Re: [OT] The record industry, RIAA and US law

[Joe Hart <j.hart@orange.nl>]

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Celejar wrote:
> On Fri, 11 May 2007 18:42:26 +0200
> Joe Hart <j.hart@orange.nl> wrote:
> 
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>> Celejar wrote:
>> [snip]
>>>> Yes, I consider the USA my country too.  I have dual nationality, so I
>>>> am American and Dutch.  I see the pros and cons of both systems of
>>>> government, and I have no real preference to one over the other.  But
>>>> the media issue is a strong point for the Dutch.
>>> But as I asked you in another post, what does that have to do with
>>> systems of government?
> 
> [snipped Joe's political views]
> 
> I have no problem with your views, but you apparently misunderstood my
> question. I meant "How do your alleged differences in media relate to
> systems of government?"?

The point is in the pressure applied by lobbyists is well received in
the American system.  SIG's are quite alive and active.  The same is
true in other countries, but overall the Netherlands is much less
influenced by the interest of special groups (like the RIAA)
> 
>>>> As for the foreign policy, the countries are actually similar, but the
>>>> one big difference is that The Netherlands is not actively forcing
>>>> democracy on other countries (although they do participate in Bosnia and
>>>> in Afghanistan).
>>> Of course. The question is, though, which way is better? Should we not
>>> invade the Sudan to save innocent lives, because that would be forcing
>>> our liberal notions of decency on the savages there? 
>>>
>> The only time the United States gets involved is when it is in their
>> interests to do so.  Why didn't anything happen in Rwanda?
> 
> Rwanda is unquestionably a stain on our (and everyone else's) record.
> 
>  
>> Sudan is different because it is Islamic fundamentalist that are doing
>> much of the fighting, and we know that in today's war on terror, Islamic
>> Fundamentalist are being targeted.
> 
> You're not addressing the question I'm posing: should we intervene in
> the Sudan to save innocent lives, or would you object to that as
> "forcing democracy on other countries"?

I am torn when it comes to the Sudan issue.  While I agree that
something needs to be done to save the innocent people, I don't think a
military action would be the right solution.  It would be very similar
to what happened in Somalia, and that was quite a disgrace.  I am afraid
that Africa on a general scale is a very difficult situation.

> 
> 
>> What I would like to know is why the United States backs Israel in what
>> could be considered inhumane treatment of people under it's control
>> (illegally for the last 39 years).
> 
> If you refer to our general support of Israel, that's simply explained;
> Israel, for any faults it may have, is a friendly, democratic ally, the
> only one in the region, and it's surrounded by vicious, savage,
> murderous and sometimes lunatic neighbors. If you're referring to
> support of specific aspects of Israeli policy that you consider
> "inhumane treatment of people under it's control", please be more
> specific. Incidentally, I believe that the charge of illegality is
> debatable.

Well, the Israelis certainly would think it debatable, but even the UN
declared Israels capture of the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip an
illegal action, and issued a mandate for their withdrawal.

I don't argue that Israel is in the middle of a hotbed.  I also don't
argue that they have the right to protect themselves.  What I do argue
with is the heavy hand they use in doing so.

I also don't think a suicide bomber blowing up a restaurant in a crowded
market place is right.  I can understand that the Palestinians can only
mount so much of an attack, but attacking innocent citizens is not any
way to gain sympathy for their cause.

Joe
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