I think that that he's just trying to ... guilt? bait? the US into helping Europe with another bailout. Or maybe it's just that those in Europe are trying to help each other out because they are all in the boat together.

Well, as the rest of the world sinks economically to the US's level, it will become a global superpower all over again due to the two greatest words in the english language.

DEFAULT!

They may march over the burnt-out husk of our annihilated hyperpower, but from the depths of the ashes and rubble my withered hand will grab their ankle and hiss, "Enjoy your servitude to China, you Swedish hipster prick!"

Well, we used to protect personal freedoms. And paid our bills (most of them). We didn't torture people. We used to strive to educate our young and grow our middle class. We used to lead the world in inventing and actually making things.

We've since decided those are not things worthy of pursuit. We've become more attuned to monetary issues and supporting those entrenched as such.

Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Ed Finnerty: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Maybe. But they'd be overrun again an hour later

Of course we are. The important thing is that the rich will remain rich.

Give Europe more money or else everyone will think you're lame. US... you used to be cool, man.

That's because our President is going on late night TV and singing the news.
I'm honored by the headline but I really don't know what I'm talking about.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Ed Finnerty: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Maybe. But they'd be overrun again an hour later

Okay. I LOLed at that.

There is no possible way you're going to get an election year committment to the IMF from the Administration. You'd get some moderates, but the Reactionary Right and what passes for the Left in this country won't stand for it. Both are convinced that the IMF is a economic destroyer, and they might have a point. Doing anything that Sweden advocates will just add to the phantasies of OMGSOZIALISM11!!!!1!1!

Obvious tag got repossessed by the IMF, I guess.

Somehow, this seems like it would be a good thing. Go away and bother someone else.

So the finance minister from a country that is economically smaller and less important than my state (Minnesota) said something...... That's cute.

So what they are really complaining about is the fact that they will have to put up the money they promised because the US won't do it for them.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Ed Finnerty: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Maybe. But they'd be overrun again an hour later

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmcPwl _4kWs

I laughed out loud.

/just kidding, I smiled.

b2theory: So the finance minister from a country that is economically smaller and less important than my state (Minnesota) said something...... That's cute.

Maybe, but he's right. As India and China continue to grow, their influence will grow as well. China already exerts a heavy pressure on international politics.

The U.S. will continue to be a major player on the world stage. It is large and powerful and nothing will change that, however the American Empire as it was after WW II is waning.

b2theory: So the finance minister from a country that is economically smaller and less important than my state (Minnesota) said something...... That's cute.

Please. Get back to me when Minnesota has its own bikini team.

Not even the Roman Empire lasted forever.

The United States has donated hundreds of billions to the IMF over its life, and as such, has the largest voting block on the Council (~ 20%). This allows the United States to offer bigger and less interest-laden loans to its allies.

Do I like everything about the IMF? No.
But it has without a doubt helped this country and allies spread our culture and influence globally.

The IMF can do without another booster payment from the United States for awhile.

So I take it he got our "No" on giving them tons of money for nothing?

This doesn't have anything to do with Star Trek...

Really? Compared to whom? Which country is the leader? China? Russia? India? The EU?

The USA's dominance may be reduced somewhat, however for the foreseeable future it will be the dominant power on the world stage. At worst the USA will be the dominant power in a power bloc opposed to other power blocs.

Nadie_AZ: I think that that he's just trying to ... guilt? bait? the US into helping Europe with another bailout. Or maybe it's just that those in Europe are trying to help each other out because they are all in the boat together.

Done in one. It's hard to take his comments seriously when he's basically begging for money

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Ed Finnerty: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Maybe. But they'd be overrun again an hour later



/Thread complete.

edmo: Well, we used to protect personal freedoms. And paid our bills (most of them). We didn't torture people. We used to strive to educate our young and grow our middle class. We used to lead the world in inventing and actually making things.

We've since decided those are not things worthy of pursuit. We've become more attuned to monetary issues and supporting those entrenched as such.

And accumulating wealth by shuffling paper (or bits and bytes) around while not producing anything of value and driving everyone who actually contributes to society into debt.

skinink: Not even the Roman Empire lasted forever.

