Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pur-ee.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!ecn-ee!kechkayl From: kechkayl@ecn-ee.UUCP Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Dr. Spock the Diplomat - (nf) Message-ID: <1590@pur-ee.UUCP> Date: Tue, 14-Feb-84 21:19:19 EST Article-I.D.: pur-ee.1590 Posted: Tue Feb 14 21:19:19 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 17-Feb-84 03:33:20 EST Sender: notes@pur-ee.UUCP Organization: Electrical Engineering Department , Purdue University Lines: 65 #R:cwruecmp:-99600:ecn-ee:13400005:000:3120 ecn-ee!kechkayl Feb 14 13:30:00 1984 First, the permanent damage I was talking about was the destruction of topsoils, and the fact that we may ourselves need those reserves. Sorry, but if it comes down to a choice between starving or having someone else starve, I will (callously, if you will) let them starve. Self preservation is a part of most everyone. I tend to want the US's role in the world to be somewhat parental, nurturing underdeveloped "child" nations until they can support themselves, and then letting them go do whatever they want. It is important to make sure that these nations become self-sufficient before putting them out on their own, and that they don't get obnoxious and arrogant and bother their neighbors. We should also break up petty fights between "children," offering cooperation as a solution. This is all taught on Sesame Street, but few adults practice it. Well, with the availability of nukes, I don't want to go breaking up TOO many "petty fights between children". More than likely, we would wake up one day to find out that Washington had just been destroyed! If we don't responsibly help those in our care, they turn to other "adults" for help, like the USSR, who is more than happy to "take care of them", but for different reasons. Beating a misbehaving child, like Nicaragua, is not good for you or the child. It only makes her run to an apparently more understanding authority. A MISBEHAVING CHILD???!?!? Right. A misbehaving child with guns, and tanks, and planes, and etc . . . I do NOT advocate running around being holier-than-thou to nations that DO NOT want our help. But if we gain the reputation as an authoritative power, they'll come to us if they need us. This would strengthen our influence in the world, and would help us become the Salvadors del Mundo we are always claiming to be. This discussion of underdeveloped countries as "our children" may seem to smell of a nationalistic superiority complex. This is not intended, because good parents treat their children as equals, keeping in mind the facts. Good parents don't refuse to learn from their children, either. "Good parents TREAT their children as equals, keeping in mind the facts." What facts are those? Those implied facts are that the parents are BETTER than the children, and so they can patronize them with impunity! Just what are you avdocating with your BIG DADDY policy?? "No, Jimmy mustn't nuke his neighbors, that wouldn't be nice!" That we set ourselves up as the best and most intelligent nation in the world, well qualified to run their affairs? "But if we gain the reputation as an authoritative power, they'll come to us if they need us." Surrre . . . I we tell them that "We're much better than you, so if you see the errors of your ways, we'll help you" they'll come to us with open arms? Frankly, I do think calling other nations "Our Children" does smell, whether or not it is intended. Sorry, but if you're so superior, why aren't YOU President??????? Thomas Ruschak ecn-ee!kechkayl "Aiee! A toy robot!"