How to peacefully defeat the USA

Cork Boy

As much as I hate Bush, he's only marginally worse than any past president in my opinion. What Bush does is nothing new - he just doesn't sweet talk you while f*cking you at the same time!

The ironic thing is that the USA could be bought to its knees without a single shot being fired. If every person in Europe were to spend an extra few Euro on buying home produce or non-US produce where possible/practicle the US economy would dive into a recession not seen since the 1930's (the country is already hugely in debt and being propped up by foreign - especially Asian - investors due to the favourably weak dollar).

But not only that, it would strengthen our own economies too and promote a more just world trade environment [though lets not forget our own disgraceful record on food dumping in Africa].

Even if just for one day or one week every EU citizen were to boycott all US products, services, TV stations, websites, etc I think the result would be very profound.

People may argue that a US retaliation would cripple our export economy and we are not strong enough to start an economic war with the US. I disagree, the US has a lot more people living below the poverty line than you may think - they're not buying Bailey's, Waterford Crystal, French cheeses, German cars, British steel, etc.

We actually don't need the US for any imports. We can get fruit from South America, clothes from home and throughout the world, cars from France, Germany and Japan, fuel from the air blowing over our heads, the waves eroding our coasts, the rivers that have sustained us throughout the millenia and the sun that has stopped us freezing to death.

So come on people, what say we aim to hit the US where it really hurts - their pockets at Christmas time - we could be organized by then!!!

Or of course you can ignore me as a consiracy theorsit nut and ignore little things like how Cineworld on Parnell St took down all but one of its Borat movie promotional items after it was banned from the White House.

Are ye with me?

Sgt. Sensible

Cork Boy wrote:

Are ye with me?

Not really no. What's the point and why not China.

Attractive Nun

Yay! Let's cripple the world's economy for no apparent reason!

Before I even get into the reasons why America is not the evil empire it's often made out to be, why such action would be extremely harmful to the European economy, and why it would be utterly impossible and ineffective anyway, may I ask one question?

What would you be hoping to achieve here?

Cork Boy

Sgt. Sensible wrote:

Not really no. What's the point and why not China.

Anything we buy that's coming from China tends to be Nike or some other US sweatshop operator.

Regarding whats the point? This exercise has many points -

1.War is a costly business and needs to be funded somehow - we can cut that funding.

2. To promote indegineous and fair trade industries.

3. To help stop the death of international culture by the spread of global homogenous brands.

I won't insult anyone who disagrees with me for one minute - in fact I welcome anyone who can identify flaws so that they may be rectified.

I'm not sure what this is,but its not a discussion on politics,so not suitable for the politics board.
I'll move it to after hours and the mods there can let it run,lock it or do whatever.

Sgt. Sensible

Cork Boy wrote:

Anything we buy that's coming from China tends to be Nike or some other US sweatshop operator.

Regarding whats the point? This exercise has many points -

1.War is a costly business and needs to be funded somehow - we can cut that funding.

2. To promote indegineous and fair trade industries.

3. To help stop the death of international culture by the spread of global homogenous brands.

I won't insult anyone who disagrees with me for one minute - in fact I welcome anyone who can identify flaws so that they may be rectified.

You don't understand China and you're taking the nationalist line that the world would be nicer if the US was sorted out somehow. Capitalism (which is what I assume your beef is with) is not confined to the US. Read some Marx and Adam Smith please.

bounty

im boycotting all cork produce in retaliation

Cork Boy

I've no beef with Capitalism - as long as their is some sort of Government intervention. Unbridled capitalism is what I have a problem with where MNC's have more power than local governments.

I never said America is an evil empire - their is a tiny percentage of very wealthy people who control that country though and use its secret service and army to further their commercial interests to the detriment of US security and international security.

With regards to crippling the world economy you seem to forget that a lot of the world's economies are beyond crippled - I'm just proposing we try to help to distribute a small portion of our wealth to those who need it most.

