I understand your feelings on torture. You've done a good job of outlining them.

My point about the military bases was that many are using the facts of crimes committed from these bases and the lack of cold war, as evidence that these bases have outlived their usefulness.

In particular, I read somethings that focused on the reach of American bases. And it discussed the efforts the US govt went to protect soldiers convicted of local crimes from the local authorities. Chalmers Johnson has spent a significant amount of time in Asia. So he focuses on issues like Okinawa, and the rape cases their.


>On #1 - yes, isolated incidents which need to be corrected and dealt with, #2 not the policy of the school systems across the country (but it is in some), but extremist points of views and policies always make headlines.
>
>Perry, I don't dispute there IS torture in the military, the CIA, and other black agencies. I was an interrogator after all and I spent some time with other agencies. The typical scenario is not the U.S. doing the torture (although it will come to light that it does on occasion and it did NOT begin with Bush 1 or 2), but standing by reaping the benefits (or not). That has been the case since the 60s and it is about time that it came to light.
>
>>Two points:
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>>1) The people in the whitehouse now have appointed some to positions of power who do want to promote an abstinence only sex education. No matter the research that shows it doesn't work, they still plod along, making our children stupider:
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>>http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/03/abstinence-only-education-failing-teens-think-bleach-prevents-hiv/
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>>This topic just showed up in the news again last week during bush's trip. Crimes committed by American soldiers against local citizens while stationed at foreign bases. Another rape, in Romenia, I think. These crimes get whitewashed and ignored. Another story that causes foreigners to hate Americans.
>>
>>
>>>>I'm rather sick of comments of people who never left the US or only visited europe as a tourist. Also keep in mind that europe has change significantly the last decade or two.
>>>
>>>Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? I too have spent a LOT of time in other countries, not just as a tourist.
>>>
>>>Walter, I don't doubt your sincerity or your conviction that you know all about America and Americans. I doubt the veracity of it. Your description is typical of only a very small portion of the populace, not the majority, good and bad.
>>>
>>>As to sex, regardless of what you hear in person or on the news, we are not a closed-minded right-wing society. Sex education does exist. We do not rely solely on abstinence for protection nor is that all we teach our children. If that were true, then the majority of Americans would have babies as teens, not the percentage we have now (although it is too high). Because as we all know, whether every parent wants to admit it or not, the majority of teens are having sex.
>>>
>>>I have mentioned here on this forum many times the faults of my country. Believe me Walter, I know them better than most. I have witnessed firsthand the damage this country has done overseas and been an unwilling participant or observer at times. I have also witnessed firsthand the greatness this country has done (and never publicized on the news here or overseas) and its people.
>>>
>>>That is why, I believe strongly in pulling American troops and American involvement OUT from everywhere. Other than previous commitments and agreements (we must abide by those). Other than that, no more. Get our money and our soldiers and our politics out of everywhere. PERIOD. Unless we are completely sure of an imminent threat, stay out. Unless the threat is within our borders, stay out. That includes Canada and Mexico. They can handle their own security. No military participation ANY PLACE unless it is part of a multi-national PEACE KEEPING force. No MONEY period outside of this country unless it is for a national disaster and NOT politics and not business. Then everyone can hate us for not doing enough rather than for doing the wrong thing and our tax dollars can be used here at home.