Arjay

'The people of Zimbabwe needed saving many times but oil could not be found in or near their country.'

I agree with the rest of what you say about the West's and Ms Bishop's fake henny-pennying over Syria.

However, be careful of applying selective scepticism to the West's long history of destabilisation and propaganda campaigns against other countries. In many ways, the Zimbabwe regime has been similarly demonised by machiavellian Western interests as has Syria, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Serbia and others.

If you are interested, here are a couple of links to articles - both by Greg Elich - that give a different point of view on Zimbabwe than the one we are used to:

The battle over Zimbabwe's future
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5373

Zimbabwe's struggle for justice
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=160

Mankind is such a dismal failure, I wish God would reveal Himself and tell us all to wake up or face the consequences. Either that, or for someone to prove conclusively that there is no God, so all the religious infighting could stop - but being as it is, mankind would just come up with some other excuse to kill and enslave each other. We are hopeless, full of delusions of grandeur and an insatiable drive for conquest. God is either laughing or tearing His hair out. The 21st Century is shaping up to be to be an absolute shocker.

If it weren't for oil (and a small modicum of common sense and restraint) the nukes would probably be flying left and right already, no questions asked.

I mostly pity all the animals and plants which have suffered, and will undoubtedly continue to suffer at the hands of mankind. What purpose can all this destruction in the name of development serve? Why can't people see all the beauty and promise which is being destroyed, and for no sound purpose, save ego. Not very enlightened, and in fact shameful. Religion? It's been hijacked, misused and abused, and I wish to hell it didn't exist - unless it be solely to honour and serve the land, water, air, environment.

Maybe it is time to write them off, those who insist on holy wars (under any guise), and let them kill each other off (but without nukes). The world could only be better off.

Population control - Bring it On!! (And, the day Iran gets nukes you can kiss sanity good bye.) Human Rights? We're rushing to get every hellish thing we deserve - at least the arrogant and belligerent are, and good riddance.

Aus may be wise to keep schtum, and stay well clear. The volcano is ready to erupt, and we only have rubber booties.

Our potential saviour? A viable alternative to crude oil (eg bio), and no nukes, anyywhere. (Plus strict pop control.) Failing this, the chips will fall - it's only a matter of time.

Saltpetre,

On the subject of "where does mankind go from here?". The planet earth runs quite a pernicious line in "correction" from time to time. Species evolve and then diminish.

Homo sapiens has proved rather a formidable protagonist - yet he was erroneously titled. He is not wise - only clever.

<<The only sane course of action is to avoid involvement in any shape, manner or form>>

Yes indeed, couldn't agree more.

Things are not as clear cut as most of the media would have us believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzTZ5BILksM&NR=1&feature=endscreen

579 wrote:

>>Isn't it best to move in, than to watch from the outside>>

What do you mean by "move in?" Do you mean "the West," whatever that means these days, should occupy the country? That did not work to well in Iraq and is failing in Afghanistan.

>>Russia and China are content for them to self destruct>>

Syria seems set to self-destruct. Like Pakistan it looks increasingly like a failed state waiting to implode. I don’t think there is anything we or anybody else can do about it.

C'est la guerre.

Saltpetre wrote:

>>Maybe it is time to write them off, those who insist on holy wars (under any guise), and let them kill each other off (but without nukes). The world could only be better off.>>

LOL,

Maybe you should say:

Thank you Israeli Air Force for destroying Assad's nuclear ambitions.

Imagine how much more serious the position would be if the Assad regime had access to nuclear weapons.

Now the question is what does the world do about Pakistan's nukes when, not if, but when, that state finally implodes.

I'm guessing that the Americans and the Indians have developed plans to seize Pakistan's nukes when the time comes. They'll be helped by Pakistan's endemic corruption. The Americans could possibly arrange with corrupt officials to buy Pakistan's nukes as they did in South Africa.

No way were the Americans going to let Muammur Gadaffi's good friend, Nelson Mandela, get control of South Africa's nuclear arsenal.

Hi Ms Bishop,

I know it's formal ... but so many people, especially in our media, indulge in informality to such a degree it has come to undermine respect for our polies. I know I'm old fashioned ... and please don't use my non-de-plume if you wish to respond to me. You can address me as Mr Imajulianutter. (tehehe)

I understands that to assess politic's in the mid east according to religious bent, particularly Islamic politics, can cause false perceptions and outcomes ... but with the current 'Arab Spring' and the overthrow of the left leaning Shia and Iranian backed Arab dictatorships won't there need be an eventual re-assessment of the west's relationship with the now newly Sunni dominated Arab states?

Have your team assessed how these states, as they lose the shia dominance and the Iranian influence, are likely to engage with the west and Israel?

It appears to me that Shia dominated Hamas in both Lebanon and Gaza appear to be moderating their rhetoric and isolationist stances. Is it possible they understand something the west hasn't yet noted?

I also think Israel's determination to up the ante against Iran and Iran's reluctance or inability to use it's influence in Lebanon and Gaza for 'retribution' against Israel for the recent series of clandestine terror attacks in Iran point to a major re-alignment ... somewhere?

Please understand I am not a raging leftie but I do support the Palestinians quest for nationhood ... stridently.
I hate no-one.
I also think Australia needs a major re-think of our policy toward Israel. While holding that view I do not advocate abandoning Israel to the tender mercies of Hamas or an inevitably nuclear armed Iran. I do think Israel is stretching the boundaries of our friendship.

Graham has my e-mail address if you wish to address my questions in greater detail than space here may allow.