Why trying to help poor countries might actually hurt them

[jonb]

Well, you didn't answer my question, and like the old saying, "if you don't answer, someone else will", so I answered the question for you.

I didn't say that Syrians are bad, but you do know that the country is devastated, or do you live in a complete bubble?

Football stinks, but I am a staunch supporter of democracy/ruleoflaw/humanrights/secularism. Even if it's imperfect, I'll choose that to brutal repression/dictatorship any time of the day. Unlike you, I know  what team I am on.

There is the essential difference between us. For me democracy is not about a few people at the top. Just supporting my side right or wrong is tyranny by the mob. Democracy for me is about the people and for it to work the people have to hold the leaders to account, it is our duty.
Criticism of our own is demanded of the democrat, failure to do so invites tyranny.
Your position actually leads us to question which team you are on, yes you stand this side of a line, but you seem to have no conception as to what the ethos of this team is all about. It very much looks like you would be happier on the other side calling for strong government and petty dictatorship.

Unlike you, I know  what team I am on.

For this is the clarion call of every tyrant.

[Baruch]

There is the essential difference between us. For me democracy is not about a few people at the top. Just supporting my side right or wrong is tyranny by the mob. Democracy for me is about the people and for it to work the people have to hold the leaders to account, it is our duty.
Criticism of our own is demanded of the democrat, failure to do so invites tyranny.
Your position actually leads us to question which team you are on, yes you stand this side of a line, but you seem to have no conception as to what the ethos of this team is all about. It very much looks like you would be happier on the other side calling for strong government and petty dictatorship.

For this is the clarion call of every tyrant.

Eventually GB rejected Oliver Cromwell ... but the American Revolutionaries accepted him, being made up mostly of Cromwellian exiles.  This is the part of the special relationship that can never be bridged.  Americans have totally failed to bring government to account ... we might as well join the Waffen SS ;-(

"Unlike you, I know  what team I am on." ... I am past being on anyone's team.  Like Groucho Marx ... I won't join any club that is willing to have me ;-)  Otherwise your statement could imply ... anti-Semitism.  Taken neutrally .. you couldn't be more wrong.

[jonb]

Baruch You have lost me, I don't know who the second paragraph is addressed to, or what about.

[josephpalazzo]

  Like Groucho Marx ... I won't join any club that is willing to have me ...

The Jews have been successful by cleverly using self-deprecation - the strategy is: before you laugh at me, let me laugh at myself first. It's what you call turning a liability into an asset. It's quite disarming.

[Baruch]

The Jews have been successful by cleverly using self-deprecation - the strategy is: before you laugh at me, let me laugh at myself first. It's what you call turning a liability into an asset. It's quite disarming.

So why don't you look like the Venus De Milo?

If we had been powerful, we would have put your Italian heads on spikes ... we aren't better, just Jewish.

[Baruch]

Baruch You have lost me, I don't know who the second paragraph is addressed to, or what about.

Second paragraph is to Joe, sorry.  He thinks I have to support the Chicago Cubs, even if they never get the baseball pennant or the world series ever again.  Politics here (and probably over there) is just sport ... with all the cheating going on.  I care about fair play ... because I am stupid.

[jonb]

Gosh, some people, it's just not cricket is it?

[josephpalazzo]

So why don't you look like the Venus De Milo?

Irrelevant.

If we had been powerful, we would have put your Italian heads on spikes ... we aren't better, just Jewish.

It's not about power but tricking the audience. You do it well... NOT

[aitm]

Baruch You have lost me, I don't know who the second paragraph is addressed to, or what about.

LOL, I, like a few others, think he gets lost all by himself.

[jonb]

LOL, I, like a few others, think he gets lost all by himself.

To discover anything at first you have to get lost.

https://youtu.be/5v8habYTfHU

[Baruch]

To discover anything at first you have to get lost.

https://youtu.be/5v8habYTfHU

Super awesome ... are you the real retired professor here? ;-))

[josephpalazzo]

LOL, I, like a few others, think he gets lost all by himself.

In Baruch's case, "lost" is a kind word...

[jonb]

Oh yes Jose, we can recognise just where you are coming from-