In a New Age of Empire, Great Powers Aim to Carve Up the Planet

[steross]

This essay is from January, but we are seeing what it says playing out.

We have all lived our lives in a world based on the idea of the sovereignty of nations, avoiding war except when felt to me necessary, and an attempt at the body of nations working toward mutual goals.

This era appears to be ending.

https://www.wsj.com/world/in-a-new-age-of-empire-great-powers-aim-to-carve-up-the-planet-fef072f7?st=R81KTU&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

[Rob B.]

This essay is from January, but we are seeing what it says playing out.

We have all lived our lives in a world based on the idea of the sovereignty of nations, avoiding war except when felt to me necessary, and an attempt at the body of nations working toward mutual goals.

This era appears to be ending.

https://www.wsj.com/world/in-a-new-age-of-empire-great-powers-aim-to-carve-up-the-planet-fef072f7?st=R81KTU&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Good read. A lot of people believed Vietnam wasn't necessary though.

 

[steross]

Good read. A lot of people believed Vietnam wasn't necessary though.

And Iraq. It did seem there was more of an attempt to explain why those had to happen when they did but maybe I'm biased.

 

[osuwhit]

There hasn't been necessary war in decades.

 

[Stillwater Townie]

There hasn't been necessary war in decades.

True, but one war that was sure necessary but was never allowed to happen and that was to take over Cuba soon after it became apparent that Castro was getting friendly with Khrushchev. That was the low point of the Kennedy presidency, later changing over to a memorable high point by him peacefully settling the Cuban Missile Crisis. But later on, it looked strange how there was such intense fighting against communism going on 10,000 miles away in Vietnam, while communism was allowed to rule, along with Russian spying, just 90 miles from our shores. Perhaps a provision in the settlement of the Cuban Missile Crisis explains why. Anyway, decades of sanctions against Cuba did not make it revolt against communism and today figures in the situation over Venezuela and some of its oil being directed to Cuba.

 

[osuwhit]

True, but one war that was sure necessary but was never allowed to happen and that was to take over Cuba soon after it became apparent that Castro was getting friendly with Khrushchev. That was the low point of the Kennedy presidency, later changing over to a memorable high point by him peacefully settling the Cuban Missile Crisis. But later on, it looked strange how there was such intense fighting against communism going on 10,000 miles away in Vietnam, while communism was allowed to rule, along with Russian spying, just 90 miles from our shores. Perhaps a provision in the settlement of the Cuban Missile Crisis explains why. Anyway, decades of sanctions against Cuba did not make it revolt against communism and today figures in the situation over Venezuela and some of its oil being directed to Cuba.

Feels like there's strong consideration to take Cuba next. It is crazy times.

 

[Stillwater Townie]

Feels like there's strong consideration to take Cuba next. It is crazy times.

But nobody in the Trump Administration talks of making Cuba the 51st state. Probably because there is little there worth exploiting and would risk giving Democrats seats in Congress.

 

[osuwhit]

But nobody in the Trump Administration talks of making Cuba the 51st state. Probably because there is little there worth exploiting and would risk giving Democrats seats in Congress.

They fear that, but so many people on both sides forget how conservative Hispanic culture is. It's been pretty eye opening for me the past two years working in a Hispanic dominated industry. A lot more of them support Trump then people want to consider. Hispanics from socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela look at the Dems as the party closer to socialism and they do not want it. Hispanics tend to be very Christian and value the family dynamic. They do like a lot of the topics that fall into the "woke" category. One example that covers a lot of that is the "Latnix" term.

 

[Bowers3]

They fear that, but so many people on both sides forget how conservative Hispanic culture is. It's been pretty eye opening for me the past two years working in a Hispanic dominated industry. A lot more of them support Trump then people want to consider. Hispanics from socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela look at the Dems as the party closer to socialism and they do not want it. Hispanics tend to be very Christian and value the family dynamic. They do like a lot of the topics that fall into the "woke" category. One example that covers a lot of that is the "Latnix" term.

