444 réponses à ce sujet

[Irishfafnir]

tractrpl wrote...

Irishfafnir wrote...

I don't know about boosting our economy, getting involved in proxy wars in Afghanstan for the Soviets and Vietnam for the Americans was expensive.Having to maintain 5,000 marines in australia because of Chinese concerns won't be cheap. But the last American Ambassador to the USSR was at my school last fall and argued that it would have been better for the Soviet Union to stay intact because it would have been useful in applying diplomatic pressure in areas like the Middle East to avoid conflict. Essentially the United States would not have had to function as the world's only policemen.

I'm not sure I agreed with him, but the USSR was useful in helping to limit and stop some of the Arab-Israeli wars.

I don't think I buy it either. I mean the crap that the US did just to counter the growth of Russia REALLY came back to bite us on the butt later, don't you think?

The Russian overinflated military budget and economic system certainly came back to bite them in the butt. 

I don't know if the cold war was "best" for America. IT certainly enabled the rapid growth of new technologies( Such as the space program) and did enable important legislation be passed like the interstate highway system.

Also made us popular with the world and increased our global power, led to the development of NATO and other regional defensive groups.

It did fundamentally change the United States foreign policy forever. Prior to the second world war we were pretty much limited to the Pacfic and South America, it has greatly expanded since.

HArd to say if it was ultimately "Good" for america. Do Think it was "good" for the world.

Modifié par Irishfafnir, 29 avril 2012 - 03:09 .

[medcsu]

China's worst nightmare would be a working/solid relationship between the US and Russia (and it is going that way) while Japan and the US remain on very good economic/alliance terms. China has some gorgeous cities. I actually enjoyed my time there very much. However, it is a coastal country with the middle/low class seeming to live on top of eachother, quite literally. The Chinese economy needs America very badly, as well. If we pulled out all interests and cut all trade it would utterly cripple them. We can go back and forth about China this/China that, but the bottom line, as I see it is they have made some great strides in the last 15 years but still depend largely on stolen tech/deception, have a decent military at best (outside of their large standing force which wouldn't do much in modern war, especially with the large ocean seperating the countries), and have insanely putrid human rights issues that still occur. Like I said, I enjoyed my time(s) there but they are nothing to get worried about. Russia still holds that spot even after their economic collapse. You claim a person should stand up for something or else they agree with it? Well I have yet to see you say anything about the Chinese human rights issues therefore you must agree with them, right? I shouldnt even ask this since you blamed the US military for China stealing some information. Sure it was their stupidity that led to it, but I love how you don't touch what China did but blame the states. classic.

Modifié par medcsu, 29 avril 2012 - 03:11 .

[tractrpl]

Yes, well, I think the cold war elevated far too many people's blood pressure. I, for one, am glad it's over. I'm not nearly as worried about China as I was about the USSR. Muslim terrorists are some concern, but not a threat that could destroy the USA IMO.

Modifié par tractrpl, 29 avril 2012 - 03:16 .

[tractrpl]

medcsu wrote...

China's worst nightmare would be a working/solid relationship between the US and Russia (and it is going that way) while Japan and the US remain on very good economic/alliance terms. China has some gorgeous cities. I actually enjoyed my time there very much. However, it is a coastal country with the middle/low class seeming to live on top of eachother, quite literally. The Chinese economy needs America very badly, as well. If we pulled out all interests and cut all trade it would utterly cripple them. We can go back and forth about China this/China that, but the bottom line, as I see it is they have made some great strides in the last 15 years but still depend largely on stolen tech/deception, have a decent military at best (outside of their large standing force which wouldn't do much in modern war, especially with the large ocean seperating the countries), and have insanely putrid human rights issues that still occur. Like I said, I enjoyed my time(s) there but they are nothing to get worried about. Russia still holds that spot even after their economic collapse.

Hmmm, actually I think Russia's worst nightmare is a solid working relationship between the US/China. I think they're trying hard to make themselves more indespensible with China and are doing whatever they can to agree with China. I think China uses Russia as leverage against us, and Russia just...I don't know what Russia's trying to do, pretend like they still matter? Trying to convince us that they're still important? Jealous much? But in the end, if the sh*t hit the fan, China values their relationship with the USA FAR more than they do Russia's.

