Comments on: Consensus and Tolerance /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/ Politics + Technology = Nonsense at the Speed of Light Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:05:10 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.22 By: flippityflopitty /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-151 Wed, 03 May 2006 14:55:00 +0000 /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-151 In Bolivia, the marxism is a response to corruption of the democratic process. And its truly totalitarian because the “marxist” leader is a coca farmer – he clearly has questionable motives.

The point being capitalism, democracy and potential exports dont equate to success. The 3rd world has numerous examples of povery amidst resource riches. Corruption, regardless of govt type or relationship to the US, always seems to dictate the conditions. Totalitarianism is one response to corruption (sometimes even having a positive change).

The point being that while we are transfixed on jihad, our influence in the world wanes. Iraq has created a condition where at best we can tread water elsewhere. Clearly, China has made significant economic strides and wields political influence that is going to secure their energy needs to maintain growth. Gunboat diplomacy is working against us and foreign govts are moving away from us (ie south america). This does not mean we change directions in iraq, afghan or WOT campaigns, but we need to begin to address the other issues thru diplomacy without threats (go back to the carrot and stick). Domestically, we need some real leadership to redirect the nation away from oil – “we are addicted to oil” – when you have an addiction you dont increase the supply and lower the cost, you decrease the supply and raise the cost (to wean off if you cant go cold turkey).

I dont think the leadership is there now, and i dont see anyone rising among the ranks. Its time for new blood.

]]> By: Tanstaafl /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-149 Wed, 03 May 2006 08:52:00 +0000 /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-149 In Sudan it’s Islamism, in Bolivia Marxism. Both are totalitarian and produce similar results.

]]> By: flippityflopitty /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-145 Tue, 02 May 2006 17:18:00 +0000 /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-145 Bolivia

458 million barrels of oil
6.7 billion cubic meters of gas
2.9 billion cubic meters of gas exports (2001)

and

“…long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries,”

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bl.html

Not trying to be a jihadi-sympathizer, but I think there may be a bigger picture to 3rd world economic problems.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/18/AR2005121800329.html

What a difference democracy makes?

]]> By: Tanstaafl /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-142 Tue, 02 May 2006 04:23:00 +0000 /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-142 “Sudan has proven reserves of some 563 million barrels of oil, with the potential for far more in regions of the country made inaccessible by conflict. Sudan is one of the world’s poorest countries.”

What a difference jihad makes.

]]> By: flippityflopitty /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-140 Tue, 02 May 2006 02:43:00 +0000 /2006/04/29/consensus-and-tolerance/#comment-140 As long as the US engages in gunboat diplomacy, China can plan to make big oil contracts and arms sales for years to come. Wahoo! Go Red Tide!

http://www.cfr.org/publication/9557/

Lets make sure when we send peacekeepers to Darfur the Chinese oppose it. Nothing like keeping perspective.

Forget the Spanglish lessons – time to work on the Mandarin.

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