E:
<< As Jeremy aptly notes, "America must wake from its isolationism and it's
constant pursuit of personal gain."
R:
So we were bombed for leaving other countries to themselves? We were bombed
for the crime of taking care of ourselves and our families? For pursuit of
happiness?
E:
Indeed, 20% of our population controls
about 85% of the wealth in this nation, the top 1% owns 40%. The income
disparity has continued to climb.
R:
And the correct number that you, and only you, in your divine wisdom knows is
_____ (complete the sentence). You do realize that income taxes are pretty
much paid in proportion to this too, right? That 35 to 40% of Americans pay
ZERO tax and live off the above wealthy scum?
E:
At nearly 300 million in population we
account for 5% of the world population of 6 billion, but use nearly 25% or
the world's energy supplies.
R:
And you would cap us at what level? You do realize we produce and/or BUY
that energy, right?
E:
Not surprisingly, this corresponds to our
accounting for roughly 25% of global emissions (and our pulling away from
the Kyoto accords doesn't, in my opinion, help our image).
R:
No argument with me on the importance of reducing pollution and protecting
Nonrenewable resources, but the Kyoto accords were a joke. We can do better.
E:
>From a world
perspective, 500 of the largest industrial corporations control 25% of the
world's economic output but employ only one twentieth of one percent of the
world's population.
R:
So we deserve medals for producing most of the economic value with such a
small amount of effort. Please send one to me, as I am an influential
executive at one of the larger corporations on the above list.
E:
>From an environmental perspective, beyond the classic
problems of poverty and warfare, we have begun to face limitations in the
earth's resources. We are currently degrading our environment and taxing our
resources at a rate faster than the earth can replenish itself.
R:
Agree with this as a problem, but wasn't aware it was the cause of the
terrorism. Are you suggesting Bin Laden shares your views, or that those
that do share your views are equally "justified" to snuff out peaceful
people? Not sure of your point here.
E:
Perhaps the MOQ would suggest that there are better moral alternatives to
the activities that promote inordinate disparities in resource use, wealth
and income. The reason; these huge disparities can needlessly cause
incredible individual and social disruption. It is not to say that the
disparities are problematic, but it is when the disparities are inordinate
that they necessarily will disrupt social activities. They are not necessary
to the pursuit of freedom. Sounds more like biological patterns of greed; a
far cry from a pursuit of greater dynamic quality.
R:
We are a very wealthy people that have learned to very easily produce amazing
amounts of wealth due to our values of allowing people to have the freedom
and creativity to pursue their own interests AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HURT
OTHERS. Your solution is to ignore those countries that have failed to
discover these social patterns, and instead blame the one that has? "Lets
solve equality by taking down the successful." Sorry, Ed, it has been tried
and found wanting.
E:
I am not condoning or justifying the terrorist activities in any way. I am
simply setting forth some likely reasons for the intense anger against
America.
R:
Sounds like you are gloating. You should be ashamed.
Rog
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