And for the man who wants to boycott all Cork products - you've obviously never tasted Clonakilty Black Pudding!!!

slipss

So you want to bring about a "recession not seen since the 1930s" in the USA? Would you not think that would be a bit harsh on all the couples living in America with four kids working minimum wage jobs that would be left homeless and hungry if that happened? You do realise that it is the poor that suffer most in a recession and that the "tiny percentage of very wealthy people who control that country" sit back in their mansions and wait it out? And as you say "the US has a lot more people living below the poverty line than you may think"

Just out of curiosity what make is the computer you used to post this thread? Does it use Microsoft Windows or a Mac operating system? Does it contain an Intel processor?

Lust4Life

LOL! The Illegal Mexican Immigrants in America tried that one day last year in May.

Shoplifting percentage on that one day went down by 50% thus boosting the US econemy more!

Cork Boy

Ok I admit I went a bit overboard with the whole recession thing. The basic point I'm trying to make is that why should we pour money into companies who fund Bush's illegal wars?

sceptre

Cork Boy wrote:

Ok I admit I went a bit overboard with the whole recession thing.

Just a bit, eh.

And I'm waiting for a wind-powered car. Preferably one that flies, I've mentioned this before.

The basic point I'm trying to make is that why should we pour money into companies who fund Bush's illegal wars?

I don't know. Name a few of these companies you'd like boycotted and someone might be able to tell you. Without that there's no chance of a discussion even using your revised/moved-goalpost guidelines.

bluto63

From a very simple point of view: The USA has good products/services. That's why we buy from there. I'm not gonna change. I like the USA

Ruu_Old

bluto63 wrote:

From a very simple point of view: The USA has good products/services. That's why we buy from there. I'm not gonna change. I like the USA

Agreed.

Worst.Thread.Evar.

I think I'll pay double the price for the same product in Ireland thank you very much!:p

pvt. joker

Cork Boy wrote:

As much as I hate Bush, he's only marginally worse than any past president in my opinion. What Bush does is nothing new - he just doesn't sweet talk you while f*cking you at the same time!

The ironic thing is that the USA could be bought to its knees without a single shot being fired. If every person in Europe were to spend an extra few Euro on buying home produce or non-US produce where possible/practicle the US economy would dive into a recession not seen since the 1930's (the country is already hugely in debt and being propped up by foreign - especially Asian - investors due to the favourably weak dollar).

But not only that, it would strengthen our own economies too and promote a more just world trade environment [though lets not forget our own disgraceful record on food dumping in Africa].

Even if just for one day or one week every EU citizen were to boycott all US products, services, TV stations, websites, etc I think the result would be very profound.

People may argue that a US retaliation would cripple our export economy and we are not strong enough to start an economic war with the US. I disagree, the US has a lot more people living below the poverty line than you may think - they're not buying Bailey's, Waterford Crystal, French cheeses, German cars, British steel, etc.

We actually don't need the US for any imports. We can get fruit from South America, clothes from home and throughout the world, cars from France, Germany and Japan, fuel from the air blowing over our heads, the waves eroding our coasts, the rivers that have sustained us throughout the millenia and the sun that has stopped us freezing to death.

So come on people, what say we aim to hit the US where it really hurts - their pockets at Christmas time - we could be organized by then!!!

Or of course you can ignore me as a consiracy theorsit nut and ignore little things like how Cineworld on Parnell St took down all but one of its Borat movie promotional items after it was banned from the White House.

Are ye with me?

at least one thing in the world is consistent. the ignorant ramblings of college students who think they understand the world and the way it works.

pvt. joker

and one other thing before bed. how is the US, Bush, the middle east, iraq or a war between iraq and the US any of your business? a lot of people in the US don't agree with the war, or the president. If you recall he only won a second term by 2%. Let's not lump all americans in one basket.

Calhoun

what a load of crap. I work for a US multi-national the same could be said for alot of people in Ireland. Without foreign investment i doubt our econemy would be so good. If i remember correctly Pfizer the pharmacuticals company in cork puts 1 Billion in wages into the country a year.

So yeah lets hit the US were it hurts and while we are at it lets mess ourselves up, sure we will be the ones who need the wealth distributed to them when things go to ****.

bizmark

pvt. joker wrote:

at least one thing in the world is consistent. the ignorant ramblings of college students who think they understand the world and the way it works.

