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In the case of the "injuns" they had me well-brainwashed. I really believed they were bad people. I had my six-shooters and my Fort Apache set just like all the little boys had. It was many years before I realized my mom's ancestors (or people they probably knew) were to blame. Dad's ancestors were still in Italy until some time circa 1900-1906... by which time the West was won (oops, ...stolen).
The reason you grew up this way is because the WINNERS write the history books. Chipmunk, you are right some atrocities did happen, but man is programmed to explore and question. Once these explorations have reached a certain extent the next natural human nature is conquest and violence. Yes it easy to sit back now and say shame, shame, but that is because we are already experiencing the rewards of others conquest and exploration. What would your life look like today if the West had not been won? If America was just Rhode Island, the only land we paid the natives for? Do you think your Dad's ancestors would have come over here in 1900-1906 if that is all America was? Would Rhode Island have won its Independence from Great Britian? These are hard questions one must ask themselves before becoming to critical of your own ancestors and what they have provided for you.
So the Machievellis of the world are always right? They are if I am to accept what you are saying, that the end justifies the means?
If this is true why are there so many criminals in prisons? Maybe because they couldn't amass enough followers, make everyone believe in a god that supported their cause, and then write books to convince people their ways were the only ways. And the bottom line is they are in prison because their only crime was not having enough supporters, right?
[1 point]2 years ago by ChipmonkReplyEdited 2 years ago by Chipmonk
Yes I believe the end does justify the means to some extent. Should we try and learn from history, yes. Did we as a people commit some terrible attrocities, absolutly. Do I think it was the right thing to do, no. However, do I believe in social darwinism and accept the fact that without these explorations and conquests we would not live in the greatest country in the world right now, absoulty YES. This is just my opinion, but I have come to a realization that the world is a rough, cold, selfish place and inorder to survive and rise to the top sometimes one has to do what is necessary not what is ideal.
The majority of criminals in prison are not there for not having enough followers, but for petty selfish crimes. However, I will follow your line of thinking cause I do understand your point. So to your question, yes , the one with the least supporters ends up in prison. History repeats itself time and time again. As power changes, so do the political or religouse criminals and judges. They just keep switching places with each change of power. So that is why it is of the up most importance to be on the winning side. I know this sounds jaded and rather dark but I believe it is truly how the world works behind the curtains of ideology.
It is not always pretty what needs to be done. However, would you have the standard of living you now have if there was no spread of Western Civilization?
Do you not also enjoy this standard of living or have rejected the luxuries provide you except of course for your computer and the internet, which also came about because of Western Civilization?
Norway
In the 1950's and 1960's I watched many movies like that. They were called "Westerns." :(
This comment was deleted.
[-6 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyIn the case of the "injuns" they had me well-brainwashed. I really believed they were bad people. I had my six-shooters and my Fort Apache set just like all the little boys had. It was many years before I realized my mom's ancestors (or people they probably knew) were to blame. Dad's ancestors were still in Italy until some time circa 1900-1906... by which time the West was won (oops, ...stolen).
The reason you grew up this way is because the WINNERS write the history books. Chipmunk, you are right some atrocities did happen, but man is programmed to explore and question. Once these explorations have reached a certain extent the next natural human nature is conquest and violence. Yes it easy to sit back now and say shame, shame, but that is because we are already experiencing the rewards of others conquest and exploration. What would your life look like today if the West had not been won? If America was just Rhode Island, the only land we paid the natives for? Do you think your Dad's ancestors would have come over here in 1900-1906 if that is all America was? Would Rhode Island have won its Independence from Great Britian? These are hard questions one must ask themselves before becoming to critical of your own ancestors and what they have provided for you.
So the Machievellis of the world are always right? They are if I am to accept what you are saying, that the end justifies the means?
If this is true why are there so many criminals in prisons? Maybe because they couldn't amass enough followers, make everyone believe in a god that supported their cause, and then write books to convince people their ways were the only ways. And the bottom line is they are in prison because their only crime was not having enough supporters, right?
Yes I believe the end does justify the means to some extent. Should we try and learn from history, yes. Did we as a people commit some terrible attrocities, absolutly. Do I think it was the right thing to do, no. However, do I believe in social darwinism and accept the fact that without these explorations and conquests we would not live in the greatest country in the world right now, absoulty YES. This is just my opinion, but I have come to a realization that the world is a rough, cold, selfish place and inorder to survive and rise to the top sometimes one has to do what is necessary not what is ideal.
The majority of criminals in prison are not there for not having enough followers, but for petty selfish crimes. However, I will follow your line of thinking cause I do understand your point. So to your question, yes , the one with the least supporters ends up in prison. History repeats itself time and time again. As power changes, so do the political or religouse criminals and judges. They just keep switching places with each change of power. So that is why it is of the up most importance to be on the winning side. I know this sounds jaded and rather dark but I believe it is truly how the world works behind the curtains of ideology.
Is it not fair to say then, we are all criminals at heart?
Yes I think that is very fair to say
Space movie, or documentary of the spread of Western 'civilization?'
If the western nations employ power suits or plasma weapons. Sure it could be both even.
It is not always pretty what needs to be done. However, would you have the standard of living you now have if there was no spread of Western Civilization?
That standard of living was built on the blood of innocents. And still is.
This comment was deleted.
[-5 points] 2 years ago by deleted user ReplyDo you not also enjoy this standard of living or have rejected the luxuries provide you except of course for your computer and the internet, which also came about because of Western Civilization?
I've already seen Return of the Jedi - it was the stormtroopers who got slaughtered by the teddy bears though.