Was stemming the 'spread of communism' worth it in terms of the oppression and bloodshed done in 'our name' - Especially, as post Vietnam, the argument would have been that the North Vietnamese / Viet Cong victory should have accelerated the spread of communism, but didn't.

Problem for me, is that it wasn't really about preventing the 'oppressive nature of communism' because in doing so, we allied ourselves as nations with equally repressive and brutal regimes.

It was about wealth and power and who would 'own that', them or us.

I think, even long term for Iraq, the repercussions of the 2004 invasion aren't prospectively all that good. The country needed reform, and a change of direction, but in terms of a state, it probably was about as good or bad as many of its neighbours.

What it did present was a massive financial opportunity for a number of countries to transfer a huge amount of money into corporate hands, as well as potentially gain a client state dependent on its western allies, that also had a massive oil reserve.

War is expensive, in truth, its usually about resources and wealth. Both the Soviet Union, the Chinese and the US with its western allies, weren't really fighting wars about right, it was about wealth and power.

With Afghanistan, I believe the US and NATO were justified, especially on reflection, given the attack on the WTC and the failure of the Taliban regime to respond to demands for justice. But Iraq, that was engineered out of convenience and corporate desire.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

I think there is an element of hyperbole in the post your responding too. But there is a truth in that Christian Evangelical Fundamentalist movements influence on politics in the UK far exceeds that which Islamic Fundamentalism will ever be able to achieve.

They do seem to be a growing influence.

Nadine Dorres immediately springs to mind, as someone who's political views are rigid religious views, and who's political agenda is a religious one, not one of representing her constituents.

Of course, she's also an MP. I doubt very many Islamic Fundamentalists will sit in the British Parliament. The closest they've ever got is Galloway I guess.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Not in your generation. I worry about the Britain my toddlers will grow up in.

I agree though to an extent...But we all know that Trump isn't religious...He's just farmed out domestic policy that he isn't interested in.....I like the anti politically correct, anti 'progressive' aspects of a Trump presidency but....if I'm honest I'm not that big a fan of the likely social policies.

Abolition....I respect many of the arguments for pro-life but ultimately I think we have to stay pro-choice.

Education.....allowing religion into the classroom is a big no no.

Healthcare.....Trump is more liberal here than most of his party but...they are the only developed western country that doesn't have a form of universal single payer.....they spend nearly double the percentage of GDP on their healthcare that we do.

Russia....is Trump right to turn towards Russia....definitely not ethically but is it the better option strategically?.....I don't know....but it makes me feel a little sick.

Edited by Stirlingsays (27 Mar 2017 1.51pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Primarily around homosexuality and how society should respond.

But then they also had a speaker come from the college to talk at my daughter's school (she's in Y4 so 9). He chose the passage about "wheat and chaffe" from the Bible to illustrate how all those who did not believe in Christ were rubbish to be thrown to the wind.

To be fair to the school, when he'd gone their teacher told them he strongly disagreed and thought it was something he didn't believe in, but I can understand some children would have been quite deeply affected (my daughter just thought he was a bit stupid fortunately).

Edited by OknotOK (27 Mar 2017 2.19pm)

"It's almost like a moral decision. Except not really cos noone is going to find out," Jez, Peep Show

Personally I'm of the view that education should be purely secular. Religion divides and messes up everything.

However I doubt that these modern day Christian viewpoints actually amount to anything like as bad an outcomes for homosexuals living under forms of Sharia.

From being thrown to their deaths from roof tops to being jailed in Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia and Syria...up to ten years for a bit of butt action in Bahrain.

I'm not so certain it's fair to compare the views of Christian schools today with Sharia as practiced.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

It isn't. That's just Jamie playing Devil's advocate.

We see mosques being built all over and just up the road from me a new Church of Latter Day Saint has been built between housing.

Why?
It is the 21st Century and we are still pandering to religious bulls***.