Amen

pvt. joker

i think if anything we (ireland and the US) need to stick together. americans have learned a lot during bush jr's term...namely that the us is not a true democracy (little thing called the electorial college ruins that theory).

i'm one of the many people in the US that is opening his eyes to the fact that we no longer live in a true democracy...if anything it's a fascist regime. the latest executive order allowing "terrorists" to be incarcerated without a trial further backs that up.

The Hill Billy

bounty wrote:

im boycotting all cork produce in retaliation

BREAKING NEWS:
Reports are coming in that traffic on Patrick Street is bumper-to-bumper already because of a build up of unsold drisheen & Ballymaloe Country Relish.

More later...

scojones

pvt. joker wrote:

at least one thing in the world is consistent. the ignorant ramblings of college students who think they understand the world and the way it works.

Haha, too true.

Dreamcrusher

Cork Boy wrote:

Anything we buy that's coming from China tends to be Nike or some other US sweatshop operator.

Regarding whats the point? This exercise has many points -

1.War is a costly business and needs to be funded somehow - we can cut that funding.

2. To promote indegineous and fair trade industries.

3. To help stop the death of international culture by the spread of global homogenous brands.

I won't insult anyone who disagrees with me for one minute - in fact I welcome anyone who can identify flaws so that they may be rectified.

Good god. Yes, lets do it, and then, lets hug some trees. hugging trees has been proven to increase thier oxygen producing capacity and makes air taste like the sweet air of freedom. Take THAT, bush!
I wonder if any of the people who would post/think such rubbish have ever even to the states, or even outside of cork, apparrently. And if youre so concenred about corrupt governments, why not try pooling your efforts into removing our very own corrupt government right at home, before your crusade against the great satan gets off the ground. good luck with that.

KTRIC

Can someone name a product that we actually need every day that is exported from the US ??

And don't say Intel CPU's (made in Leixlip) and Microsoft OS's :rolleyes:

Jack B. Badd

Does the OP realise that the US economy is tied in with the global economy and not a completely isolated animal? Wait, I think I'll answer my own question...clearly not.
*me sighs*

The Hill Billy

KTRIC wrote:

Can someone name a product that we actually need every day that is exported from the US ??

Uncle Ben's long grain rice.

humanji

KTRIC wrote:

And don't say Intel CPU's (made in Leixlip) and Microsoft OS's :rolleyes:

Why can't we say them?

RedPlanet

pvt. joker wrote:

i think if anything we (ireland and the US) need to stick together. americans have learned a lot during bush jr's term...namely that the us is not a true democracy (little thing called the electorial college ruins that theory).

i'm one of the many people in the US that is opening his eyes to the fact that we no longer live in a true democracy...if anything it's a fascist regime. the latest executive order allowing "terrorists" to be incarcerated without a trial further backs that up.

Actually i think it's not that specific.
The bill doesn't stipulate "terrorists" nor "terrorism", rather people can be lifted and held indefinately for commiting "hostile acts" against the United States.
Such "hostile" actions are not defined, other than the President gets to decide.
For example a journalist writing a scathing editorial of US foreign policy may fall under such a definition.
It makes sense i suppose (in their worldview), afterall i remember the US bombed a televison station in Yugoslavia intentionally and later defended the action saying they were a mouthpiece for state propaganda.

Mossy Monk

KTRIC wrote:

And don't say Intel CPU's (made in Leixlip)

why not? if the US economy went belly up dou you think that because the chips are made in Leixlip that they wouldnt be affected

Bogus

My daughter visited New York a few weeks ago and brought me back a souvenir King Kong/Empire State Building ash-tray. The most interesting part of this archetypal American souvenir was the barcode underneath. This told me that it was made in China.

I've heard many reports of Americans not buying their own stuff because it's too expensive. This means that the Chinese have a huge hold over the American economy, so if anyone is going to "stick" it to the Americans, it's going to be the Chinese. When that day comes we'll all be in the s***!

Jack B. Badd

Bogus wrote:

The most interesting part of this archetypal American souvenir was the barcode underneath. This told me that it was made in China.