Yep. I've said this before but Republicans might never lose an election again if they just calm the hell down on immigration. The Hispanic population is largely religious conservative.

 

[GratefulPoke]

Yep. I've said this before but Republicans might never lose an election again if they just calm the hell down on immigration. The Hispanic population is largely religious conservative.

Its the same with the African community. They are very conservative and traditional.

 

[milehighpoke]

Yep. I've said this before but Republicans might never lose an election again if they just calm the hell down on immigration. The Hispanic population is largely religious conservative.

Most of the Hispanics I know are very pro-immigration reform, and tend to lean conservative. They want people coming over "the right way", which I can totally understand from their POV.

Problem is, now we're arresting, kidnapping, disappearing and murdering people trying to do it the "right way".

 

[osuwhit]

Most of the Hispanics I know are very pro-immigration reform, and tend to lean conservative. They want people coming over "the right way", which I can totally understand from their POV.

Problem is, now we're arresting, kidnapping, disappearing and murdering people trying to do it the "right way".

If this system is working as intended, we're deporting people who didn't do it the "right way." Sneaking into the country isn't the "right way."

I would argue if there are immigrants that came over the "wrong way" and they are contributing to society, then lets find a way to keep them. We need good, hard working people desperately.

If there are immigrants that came over the "wrong way" and are doing wrong things, I'm in favor of deportation. So are many of the Hispanic folks I know and work with. Some of those folks came over the "wrong way" but worked their way into becoming legal because they came for the right reasons and that was to work, provide, and contribute. They cannot stand the immigrants crossing over that show up for handout.

 

[cowboyinexile]

Some of those folks came over the "wrong way" but worked their way into becoming legal because they came for the right reasons and that was to work, provide, and contribute. They cannot stand the immigrants crossing over that show up for handout.

Part of the problem is we seem to be doing everything we can right now to prevent people from coming in the "right way" and seem intent on punishing people who came in the "wrong" way for the right reasons.

If we want to crack down on criminals and people who contribute nothing to society I don't think anyone should have a problem with that. And we have been doing a poor job of that for a while now. Going after people trying to gain legal eligibility by rounding them up when they are at a court hearing because it's low hanging fruit to meet a quota-man no one should support that.

 

[osuwhit]

Part of the problem is we seem to be doing everything we can right now to prevent people from coming in the "right way" and seem intent on punishing people who came in the "wrong" way for the right reasons.

If we want to crack down on criminals and people who contribute nothing to society I don't think anyone should have a problem with that. And we have been doing a poor job of that for a while now. Going after people trying to gain legal eligibility by rounding them up when they are at a court hearing because it's low hanging fruit to meet a quota-man no one should support that.

It’s very difficult to come in the right way. There’s more incentive to come in the wrong way and then do the right thing thereafter.

 

[steross]

Most of the Hispanics I know are very pro-immigration reform, and tend to lean conservative. They want people coming over "the right way", which I can totally understand from their POV.

Problem is, now we're arresting, kidnapping, disappearing and murdering people trying to do it the "right way".

And, we have made the right way insanely difficult for many people.

We all think everyone should graduate from high school. But if we made getting a passing grade in calculus, physical chemistry, and quantum mechanics a requirement for graduation, it would not be surprising to see people trying a different route. I’m still doing immigration exams on people who have been trying for 20 years and then have to repeat the exam because the paperwork was "lost" or their appointment was cancelled.

 

[milehighpoke]

And, we have made the right way insanely difficult for many people.

We all think everyone should graduate from high school. But if we made getting a passing grade in calculus, physical chemistry, and quantum mechanics a requirement for graduation, it would not be surprising to see people trying a different route. I’m still doing immigration exams on people who have been trying for 20 years and then have to repeat the exam because the paperwork was "lost" or their appointment was cancelled.

I'm positive that 75% of Americans couldn't pass some of the tests and requirements needed to immigrate here.

 

[CowboyJD]

I'm positive that 75% of Americans couldn't pass some of the tests and requirements needed to immigrate here.

I'm not positive on your that it would be 75% that couldn't pass it, but I agree that it would be a very concerningly high percentage.