Iran creates international panic

[Urbane Guerrilla]

This may be the fundamental reason why so many Arab states are failed states. Impaired integrity on the one hand, mass dumbth on the other.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

This may be the fundamental reason why so many Arab states are failed states. Impaired integrity on the one hand, mass dumbth on the other.

Yeah, because a history of western interventions in their cultural and political development has nothing to do with it.

I see you have bought into the racist, bigotted view of Arabs as dishonourable, untrustworthy, uneducated crafty bastards. Do you also not like the way they smell?

How can you possibly look at an entire nation and come to the conclusion they are stupid en masse?


Oh and Kingswood: lol.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Yeah, because a history of western interventions in their cultural and political development has nothing to do with it.

I see you have bought into the racist, bigotted view of Arabs as dishonourable, untrustworthy, uneducated crafty bastards. Do you also not like the way they smell?

Not in the slightest. Your [perceived, anyway] IQ would climb if you were to quit attributing bigotry to me at the faintest homeopathic shadow of an excuse.

Now then, Miss Smartypants: how many of the Arab states are failed or failing states? Tot up, if you like, the Third-World wrecks. Do you need more than two fingers to number the really successful states in Araby? My conclusion, I think, has some substance behind it.

Turkey, technically and in some measure culturally, wouldn't be in Araby. Persia, another non-Arab state, has a strong sense of nationhood and cultural integrity that keeps it in one piece and will allow it considerable ability to rebound once the mullahcracy is removed, however forcibly or peaceably.

I think the ultimate source of the infection is they were at one time all provinces of the Ottoman Empire, and fairly recently at that. The Ottomans would have found strong home-rule cultures very much not in their imperial interest, and yes, I think there is that in Arab culture that undermines economic dynamism, so there you have a double whammy jinxing things.

None of these observations are unfair, AFAIK.

How can you possibly look at an entire nation and come to the conclusion they are stupid en masse?

I look at their actions. Stupid governments make stupid messes. That, my too readily patronizable girl, is how I figure 'em for a suboptimal lot.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

I look at their actions. Stupid governments make stupid messes. That, my too readily patronizable girl, is how I figure 'em for a suboptimal lot.

Do I really need to say the punchline?

[Griff]

I suppose that would be good sportsmanship.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

I look at their actions. Stupid governments make stupid messes. That is how I figure 'em for a suboptimal lot.

Wonder how many others have applied this to America, er have been for the last few years anyway.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by classicman

Wonder how many others have applied this to America, er have been for the last few years anyway.

{sarc}Yea, well at least we don't wear towel animals on our heads! We wear Cowboy Hats! {/sarc}

[xoxoxoBruce]

They are not towels, damnit.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Now then, Miss Smartypants: how many of the Arab states are failed or failing states? Tot up, if you like, the Third-World wrecks. Do you need more than two fingers to number the really successful states in Araby?

I note a certain reluctance to address this point on DanaC's part. Anyone else reluctant?