[extropy-chat] Politics: worthwhile commentary

[Robert Bradbury]

This is the 3rd time I've tried to compose this message.  Maybe I'll get it
right this time.

The political commentary I've seen has been totally without reference to
Thomas Friedman's comments in this area.  Sad Sad Sad...  He has been there,
he has looked at the trends quite objectively and can quite clearly can make
a case for going to war in Iraq in spite of the mishandling by Rumsfeld and
Bush.

I would view any "political" commentary which does not include Friedman's
perspective as incompletely informed.

(So, to the "political" commentators -- *shut up* until you have read what
Friedman has written and observed the shows on which he has spoken -- he has
a grasp of the "big" picture which is lacking in most political
discussions.)

Backing it up a level -- it gets into a discussion of extropian principles
as to how should one deal with individuals who are incapable of "rational
thought".  It becomes important if one considers that there are more
"irrational" operators on the planet than "rational" operators.

So any references to the United Nations, "International Law", Kyoto
treaties, etc. have to be framed within the perspective of rational vs.
irrational operators.  It is completely acceptable (IMO) to reject *any*
international treaty, law, etc. if my own personal survival requires it.

So, the question at hand, from an extropic perspective, is *who* is engaging
in rational thought and should you give a f*** with regard to those who are
not? [1] [2]

Robert

1.  I would note that the possible atomic bombing of Muslim holy sites by an
elected U.S. congressman (from Colorado) as a response to terrorist attacks
on the U.S. by "irrational" thinkers.

2. I would point out *from Friedman* that the second largest muslim
population within a "state" is in India.  And they generally do not have a
problem with constructing an environment where *all* may participate.
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