“Militants”: media propaganda

[Dr. Trainwreck]

It is liberal apologists like you who continue to spread the half-truths written in American history textbooks. But it was FDR who claimed US authority over half of the Atlantic, FDR's administration which embargoed Japan while continuing to trade with the allies, and FDR whose provocations lead to the deaths of so many American lives.

At the cost of using a cliche, I'll point out that reality is known for her liberal bias. Also, fuck you. Cuba is still embargoed over things a million times smaller than what Japan did. And how exactly Roosevelt would have avoided WW2 even without 'provocations'? Oh yes, staying aside while the Holocaust was being completed, occupied Europe was plundered and suffering from famines, and while the Poles and Russians were becoming fertilizer.

While FDR was undoubtedly a great President, at the same time he commanded plenty of actions that would make both Bush and Obama look like Ron Paul such as interning 100,000 Japanese-Americans and ordering the strategic bombing campaigns. Domestically he is well known for packing the Supreme Court.

Yeah, he was a major asshole like that. But to call him a militaristic tyrant without comparing him to his contemporaries, who included people like Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and even Churchill in some respects (it's not a coincidence that he was booted from office instantly when the war ended) is mere propaganda, and stupid to boot.

Well, now I know what to quote when the US gets its panties in a bunch over the next movie out of Turkey showing american soldiers/CIA guys to be comicbook villains.

But... but... it's a 'defining movie', and it has 'moral ambiguity' (these were things actually said by critics). It's perfect!

Come to think of it, these Turkish films you're referring to are probably very well received in Turkey as well.

[Thanas]

It is liberal apologists like you who continue to spread the half-truths written in American history textbooks. But it was FDR who claimed US authority over half of the Atlantic, FDR's administration which embargoed Japan while continuing to trade with the allies, and FDR whose provocations lead to the deaths of so many American lives.

At the cost of using a cliche, I'll point out that reality is known for her liberal bias. Also, fuck you. Cuba is still embargoed over things a million times smaller than what Japan did. And how exactly Roosevelt would have avoided WW2 even without 'provocations'? Oh yes, staying aside while the Holocaust was being completed, occupied Europe was plundered and suffering from famines, and while the Poles and Russians were becoming fertilizer.

To be honest, Roosevelt was motivated more by strategical considerations (balance of power etc.) than by any sympathy for the Jews. The allies did not care about the holocaust, nor among the other civilian casualties on both sides. Fear of a global axis alliance drove them, not humanitarian concerns.

That they were far better in that regard than the axis is by coincidence and based on the makeup of their respective societies, not by design.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

To be honest, Roosevelt was motivated more by strategical considerations (balance of power etc.) than by any sympathy for the Jews. The allies did not care about the holocaust, nor among the other civilian casualties on both sides. Fear of a global axis alliance drove them, not humanitarian concerns.

That they were far better in that regard than the axis is by coincidence and based on the makeup of their respective societies, not by design.

Of course, for all of them; but they were better. I was asking what was a better course of action, though, than the one Roosevelt followed historically.

[Metahive]

I think what's in dispute here's that neither Roosevelt nor any of the other allied leaders waged war against the Axis out of the goodness of their hearts or concern for human rights. They would have waged war on Hitler even without the Holocaust simply because he was stepping on so many people's toes.

[K. A. Pital]

It was a coincidence that Germany unleashed a massive genocide in Eastern Europe and Japan unleashed one just as massive in South-East Asia, of course. Even if they haven't, a conflict between two powerful imperialist blocs would inevitably spiral into a major WWI-like war.

But seriously guys, its "ryacko". Come on. Half a thread discussing his stupid drivel in N&P? Is he even worth it?

[Dr. Trainwreck]

I'd have mentioned ryacko's past stupidity as well, was it not for the fear of violating the 'no vendettas' rule. But Stas, he's damn funny and I'm a sportsman for this stuff.

[PainRack]

Wasn't FDR a militarist tyrant who ran for office four times because he could, destroying the informal institutions we have, and aiming to oppress the common man with burdensome regulations?

Aye, comrade. FDR was such a warmonger, he declared war on Germany and Japan just because they declared war first. He was also a tyrant who staged public executions of businessmen and tortured his political opponents, trampled the Constitution and tried to impose teh eevul soshialysme on hard-working Murricans, who were denied the RIGHT to CHOOSE how to starve to death, thus violating the finest principle of the FREE MARKET: your choice of death is free but you can't choose to live, we aren't cheap populists now are we?

Ryacko, is there anything about the history of your own country you get better than people half a world away?

Let be fair. FDR managed a brillant compromise between capitalism, freedom and democracy, but it was STILL a compromise, one forged by strengthening the powers of the Presidency in an attempt to sidestep Congress and other checks and balances on executive power.

[Korto]

Obama re-defined "militant" to mean "all military-age males in a strike zone"

Dammit, I'm offended by this. Are we going to stand for this sexism? Innocent bystander women have the right to be post facto declared militants too!