Portugal is a better compairson time-wise to the U.S. (even then you have a ways to go...) but hey, you aren't actually done yet...

karmaceutical: Minnesota has its own bikini team.

What about a bikini ice fishing team?

I'll just leave this here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eV1Qj x5lVI

Opps, meant to link that.
Link

Whoops I whole thing.

Let Europeans sort out their own problems. Look how well they did from 1933 to 1945.

yes?

everything changed in 1989. Didn't you people know this already?

karmaceutical: b2theory: So the finance minister from a country that is economically smaller and less important than my state (Minnesota) said something...... That's cute.

Please. Get back to me when Minnesota has its own bikini team.

Not from Minnesota, but...Minnesota's Bikini Ice Fishing Team(pops) is worth a look!

sno man: skinink: Not even the Roman Empire lasted forever.

Portugal is a better compairson time-wise to the U.S. (even then you have a ways to go...) but hey, you aren't actually done yet...

Ya dunno. Thanks a lot GW -- nevertheless it was idiot voters who put him in twice.

Isn't Borg the guy who sent the Swedish Feds to bust Piratebay? I thought he was one of our patsies.

Omahawg: yes?

everything changed in 1989. Didn't you people know this already?

Tell ya the truth I'm pretty hazy about what happened in 89, but I think it was a pretty good party : )

skinink: Not even the Roman Empire lasted forever.

Funny. I think it never fell, it just leaned a little....

Yeah, funny how people don't like us not practicing what we preach all the time.

Diogenes Teufelsdrockh: [img94.imageshack.us image 400x336]

I salute you, sir. Reading that, and recognizing the modern parallels is something that I think should be a pre-requisite for posting in the politics tab.

Ive actually been working on a book (fiction) based on the Nika riots of 532, where something similar happens, only the blues and the greens have been replaced with the tea party and juggalos.

Nadie_AZ: I think that that he's just trying to ... guilt? bait? the US into helping Europe with another bailout. Or maybe it's just that those in Europe are trying to help each other out because they are all in the boat together.

Yeah, they built the euro up so they could compete with the dollar so ghey have to deal with the bullshiat.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

Umm read history. They called the US. The phone kept ringing until Japan bombed the US.

/flame on bud

The lack of Jeri Ryan pictures in this thread is disappoint.

/WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FARK I ONCE KNEW!??

natmar_76: b2theory: So the finance minister from a country that is economically smaller and less important than my state (Minnesota) said something...... That's cute.

Maybe, but he's right. As India and China continue to grow, their influence will grow as well. China already exerts a heavy pressure on international politics.

The U.S. will continue to be a major player on the world stage. It is large and powerful and nothing will change that, however the American Empire as it was after WW II is waning.

I believe it's called cutting dead weight or downsizing for the pc crowd.

To be honest with bombers that can take off from the Midwest - bomb Baghdad and return without refueling do we really need to placate to countries just so we can maintain a FOB there?

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Ed Finnerty: MaudlinMutantMollusk: Next time the Germans overrun Europe, call China

They'd be better off with China.

Maybe. But they'd be overrun again an hour later

ThatsWasis_anim.gif

/I laughed

edmo: Well, we used to protect personal freedoms. And paid our bills (most of them). We didn't torture people. We used to strive to educate our young and grow our middle class. We used to lead the world in inventing and actually making things.

We've since decided those are not things worthy of pursuit. We've become more attuned to monetary issues and supporting those entrenched as such.

In other words, we just don't farking care anymore, and I agree.

The Grasshopper: skinink: Not even the Roman Empire lasted forever.

Funny. I think it never fell, it just leaned a little....
[www.majhost.com image 500x375]

Is it that the Vatican is tipping over or is the street rotating to the left?

When our economy blew up in 2008, there was a lot of smug schadenfreude coming from Europe. They wagged their fingers at us and tut-tutted at us for being so greedy and selfish. And now the contagion has hit them and they're holding out their hands begging for money. And as if that isn't enough, it looks like China is starting to get the sniffles. We're not done yet people.