tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3008275388825682841.post5777463439878946904..comments2024-03-12T03:32:18.680-05:00Comments on The Mean Old Investor: Obama's Budget & Islamic RevolutionsMr. Kowalskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07899577790533734474noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3008275388825682841.post-13531736748730041782011-02-15T18:44:04.583-06:002011-02-15T18:44:04.583-06:00Anon: I don't underestimate the power of relig...Anon: I don't underestimate the power of religion.. and you're right.. Egypt and a whole slew of Middle East nations might well become some Taliban paradise of martyrdom, jihad and hunger. It's my guess that this will not happen in either Egypt or Tunisia.. the young people (who represent a huge percentage of the population) are more interested in getting cool townhouses than jihad. Both Egypt and Tunisia have large, educated middle classes, and the Army seems to be run by professional soldiers. Yemen, however, is another story altogether. I calls 'em likes I see 'em..Mr. Kowalskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07899577790533734474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3008275388825682841.post-66367154985877431642011-02-15T08:14:27.756-06:002011-02-15T08:14:27.756-06:00with all due respect, while I agree with much of y...with all due respect, while I agree with much of your postings it is never wise to underestimate the power of religion over people. This 'war' has gone on for over 2,000 years. It is a bit naive to think that people in the Middle East will be different than those elsewhere. Liberty and justice are nice but a full belly with the promise of 'eternity' often weighs in by placing unseen stones on Ms. Justice. After all, we see that here with our 'too big too fail' banks and Mr. Market.<br /><br />The problem is that America never takes a LONG view but always the 'short' one. We have no stomach for war...at least, not if you look at our history. Even in WWII we were 'forced' into it. Since then we haven't fought a 'winning' war (although I would be remiss in not stating that the very idea of a WIN combined with the word war is somewhat of an oxymoron.<br /><br />What the modern world has done is move every issue to 'gray' rather than white or black--all the while ignoring that some issues cannot be painted over. We have dismissed evil and honor and settle for the utopian idea that we will all get along and prosper equally. Even the old Star Trek Federation had to learn that the same battle was fought time and again for utopia doesn't exist.<br /><br />As technology advances we will become less social. Whether that will influence our world for the better remains to be seen. One thing is assured, however, our resources will eventually run out, leaving us back at square one of how to square survival WITH ethics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com