[Irishfafnir]

medcsu wrote...

China's worst nightmare would be a working/solid relationship between the US and Russia (and it is going that way) while Japan and the US remain on very good economic/alliance terms. China has some gorgeous cities. I actually enjoyed my time there very much. However, it is a coastal country with the middle/low class seeming to live on top of eachother, quite literally. The Chinese economy needs America very badly, as well. If we pulled out all interests and cut all trade it would utterly cripple them. We can go back and forth about China this/China that, but the bottom line, as I see it is they have made some great strides in the last 15 years but still depend largely on stolen tech/deception, have a decent military at best (outside of their large standing force which wouldn't do much in modern war, especially with the large ocean seperating the countries), and have insanely putrid human rights issues that still occur. Like I said, I enjoyed my time(s) there but they are nothing to get worried about. Russia still holds that spot even after their economic collapse.

I would disagree about a working/solid relationship between the United States and Russa. Putin's rhetoric has become increasingly hostile towards the United States recently, and Russia has the same problem as China of supporting hostile totalitarian regimes. Bush's proposed Missle shield in Poland/Czech Republic also really agitated the Russians. I also think if the Republicans win this fall, they will adopt a more hostile approach to Russia, whereas Obama has come off as "weak". I don't think real change can come to US/Russian relations until Putin and his party are removed from office and a true democratic system gets put in place. But I think Russia is increasinly irrelavant on the global scale shrinking population, slow economy, decaying military. They don't even make the 10 list for largest economies on some lists.

I don't think anyone is proposing that the United States embarago China or anything like that, obviously the impact would be large. But its important to remember that the Soviet Union and the USA still traded throughout the cold war. Although I do think that China needs us far more then we need China. Many of the goods imported from China are made with low skill labor that could be produced ( I believe) in other developing countries such as India. By contrast the goods china gets from the United States and Western Europe are relatively high skilled.

[Irishfafnir]

tractrpl wrote...

medcsu wrote...

China's worst nightmare would be a working/solid relationship between the US and Russia (and it is going that way) while Japan and the US remain on very good economic/alliance terms. China has some gorgeous cities. I actually enjoyed my time there very much. However, it is a coastal country with the middle/low class seeming to live on top of eachother, quite literally. The Chinese economy needs America very badly, as well. If we pulled out all interests and cut all trade it would utterly cripple them. We can go back and forth about China this/China that, but the bottom line, as I see it is they have made some great strides in the last 15 years but still depend largely on stolen tech/deception, have a decent military at best (outside of their large standing force which wouldn't do much in modern war, especially with the large ocean seperating the countries), and have insanely putrid human rights issues that still occur. Like I said, I enjoyed my time(s) there but they are nothing to get worried about. Russia still holds that spot even after their economic collapse.

Hmmm, actually I think Russia's worst nightmare is a solid working relationship between the US/China. I think they're trying hard to make themselves more indespensible with China and are doing whatever they can to agree with China. I think China uses Russia as leverage against us, and Russia just...I don't know what Russia's trying to do, pretend like they still matter? Trying to convince us that they're still important? Jealous much? But in the end, if the sh*t hit the fan, China values their relationship with the USA FAR more than they do Russia's.

Agree with Russia becoming increasingly not relevant . They did sign a defense treaty a  few years ago calling for serious discussions if either was attacked by the US.

[tractrpl]

Irishfafnir wrote...

I would disagree about a working/solid relationship between the United States and Russa. Putin's rhetoric has become increasingly hostile towards the United States recently, and Russia has the same problem as China of supporting hostile totalitarian regimes. Bush's proposed Missle shield in Poland/Czech Republic also really agitated the Russians. I also think if the Republicans win this fall, they will adopt a more hostile approach to Russia, whereas Obama has come off as "weak". I don't think real change can come to US/Russian relations until Putin and his party are removed from office and a true democratic system gets put in place. But I think Russia is increasinly irrelavant on the global scale shrinking population, slow economy, decaying military. They don't even make the 10 list for largest economies on some lists.

