9/11 - Never Forget

I don't want to turn this into a debate, but you are disrespecting the troops if you think "they" are making it worse over there.

Iraq is improving, a lot, and we'll stay there until they can stand on their own two feet.

The War in Iraq Costs the United States
$193,716,605,124 +

Instead:
-we could have fully funded global anti-hunger efforts for 8 years.
-we could have fully funded worldwide AIDS programs for 9 years.
-we could have ensured that every child in the world was given basic immunizations for 64 years.
-we could have provided 9,390,985 students four-year scholarships at public universities.

i think the money we've spent on war would have been better for those causes than getting barley anything acomplished in 4 years

these are some nice ideas and would be much better than a war in Iraq....however, just note a couple of things.....

1. to fully gund a global anti-hunger effort then the UN would have to send in armed troops to Africa to see that all the supplies get to those who need it....in many African countries, from what I've heard, seen and read, militia take control of a lot of the aid that comes in to these countries and the needy don't get it all....therefore, it would probably cost a lot more than that to do this for 8 years....money best spent over there would be on education and infrastructure....

the thing with a lot of these countries in Africa is that it is the natural cycle....when population increases too high, diseases (AIDs, The Plague, etc) kick in to try to curb these numbers....other population controls are war and basically people dying of hunger and famine....it's unfortunate, but they need birth control....if they can't feed them, don't make them....

2. I'm not sure if you are talking about funding the treatment of AIDS, the educating of the World population on AIDS, contraception, etc, or AIDS Research to find a cure....I know one thing though, pharmaceutical companies make a mint treating diseases such as AIDS and cancer, and stand to lose more if cures are found for diseases such as AIDS....it wouldn't surprise me if pharmaceutical companies fund these research campaigns and either close them down or buy them out so they keep results under check....similar to what oil companies do the world round....

3. can't argue with that, although stronger bugs will no doubt come out in the future....

4. depends where these scholarships are....if you are saying in the US, then I'd say no, although it's still better than war in Iraq....would be better to have scholarships for Middle Eastern and African scholars to hopefully have more educated minds in these respective countries....

okay, enough negative thought about these ideas, as it is positive that there are other options available....whilst most of these ideas would be a lot harder and a lot more costly than mentioned, it does shows that many countries can make a difference the world over if they chose to....however, like the US, Australia, NZ, and everywhere, for the most parts, everyone really just acts in their own self-interest, whether it is aligning one with someone else for future protection or to prevent a negative action, it is just the way it is....

enough babble, RIP the thousands who lost their lives on this tragic day and the hundreds of thousands who lose their lives in the future as a result of this tragic day's events

if anyone is still reading I'll be surprised, night

September 11, 2005 was the start of Family Guy Season 5...and man that episode was hilarious! Reagan SMASH! Reagan SMASH! Anyhow, regardless of how much they keep on talking about 9/11 and will never move on, it is a tragic event. Then again, do the japanese keep on saying "remember the bomb" and abuse it...well the politicians do anyhow. So bleah, it's only natural. The US will continue to victimize themselves forever using September 11th.

Anyhow...as if Iraq really was the best place to use all that money. A lot of the alternatives suggested might be impossible...BUT there would have been true progress in the world..However, no politician of any kind will ever use money for the greater good. What's with this weird preferrential treatment to Iraqis? Are they superior now or something? So as I understand it from Riot's argument, it's better to get an Iraqi vaccination and education instead of the rest of the world. Maybe since Iraq is US's colony I guess they are quasi-American.

I'm not saying that the Iraqis are more important than the Africans, all I'm saying is what you guys think sounds so easy really isn't that easy. Solving world hunger? That's fucking impossible. You give them food for a day then what do they do the next day? What do they do next week? You can't just keep feeding them.

You know what? I wish they did find a cure for AIDs but I don't think they ever will and I think it's personally a waste of money. You don't want AIDs? Don't have unprotected sex with a whore. AIDs is (for the most part) a preventable disease, tyranny isn't preventable. Those Iraqi's didn't have a voice or a choice.

Bitch about Africa and world hunger to your local government, atleast America is doing SOMETHING to try and help the middle east. And no, Saddam isn't the leader of the middle east but Iraq has a big impact on the middle east. Does Saddam fund terrorists? We don't know. I never said he was linked to 9/11 though, although he does allow terrorist camps to train inside of his borders without any kind of punishment. That's a no-no.

Bottom line: I don't care if you don't like the war but saying things like that money could have gone to better things is stupid. America has always been about believing everyone should live in a democracy. Democracy is important to the American people and anytime we have the chance to spread democracy we take it. If you don't like it, then simply disagree. But I find it noble and I'm all for helping Africa but after 9/11 it wouldn't make sense to the American people to start fighting a war and spending billions on Africa when the middle east is where most of the terrorist camps and recruitment goes on.

Anyways, I respect your opinions but I just flat out disagree with them. I know you guys do too, but if we are going to have a debate we should try to do is civilized. I realize everything we have a debate on here it's practically me vs. everyone and I get ganged up on. Let's keep it PG-13, even though I don't want to get into another debate in the first place. This was suppose to be a 9/11 rememberence thread.

Also, you know what? I bet when Dec 26th (I think it was the 26th or 24th) comes around I'm sure there will be a tsnuami thread too. That doesn't mean you have to bash that thread because "it's over" and we should "move on with our lives". Especially when it comes to 9/11. Get over it? We have troops in the middle east dying because of what happened on 9/11. You don't just get over it. And yes, if my father died in the WTC, you can be sure I'd want that footage in everyone's mind. People who think the War on Terror is stupid need a reality check.

But when it comes to remembering it or commemorating it, those of us living outside the US are almost in a no-win situation. When we offer our thoughts, perspectives, condolences and prayers, it seems often they're slapped away with a haughty "You're not American!" remark. Yet we'd be scolded for indifference as well. No matter what our stance, some Americans seem to see it as inappropriate.

Have you really seen that often? I know ignorance happens, but I didn't know it was very routinely at all. Obviously I think it is moronic to give a cold shoulder to any condolences from other people about 9/11. I guess it just comes down to the fact that every country is sometimes based on it's weaknesses (and I'm saying that without acting like America is the victim).

I don't like people who think it's stupid to remember that day like it's a crime. People who think we should forget and "move on". We can move on without forgetting.

But when it comes to remembering it or commemorating it, those of us living outside the US are almost in a no-win situation. When we offer our thoughts, perspectives, condolences and prayers, it seems often they're slapped away with a haughty "You're not American!" remark. Yet we'd be scolded for indifference as well. No matter what our stance, some Americans seem to see it as inappropriate.

Have you really seen that often? I know ignorance happens, but I didn't know it was very routinely at all. Obviously I think it is moronic to give a cold shoulder to any condolences from other people about 9/11. I guess it just comes down to the fact that every country is sometimes based on it's weaknesses (and I'm saying that without acting like America is the victim).

More so when the event was much fresher in our minds. There was a HUGE blowup about it in the old forum that stemmed from that kind of attitude. I highly doubt it's the point of view most Americans hold but it is something I've encountered.