No great shock, everything is made in China now.

astrofool

It's time for all of us to focus our energy and get this hippie jam into full swing.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Jack B. Badd

daveirl wrote:

This post has been deleted.

I suggest a coup

Diogenes

sceptre wrote:

Just a bit, eh.

And I'm waiting for a wind-powered car. Preferably one that flies, I've mentioned this before.

You'd be wanting one of these

As for the OP I'm not even going to bother. Your grasp of Global Economies leaves so much to be desired.

ScumLord

Can someone name a product that we actually need every day that is exported from the US ??

That's what I was thinking, most "American style" foods in our shops are made in europe.

The Americans are rubish at making things, all I can think of that they make is medical, software and tools. They can't manufacture for ****, who in their right mind would buy an American car? Their falling behind most the world in that respect.

At the end of the day the only people that buy American are Americans it's a huge Economy and they don't need to look outside it.

lostexpectation

Cork Boy wrote:

As much as I hate Bush, he's only marginally worse than any past president in my opinion. What Bush does is nothing new - he just doesn't sweet talk you while f*cking you at the same time!

The ironic thing is that the USA could be bought to its knees without a single shot being fired. If every person in Europe were to spend an extra few Euro on buying home produce or non-US produce where possible/practicle the US economy would dive into a recession not seen since the 1930's (the country is already hugely in debt and being propped up by foreign - especially Asian - investors due to the favourably weak dollar).

But not only that, it would strengthen our own economies too and promote a more just world trade environment [though lets not forget our own disgraceful record on food dumping in Africa].

Even if just for one day or one week every EU citizen were to boycott all US products, services, TV stations, websites, etc I think the result would be very profound.

People may argue that a US retaliation would cripple our export economy and we are not strong enough to start an economic war with the US. I disagree, the US has a lot more people living below the poverty line than you may think - they're not buying Bailey's, Waterford Crystal, French cheeses, German cars, British steel, etc.

We actually don't need the US for any imports. We can get fruit from South America, clothes from home and throughout the world, cars from France, Germany and Japan, fuel from the air blowing over our heads, the waves eroding our coasts, the rivers that have sustained us throughout the millenia and the sun that has stopped us freezing to death.

So come on people, what say we aim to hit the US where it really hurts - their pockets at Christmas time - we could be organized by then!!!

Or of course you can ignore me as a consiracy theorsit nut and ignore little things like how Cineworld on Parnell St took down all but one of its Borat movie promotional items after it was banned from the White House.

Are ye with me?

Lets consume for democracy

coyote6

I didn't realize I was oppressing the nations when I worked a 16 hour day yesterday. I guess earning money to feed four kids and pay a mortgage is "evil". This threadstarter needs to get a job and grow up. Would the world would be better if guys like that ran it?

Dooom

I'll stick with my Luck Charms thank you very much.

/wanders off to find a pack

Hill Billy

Hill Billy wrote:

BREAKING NEWS:
Reports are coming in that traffic on Patrick Street is bumper-to-bumper already because of a build up of unsold drisheen & Ballymaloe Country Relish.

I would gladly boycott McDonald's sober, or after 11am. But dammit, have you had a BigMac after a night on the booze, or one of their breakfasts? They can bomb Pakistan back to the stone age as long as they keep those beauties coming.

Dooom

Pff BigMac...Double Quarter Pounder with cheese ftw!

oRlyYaRly

McChicken Sandwhich owns all and you know it.

pvt. joker

RedPlanet wrote:

Actually i think it's not that specific.
The bill doesn't stipulate "terrorists" nor "terrorism", rather people can be lifted and held indefinately for commiting "hostile acts" against the United States.
Such "hostile" actions are not defined, other than the President gets to decide.
For example a journalist writing a scathing editorial of US foreign policy may fall under such a definition.
It makes sense i suppose (in their worldview), afterall i remember the US bombed a televison station in Yugoslavia intentionally and later defended the action saying they were a mouthpiece for state propaganda.

:shakeshead:

during this same timespan, a bill was passed making it illegal to gamble online. Who's f'ing business is it if i play poker online for money? They know they can't regulate it or tax it, so they make it illegal. Democracy at it's finest.

