world), Second World are the U.S., Canada, and such like (um, New World, other division), and that Third World countries are Africa, Middle East, etc. The cradles of civilization, the areas that played host to the origins of humans are relegated to the lowest status. Was there ever a more Eurocentric view of the world?
Then later the conversation turned to how Syria is being menaced, and my dad saying something about how they'll be easy to conquer. And my mom made some comment about how after that, they'll go after more countries, like France. Well, she was on the right track. Yes, if we attack Syria too, there will be more targets after that. But not France. Even if they were opposed the Iraq war, they are a European country, not part of the Middle East.
Because that's what it's about kiddies, the Middle East. That's how the War on Terrorism works. Where are the terrorists? In the Middle East. So what are we going to do about it? Take over all the places they might be hiding, make everyone love us, then label everyone who doesn't love us a terrorist and deal with them accordingly. Meanwhile, at home, the strategy requires tightening up "homeland security," eroding civil rights, and cracking down on dissidents so that when the exchange of liberty for security is complete, the methods we use for dealing with terrorists (both real and imagined) will be par for the course in the "new, improved" democracy.
Yes Viginia, there is such a thing as an evil steward, and he's in the White House. Better vote him out while the voting's good.
Then later the conversation turned to how Syria is being menaced, and my dad saying something about how they'll be easy to conquer. And my mom made some comment about how after that, they'll go after more countries, like France. Well, she was on the right track. Yes, if we attack Syria too, there will be more targets after that. But not France. Even if they were opposed the Iraq war, they are a European country, not part of the Middle East.
Because that's what it's about kiddies, the Middle East. That's how the War on Terrorism works. Where are the terrorists? In the Middle East. So what are we going to do about it? Take over all the places they might be hiding, make everyone love us, then label everyone who doesn't love us a terrorist and deal with them accordingly. Meanwhile, at home, the strategy requires tightening up "homeland security," eroding civil rights, and cracking down on dissidents so that when the exchange of liberty for security is complete, the methods we use for dealing with terrorists (both real and imagined) will be par for the course in the "new, improved" democracy.
Yes Viginia, there is such a thing as an evil steward, and he's in the White House. Better vote him out while the voting's good.
