Danger Imminent - US Embassy shutdown

[amateur51]

I'm with the conspiracy theorists. It's too neat altogether to be told that the surveillance regime brought the threat to light. The scare will be used as another stick to beat Snowden with.

And let's not forget Russia in time.

[scottycelt]

I'm with the conspiracy theorists. It's too neat altogether to be told that the surveillance regime brought the threat to light. The scare will be used as another stick to beat Snowden with.

It appears there are quite a few countries involved in this conspiracy including the Germans and French, not officially great fans of the US/UK 'surveillance regime'. No doubt they much prefer their own secret surveillance regimes.

That these countries would go to the time, effort and expense involved in closing all these embassies just to produce another stick with which to beat an already trapped young Snowden would certainly be a quite risible state of affairs, that's for sure.

[french frank]

With you on this one, scotty - and as for France, Spain, Portugal and Italy blocking their airspace to prevent Snowden, disguised as the Bolivian president, flying from Russia over their countries - even more risible.

[amateur51]

It appears there are quite a few countries involved in this conspiracy including the Germans and French, not officially great fans of the US/UK 'surveillance regime'. No doubt they much prefer their own secret surveillance regimes.

That these countries would go to the time, effort and expense involved in closing all these embassies just to produce another stick with which to beat an already trapped young Snowden would certainly be a quite risible state of affairs, that's for sure.

And if that were not the only reason?

[ahinton]

It appears there are quite a few countries involved in this conspiracy including the Germans and French, not officially great fans of the US/UK 'surveillance regime'. No doubt they much prefer their own secret surveillance regimes.

That these countries would go to the time, effort and expense involved in closing all these embassies just to produce another stick with which to beat an already trapped young Snowden would certainly be a quite risible state of affairs, that's for sure.

In itself, it surely would, but I don't think that anyone here really believe that this was the agenda or indeed any more than a mere en passant factor in it at most; however much of an inconvenient embarrassment Mr Snowden may be and will likely continue to be to the US authorities, the recent actions go far beyond any such question.

[amateur51]

"The US view of Yemen as an al-Qaida hotbed is a travesty of the truth

Yemen is a real place where people are demanding social justice and democracy. Their cause is only harmed by the US"


Interesting piece about Yemen & USA in today's Guardian by its former Middle East correspondent Brian Whitaker.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/07/us-attacks-yemen-al-qaida

And some more about Al Qaida's 'local franchises'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/05/yemen-al-qaida-franchise

[teamsaint]

No I don't as I am, thankfully, free of paranoia.

Well if we choose to believe those in power without question, whoever they may be, then we will get what we deserve.

being free of paranoia is one thing, being taken for a ride is another.

[ahinton]

Well if we choose to believe those in power without question, whoever they may be, then we will get what we deserve.

being free of paranoia is one thing, being taken for a ride is another.

Precisely!

[Resurrection Man]

Well if we choose to believe those in power without question, whoever they may be, then we will get what we deserve.

being free of paranoia is one thing, being taken for a ride is another.

Not an issue of believing those in power without question....more a case of commonsense and being a bit sensible about things.

[ahinton]

Not an issue of believing those in power without question....more a case of commonsense and being a bit sensible about things.

Ah, I see - but, good though it would be that you appear to consider this not to be "an issue of believing those in power without question", might you care in some detail to define "common sense" (a phrase that once attracted great questionability in the predecessor to this forum) and identify how in particular you would interpret the notion of "being a bit sensible" about whatever "things" you might have in mind here?

Thanks.

[Padraig]

if we choose to believe those in power without question, whoever they may be, then we will get what we deserve.

I sort of understand that, ts, but it's a counsel of despair, isn't it? Even without getting all religious, (God forbid!), there has to be faith in something. 'Those in power', to me, is a good starting point. Of course, you have to believe that the good guys, or, if you like, the less bad guys, are on the same side as yourself. I ask myself what side I want to be on in this world we live in, and I reckon that the USA represents the best solution to problems as I see them. Therefore, I more readily believe what those in power in America say than those who say otherwise.

I think it's easier for the Irish to admire America than for the English, and though I've never been there, I somehow identify with the sentiments expressed in traditional Irish music. I was listening to this today, quite by chance, and if you have time to listen, you might detect a feeling of reliance on the friendship of America, metaphorically and literally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD89a9xkMGk

[Richard Barrett]

more a case of commonsense

Indeed, but what's meant by "commonsense" is almost always coincident with the way "those in power" would like people to think, evolving as it does through a process by which ruling-class attitudes and interests are accepted by society at large (as Gramsci would have put it), which certainly seems to be illustrated in the way that some people accept such phenomena as the NSA's full-spectrum spying as some kind of "fact of life".

[Richard Barrett]

I more readily believe what those in power in America say than those who say otherwise

How many instances of "those in power in America" being caught lying would it take to change your mind?

[amateur51]

Indeed, but what's meant by "commonsense" is almost always coincident with the way "those in power" would like people to think, evolving as it does through a process by which ruling-class attitudes and interests are accepted by society at large (as Gramsci would have put it), which certainly seems to be illustrated in the way that some people accept such phenomena as the NSA's full-spectrum spying as some kind of "fact of life".

Aah Gramsci! - I've come over all nostalgic - in a good way.

[KipperKid]

Indeed, but what's meant by "commonsense" is almost always coincident with the way "those in power" would like people to think, evolving as it does through a process by which ruling-class attitudes and interests are accepted by society at large (as Gramsci would have put it)

Remind me, would he have said this when he was a fascist, or after?