A couple things that I have been wondering about....

[RightIsWrong]

The first is something that I have thought for a long time but it has become more relevantin teh last 2+ years b/c of Iraq.

If our contitution is the envy of all the world, why wouldn't other countries that are establishing "new" democracies just translate it into their native language and go from there? It has worked here incredibly well, give or take a few abuses, for well over 200 years. I'd say to other countries.....GIVE IT A WHIRL!!

I know that there are countries that truly don't want a democracy or have dictators that want to hold onto control for as long as they can....this thought isn't stated in regards to them. But countries that are truly in their infancy either due to civil war, overthrown govts, etc.

The second is something that really irks me. Why the hell can all of these groups "take credit" for bombings around the world on "websites known to be used by al Qaida" and we not track them? I mean, if the RIAA can track little Molly Polly in BFE, Idaho for d/l'ing a freaking Hoobastank song, they sure as hell should be able to trace messangers for al Zarqawi or bin Laden posting bragadocious claims to blowing up innocent people I'd think.

 

[judasmachine]

1. Not even those wishing for democracy are all that envious of the US. Besides you still need infrastructure before you can just declare your system as a valid one. The US had a couple hundred years to build a nice foundation of economics, and heirarchy on which to build. You cannot do this if you're living hand to mouth in a bombed out hellhole.

2. Who says they aren't tracking them? The war is being orchestrated very carefully, with a bodyguard of lies built up around it. Information is the one weapon the US intelligence community uses very effectively. Hell, apparently they even duped the white house. (if you believe such an outrageous turn of events)

 

[Albatross]

well,because america is more than a constitution;one could copy your constitution but should also copy religion,a strong tradition in individual rights,a very particular history(american revolution)etc.How nations end up is the work of "history" rather than conciouss political decisions.
have no idea about your second question.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: albatross
well,because america is more than a constitution;one could copy your constitution but should also copy religion,a strong tradition in individual rights,a very particular history(american revolution)etc.How nations end up is the work of "history" rather than conciouss political decisions.
have no idea about your second question.

you have a huge point culture matters. if i were setting up a country though, in no way shape or form would i just copy another's culture. the whole assimilate or die thing is just creepy.

 

[Jakebrake]

Culture does matter, the political culture that is. The ideals that went into the US constitution were debated and ratified over an eleven year period. Just read the Federalist Papers and the history of that time in the US. Democracy and democratic ideas are not new to the middle-east, it is just still experiencing the effects and aftershocks of colonialism and the cold war.

 

[zendari]

It's probably a bit tougher to catch trained terrorists anywhere in the world than idiot Molly Polly who lives in this country.

 

[Praetorian7]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong

The second is something that really irks me. Why the hell can all of these groups "take credit" for bombings around the world on "websites known to be used by al Qaida" and we not track them? I mean, if the RIAA can track little Molly Polly in BFE, Idaho for d/l'ing a freaking Hoobastank song, they sure as hell should be able to trace messangers for al Zarqawi or bin Laden posting bragadocious claims to blowing up innocent people I'd think.

IMO these people don't use computers from their home, but rather at a place with multiple computers (i.e. internet cafe or similar). Easy to get in, cheap to use, and relative obscurity.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Originally posted by: Praetorian7

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong

The second is something that really irks me. Why the hell can all of these groups "take credit" for bombings around the world on "websites known to be used by al Qaida" and we not track them? I mean, if the RIAA can track little Molly Polly in BFE, Idaho for d/l'ing a freaking Hoobastank song, they sure as hell should be able to trace messangers for al Zarqawi or bin Laden posting bragadocious claims to blowing up innocent people I'd think.

IMO these people don't use computers from their home, but rather at a place with multiple computers (i.e. internet cafe or similar). Easy to get in, cheap to use, and relative obscurity.

It still baffles me that they can't do a domain name registration to figure out who owns the domain name and then follow that person. If that person is already incarcerated/dead, they can still trace back where the changes to a site were uploaded from and then stake out that area. Granted, they are going to be mobile in where they post, but there has to be a general area or location type that they are utilizing. Let's face it, if all of the countries were really helping us with the war on terror, they could trace internet usage a lot more closely if they wanted.

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
If our contitution is the envy of all the world, why wouldn't other countries that are establishing "new" democracies just translate it into their native language and go from there? It has worked here incredibly well, give or take a few abuses, for well over 200 years. I'd say to other countries.....GIVE IT A WHIRL!!

I assume you're referring to the Bill of Rights, plus selected additional amendments (the 13th [abolishing slavery], the 15th [extending voting rights to all racial groups], and the 19th [women's suffrage]), rather than the Constitution as a whole (since the details of our system of governance are far less important than individual liberties and rights).

The problem is that the devil is in the details. We have 214 years of case law since the Bill of Rights was ratified, and we still haven't come close to perfecting this rights stuff. A country adopting our Constitution would be clueless as to what it means in practice. It's a long, slow road to liberty.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
If our contitution is the envy of all the world, why wouldn't other countries that are establishing "new" democracies just translate it into their native language and go from there?

Of course! *snaps fingers* WHY didn't we think of that before! I mean, since we all worship Americans, and our ultimate goal in life is to become JUST like Americans, why not! We bow to your superior intelligence.


/extreme sarcasm

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: zendari
It's probably a bit tougher to catch trained terrorists anywhere in the world than idiot Molly Polly who lives in this country.

Indeed. Especially because terrorists KNOW they are being hunted and plan for it, people downloading illegal stuff in this country just figure their defense is in being part of a large group.

As to the constitutional question, I can only assume it's because many other countries have different priorities in forming their government that we do. Hell, WE don't even have the same priorities as we did back then. Imagine what the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments in particular would look like if we had to rewrite them today.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: zendari
It's probably a bit tougher to catch trained terrorists anywhere in the world than idiot Molly Polly who lives in this country.

Indeed. Especially because terrorists KNOW they are being hunted and plan for it, people downloading illegal stuff in this country just figure their defense is in being part of a large group.

As to the constitutional question, I can only assume it's because many other countries have different priorities in forming their government that we do. Hell, WE don't even have the same priorities as we did back then. Imagine what the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments in particular would look like if we had to rewrite them today.

And the 14th. Look what its become, never would have been even considered had people realized the sheer amount of bench legislation resulting from it.,

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: zendari

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: zendari
It's probably a bit tougher to catch trained terrorists anywhere in the world than idiot Molly Polly who lives in this country.

Indeed. Especially because terrorists KNOW they are being hunted and plan for it, people downloading illegal stuff in this country just figure their defense is in being part of a large group.

As to the constitutional question, I can only assume it's because many other countries have different priorities in forming their government that we do. Hell, WE don't even have the same priorities as we did back then. Imagine what the 1st, 2nd and 4th Amendments in particular would look like if we had to rewrite them today.

And the 14th. Look what its become, never would have been even considered had people realized the sheer amount of bench legislation resulting from it.,

Quite possibly. I guess I was thinking of the "basic" ones, but there is probably a lot beyond that.