Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id VAA03008 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 26 Feb 2002 21:18:56 GMT From: "Lawrence DeBivort" <debivort@umd5.umd.edu> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Rumsfeld Says He May Drop New Office of Influence Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 15:30:53 -0500 Message-ID: <NEBBKOADILIOKGDJLPMAEEACCMAA.debivort@umd5.umd.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) In-Reply-To: <A31CD956-2AF0-11D6-95F1-003065A0F24C@harvard.edu> Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Ouch, what a depressing thought. The political scientist in me will attempt
to rise to the challenge shortly....
I understand that you are not flag-waving.
Lawrence
OK, for good government policy, got a quick one: the establishment of the
USAID program (humanitarian and socio/economic development assistance to, at
latest count, some 72 countries). USAID was formed on the Truman post WWII
Four Points. It has over the years done a super job, though occassionally
misused (as in the last decade or so) for distorted purposes (e.g. massive
aid to Egypt and Israel to support the pretence that they are in a 'peace
process,' and lately, massive military aid to Colombia for the "war on
drugs." These are the three largest USAID programs, and true humanitarian
and development assistance has taken a back seat, as a result.
Also, the Peace Corps. And Fullbright and later Pell scholarships.
Switzerland's Neutrality policy.
How am I doing?
Lawrence
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk [mailto:fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk]On Behalf
> Of Wade Smith
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 2:40 PM
> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Subject: Re: Rumsfeld Says He May Drop New Office of Influence
>
>
> On Tuesday, February 26, 2002, at 01:39 , Lawrence DeBivort wrote:
>
> > what we are doing - Afghanistan, "war on terrorism" language,
> > Ashcroft legal actions, emphasis on hardening US targets rather than
> > defusing terrorist motivation -- all of this is stupid and ineffective.
>
> Can you point to an _unstupid_ national policy and actions,
> anywhere in the world? We all want enlightened leaders, but
> really, I personally don't know of any government anywhere that
> is a shining example of non-stupidity.
>
> And I'm _not_ trying to wave any flags.
>
> - Wade
>
>
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