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America: Best case scenario

16:46 / 16.02.03

Inspired by Jack Fear's Iraq thread...I thought it might be nice to ask the next question. What should America be doing, in your opinion? What is a realistic best-case scenario for their foreign policy?

I'm a supporter of the "moral imperative", but I believe that it's got to be something that promotes global integration in governing philosophy, not conflict. That is: I think America's best case is to pull back, realize that their administration is seriously alienating the government and peoples of their free allies around the world, and reconsider their methods. I think in the best case, they would appeal to the UN with an official apology and make a strong statement of intent to lend support and strength to the UN in the future, instead of attempting to direct it. I imagine a UN that is emboldened by this statement of support, becoming more active and direct in their attempts to expose and end human rights abuses in nations around the world - so that America, in turn, isn't tempted to handle what they see as problems alone.

Does this make sense? What else is open to America? A return to isolationism? Total collapse? What do you think would be the best case, all around?

Phex: Dorset Doom

18:02 / 16.02.03

The first and probably easiest thing to do for America right now would be to broker the deal for a Palestinian state. This would be the P.R coup needed to persuade the Arab world that the U.S isn't out to destroy Islam, it'd be cost-free and afterwards what would Al-Queda have to fight against? Britney Spears not wearing a burqka? Of course, a reinvigorated and truly internationalised U.N would have a major part to play in this.
But... there's what America SHOULD do and what America WILL do. There seems to be no rational explanation for America's attitude towards Palestine except a self-destructive death drive or the 'Zionist Conspiracy' that the Muslim/Christian ultra-right believe in.
Back home, America could utilise cleaner fuels, finally giving a patent to 'unworkable and dangerous' Fusion reactors and making a move towards total adoption of the electric car by 2020. It can stop giving drugs to it's kids, reduce corporate subisdies so the big corps it holds up as a sign of it's power can stand on their own. It can legalise marijuana. It can introduce a 'none-of-the-above' box on voting forms so voters who don't believe the rhetoric of the two parties can express their views without being labelled undemocratic.
It should...
But it won't. If America starts giving away it's massive, unchecked power, over the U.N or over it's citizens, then the international community nad its' own citizens will get a taste of freedom and prosperity and want more. A return to isolationism is also out of the question; America retains a lot of it's clout (over itself and others) but portraying itself as the leader of the free world. That's why planes aren't hitting Norwegian skyscrapers.
Total collapse, now there's a thought....

21:46 / 16.02.03

America is hell-bent on war and grand schemes with madmen at the helm. They can not do anything but what they are fated to do, fated by their extreme right wing approach, fundamental christianity, Likudik influence, and primitive president. What would be best is a series of devastating catastrophes to befall America in this adventure as a lesson to all the world about how not to be. America cannot help itself, being on an ill fated juggernaut that must play out hopefuly with an exceedingly painfull rebuke of biblical proportions that serves as a lesson to all humanity to set out on a better path. I say this because if this method is perceived as being successful then we are in for alot more evil after these shenanigans, so it's best to hope this type of behavior is nipped in the bud before a branch needs to be pruned, or the tree needs felling.

02:09 / 17.02.03

I find it hard to believe that America's best case scenario is destruction as an example to other nations. We are talking about millions of lives here, after all...not just an abstract concept.

12:01 / 17.02.03

Please note: THIS IS A THREAD FOR LIGHTING CANDLES, NOT FOR CURSING THE DARKNESS.

Do not bring your evil here.

12:02 / 17.02.03

America and its people don't deserve destruction. It's only a very small minority that's running the show. I think best realistic case would be a more cooperative USA, working with the UN, not throwing a fit when they don't vote their way, paying their UN dues, etc.

Ideal and unrealistic would be the US brokering peace in Israel/Palestine, ending the embargo on Cuba, leaving Central and South America alone, and helping the famine in Africa.

17:21 / 17.02.03

Well, the problem is that the US has settled on Iraq as a target, isn't it.

If it was North Korea, (not that this is "best case," but still) there'd be a chance of fomenting rebellion using disenfranchised citizens and nervous South Koreans as proxies.

But I don't think the US is about to make any overtures to Iran, who'd be the logical choice for that sort of indirect war/rebellion thing in Iraq. Since Iran is also on that famous axis.

I consult the crystal ball.

Best case (probable): US waits for UN backing, acts as part of a much larger coalition, does a little bombing, marches on Baghdad, one month later sets up a UN military governor who rules until first free elections in, oh, four years or so.

Best case (miraculous): Saddam blinks, flees into exile in the middle of the night without a single shot fired. Stretches of northern Iraq are formed into Kurdistan, a homeland for the Kurds (who don't do so well in Iran or Turkey either, you know), while parts of western Iraq are used in a land-swap deal with Jordan to create a larger homeland for the Palestinians. (Like the Palestinians want to move over the river, but still....) The Iraqi people form their own government on a new model, somewhere between the everybody-rules, everybody-serves system of direct democracy and the hands-off Council of Elders motif of libertarian anarcho-syndicalism. Bolstered by immense oil wealth, the system becomes a beacon of hope for all freedom-loving people everywhere, and easily survives the transition to a non-petroleum-based world economy.

17:30 / 17.02.03

It just occurred to me that those were about Iraq, not America.

Both do have a *big step backward* in common, though, as far as the US is concerned overseas.

So, best case: not quite isolationism, but almost. Start worrying about the causes of terrorism rather than the means of terrorism. Start building bridges and digging wells in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt etc. Be *really friendly*.

18:31 / 17.02.03

I think the best case isn't Hussein fleeing, but suddenly having a very painful heart attack, or hitting a tree in his jeep. The golden rule/'being friendly' seems to be lost right now. e.g. Europe is opposed to USA, so USA calls them names... hmm... I wonder why they still don't like us?

21:55 / 17.02.03

(As an American)

Best Case Scenario:
1) Dick Cheney has another heart attack.
2) Jr. caves in to public opinion and backs down from imperialist dream of taking over the oil world.
3) Democrats actually find a spine, reread the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and decide that they don't need to take all that corporate money.
4) Major Campaign Finance Reform.
5) In 2004 Americans elect a third-party candidate on the basis of their experience, integrity, and history of service, not on how well they talk or how handsome they are or how much they spent on their campaign.
6) The major news networks experience massive drops in ratings and are put on the market by their corporate owners. They are purchased by new money liberal patriots who understand that news is about journalism, not ratings.
7) The new administration enacts strict laws against corporate welfare, major corporate accountability laws, and historic environmental regulations.
8) The defense industry is defunded to an effective standing army, 90% of nukes are dismantled, and the huge budget surplus redistributed into education, medicare, and conservation.
9) Flying Pigs replace the airline industry as the primary form of international travel.