Should you be worried..................I would be

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by slice of heaven

What's the problem with that document ?

I didn't see one mention of world, or should I say Space domination.
Where does it say that?
They want to maintain their right to peacefully and without disruption explore and further develop space using commercial,private and govt resources.
They have the right to defend their assets on Earth or in space from attack.

I don't see a problem with any of the document, .

at last a sensible statement

to our US friend, your not the problem, the document is. But that's just my viewpoint and each person has their own informed opinions. Sorry but there was a spoof movie out recently that had characters similar to the thunderbirds that had thing on osama and the US being the world police. very funny but unfortunately very true in meaning too We have followed suit. anyway mods if this thread get heated or off the track lock it

[Dennis]

The only problem I find with this, and similar documents, be they American, Australian, Chinese, European or Russian, is that the benefits promised by the lofty principles have not yet been realised right here, on planet Earth, by any Nation. What chance have we in space?

Regards

Dennis

[Blue Fire]

Originally Posted by Dennis

I suggest that this is not a realistic statement - just look at Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, or indeed any country that has been invaded. People do not take kindly to being controlled by any foreign entity. Therefore, these statements are often seen as somewhat arrogant, bullying and inflammatory. Unfortunately, to those who live outside the US, statements like this contribute to the perception that the US is more of a bully than a global peacekeeper.

Regards

Dennis

It is a Very realistic statement! History is not comprised of just the last 10, 20, or 50 years. The U.S. didn't take over Japan, Germany, Russia, or any number of other countries that it had the opportunity to. Instead, it spent billions of dollars helping them rebuild - I don't believe the U.S. has ever been repaid even a penny by any of them! Is it Your perception that the U.S. is a bully? Do perceptions equal truth? Do you really think that the U.S. will conquer and control Afganistan permanently in the end. How about Iraq? Do you really think Saddam should have stayed in power?

Again, I'm not in favor of all my country's policies. But you know what? I once got tired of being slapped around when I was a skinny kid of 11 years by a bully. I took him on finally and won. From then on I refused to let unjustices go by the wayside. There's a certain mindset you get when just when you think you are secure, somebody flies airplanes into buildings with devasting results. From then on, you just don't want to tolerate anybody that even seems like a threat.

Man, I really hate to bother defending my country. But maybe I shouldn't care so much. On the other hand, I wonder if Australia was being criticized harshly in another forum - how would you react? In the end though, there seems to be much hypocrisy whenever a natural disaster happens in another country - The U.S. is well known for running to people's aid when this happens. I just think that folks have a skewed perspective about the whole of things. And notice that I am not criticizing Australia - I refuse to do so. I respect the Australian forum I am on. Is this matter really that important to Australians? I was once welcomed here on this forum, and assume that I still am. But, Gosh, one document folks, with language you don't agree with. Fine, but going off the deep end and concluding that the U.S. is engaged in some evil design to control all of space at the expense of the rest of the world is just ludicrous! And a waste of time, I guess - so I'll just let it go here and now. Can you?

[acropolite (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Blue Fire

Man, I really hate to bother defending my country

I don't believe there is any need to defend your country. Australians have a habit of questioning governments, particularly the current US and Australian administrations. That doesn't mean we dislike your country, or it's people. 9/11 and in our case the bali bombings are the result of many complex factors, government policies including greed, corruption, fanaticism and just plain stupidity. IMO it pays to have a healthy scepticism when it comes to our Governments, their actions and policies aren't always in our best interest. So the moral is, don't be offended, simply examine the facts presented and make your own conclusions.
Please keep the debate civil or we will have to close the thread.

[Dennis]

Hello Blue Star

I am not criticisng America - I am questioning the validity of your statement about "taking over". Americans would not tolerate being "taken over" so why should anyone else?

I respect your patriotism and your right to defend your country. However, I still believe that it was an unrealistic statement to make, that any one country could "take over" large parts of the world. And yes, such statements from citizens of a country do unfortunately have the consequence of making that country look like a bully. Is the statement that dissimilar from the verbal acts you may have been subjected to, from the person who once bullied you? However, good on you for standing up to them.

I also understand that when Country, Family, football team, etc are being questioned, that people leap to their defence and discussion can get heated, so we need to be careful. I have tried to exercise that care and it appears that I have failed and for this I aoplogise.

I hope you continue to feel welcome here for nothing you have said has made you unwelcome in my book.

Regards

Dennis

[nightsky]

G'Day, IMHO what the Yanks have been doing since 1946 is what the British,France etc: done with gun boats (taking over countries) the yanks are doing it with money, also don't ever forget 1975 here in OZ.

[Blue Fire]

Originally Posted by Dennis

<snip>
I hope you continue to feel welcome here for nothing you have said has made you unwelcome in my book.

Regards

Dennis

Thanks,... Cheers!

[h0ughy (David)]

OK I think a fair point has been made by everyone concerned. Lets all sit on the naughty chair and get back to our part of the cosmos, and explore it for free...................

[slice of heaven]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

at last a sensible statement

Seems like I was the only one that read it in it's true context.

It's a US National directive. It refers to the US space program only. If you (country, commercial enterprise or private sector) want to use US facilities and programs you abide by their regulations.
I'll ask again where's the problem there?
Where does it mention they will be the total dominators of space
Unless your someone with less than peacefull intentions, then you might have some concern with that directive.

To Blue Fire

Australians have a habit

of cutting down tall poppies, the US it appears is always seen to be the tallest.

[iceman (Mike)]

This thread has gone on long enough - everyone has had their say and as always, people can easily get offended by something read out of context, misinterpreted, or use threads like this to simply take pot shots at an easy target.

We respect our American friends on this forum, as well as those from every other part of the world.