DublinWriter

Hill Billy wrote:

Ballymaloe Country Relish.

Drool.

The short answer is do nothing, because the US economy is a ticking time-bomb due to:

A. The current US balance of trade deficit
B. The rumoured push within OPEC to switch its trading currency from US Dollars to Euros.

Now go to the top of the class the bright young student to can corelate A with B. Hint: It involves the value of the US Dollar.

Black Swan

We are all together on this planet. Why cannot we work together towards world peace as citizens of the world rather than to look for reasons to hurt each other? Why not put all this hurtful energy towards doing some good, rather than to find some short sighted solution to divide us? Further, to assume (and we know what that word means) that all US Americans are the same, is just as foolish as to assume that all Irish are the same. It's even more foolish to assume (there's that word again) that all US Americans support Bush or the war in Iraq. And before someone pounces on me, it would be the ultimate of foolishness to assume that I am a US American if you don't care for what I say in this post (just cause I show my location as So Cal* beaches at the moment).

Ever read the book, How the Irish Saved Civilisation? Well, can't we do it again? Grand Irish authors, write something of value again!


*It might be of further interest to note that California is the largest of the 50 states in population and cast its electoral votes against Bush in the past two presidential elections.

Killaqueen!!!

It could work but...what about the fine programmes on ABC like Lost and Prison Break and Desperate Housewives. We wouldn't be getting them thanks to the crazy Americans. And I am not boycotting the US if it means we'll lose great tv.

Bogus

You can ignore the TV series as they generally pull the plug on them halfway through so that we never actually see the finished article. The ratings method seems to be quite popular for most things in the US e.g. Overseas skirmishes - If the ratings for one war drops, then George W goes off and starts another one.

EOA_Mushy

pvt. joker wrote:

at least one thing in the world is consistent. the ignorant ramblings of college students who think they understand the world and the way it works.

It does not work.

Do all who disagree so adamantly also fully support the American invasions of Afghanistan, Iraq etc...

Do you care about these countries people who are not only below the poverty line but now also have lost their limbs, children & homes?

The people of a country are, meant to be, the voice of the countries actions. If America commits these atrocities then their people are to blame. They vote.

Which brings me back to my original point -> It does not work

[edit...] One other thing, you who see these college students to be iggnorant are simply weak having given up even the idea that some thing you do could posibly change some thing that you all ready know to be b0llox.

Bob the Builder

I personaly hate Bush and will assasinate him with my hands if need b, but either way, we can't stereotype America by their president.
Same way we can't stereotype Ireland for what Bertie has done. Full Stop.

I foyu want to go buy European, go and do it. good Lad! but we'll stick buying american products.

..and No, Boards is not racist. We do not supprt ruining the american economy like you...

dSTAR

pvt. joker wrote:

at least one thing in the world is consistent. the ignorant ramblings of college students who think they understand the world and the way it works.

I am 100% with you on that one.

The whole anti-Bush/US/War movement stems from a very limited view of world affairs. Who cares if you once read a Chomsky book and think that the US is responsible for all the problems in the world?

I'd rather have a powerful United States wielding a stick over rogue nations than a United States in disarray while every two-bit country arms itself to the gills and starts attacking other countries.

EOA_Mushy

nevf wrote:

I personaly hate Bush and will assasinate him with my hands if need b, but either way, we can't stereotype America by their president.
Same way we can't stereotype Ireland for what Bertie has done. Full Stop.

I foyu want to go buy European, go and do it. good Lad! but we'll stick buying american products.

..and No, Boards is not racist. We do not supprt ruining the american economy like you...

I dont believe you have got the point.

Amarican actions do happen. American people just happen to be a group of humans whos opinions help these actions to happen. If they can or will not do some thing to rectify the problems others should take the task.

EOA_Mushy

dSTAR wrote:

I am 100% with you on that one.

The whole anti-Bush/US/War movement stems from a very limited view of world affairs. Who cares if you once read a Chomsky book and think that the US is responsible for all the problems in the world?

I'd rather have a powerful United States wielding a stick over rogue nations than a United States in disarray while every two-bit country arms itself to the gills and starts attacking other countries.

And if ireland had oil?