I don't think anyone is proposing that the United States embarago China or anything like that, obviously the impact would be large. But its important to remember that the Soviet Union and the USA still traded throughout the cold war. Although I do think that China needs us far more then we need China. Many of the goods imported from China are made with low skill labor that could be produced ( I believe) in other developing countries such as India. By contrast the goods china gets from the United States and Western Europe are relatively high skilled.

I agree with you totally, with only one exception, calling Obama "weak". He's authorized a crapton more strikes in Pakistan than Bush, killing thousands of militants, and killed at least 20 top Al Qaeda operatives outside of the theater of war in Iraq or Afghanistan in places like Yemen and Pakistan. A snarky commentator said it best:

Yes, I know President Obama is a noble and saintly man of peace who uses unmanned drones only to assassinate America’s foes in unprecedented numbers after wrestling with his conscience for anything up to ... 10 seconds.  

Modifié par tractrpl, 29 avril 2012 - 03:35 .

[tractrpl]

Speaking of drone strikes, I work basically in a UAV field. If you have the stomach and want to hear tales of splattered Taliban, just let me know. I spent over a year in Sangin, Afghanistan helping Marines put major warheads on foreheads. Good times.

But right now, I'm gonna hit the sack. Goodnight.

Modifié par tractrpl, 29 avril 2012 - 03:38 .

[Irishfafnir]

tractrpl wrote...

Irishfafnir wrote...

I would disagree about a working/solid relationship between the United States and Russa. Putin's rhetoric has become increasingly hostile towards the United States recently, and Russia has the same problem as China of supporting hostile totalitarian regimes. Bush's proposed Missle shield in Poland/Czech Republic also really agitated the Russians. I also think if the Republicans win this fall, they will adopt a more hostile approach to Russia, whereas Obama has come off as "weak". I don't think real change can come to US/Russian relations until Putin and his party are removed from office and a true democratic system gets put in place. But I think Russia is increasinly irrelavant on the global scale shrinking population, slow economy, decaying military. They don't even make the 10 list for largest economies on some lists.

I don't think anyone is proposing that the United States embarago China or anything like that, obviously the impact would be large. But its important to remember that the Soviet Union and the USA still traded throughout the cold war. Although I do think that China needs us far more then we need China. Many of the goods imported from China are made with low skill labor that could be produced ( I believe) in other developing countries such as India. By contrast the goods china gets from the United States and Western Europe are relatively high skilled.

I agree with you totally, with only one exception, calling Obama "weak". He's authorized a crapton more strikes in Pakistan than Bush, killing thousands of militants, and killed at least 20 top Al Qaeda operatives outside of the theater of war in Iraq or Afghanistan in places like Yemen and Pakistan. A snarky commentator said it best:

Yes, I know President Obama is a noble and saintly man of peace who uses unmanned drones only to assassinate America’s foes in unprecedented numbers after wrestling with his conscience for anything up to ... 10 seconds.  

Weak in his regard to Russia certainly. Especially after the mic incident

[Halfdan The Menace]

Captain_Obvious_au wrote...

MrMcDoll wrote...

Captain_Obvious_au wrote...

Actually James would have been a great character to have as a Pacific Islander or Kiwi given their general build.

Wait what!??

I'm a Kiwi and I'm skinny and small, also I'm white.

Are all Pacific Islanders and (i'm going to assume you meant Maori, not Kiwis) Giant lumbering hulks??

Cos if so, maybe I'm not actually in New Zealand but in a very advanced Virtual Reality!!

Ha, I'd argue that all Kiwi's are VI's anyway :-p No I did mean Maori's alongside pacific islanders.

I'm Malayo/Austronesian and you expect me to look like Rikishi? or Umaga? what's up with that? lol  ;-P

[Halfdan The Menace]

tractrpl wrote...

Hmmm, actually I think Russia's worst nightmare is a solid working relationship between the US/China. I think they're trying hard to make themselves more indespensible with China and are doing whatever they can to agree with China. I think China uses Russia as leverage against us, and Russia just...I don't know what Russia's trying to do, pretend like they still matter? Trying to convince us that they're still important? Jealous much? But in the end, if the sh*t hit the fan, China values their relationship with the USA FAR more than they do Russia's.

Not important? The Russians nearly launched a nuclear missile toward the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lucky us eh?

Modifié par Anubian Rebel, 29 avril 2012 - 06:39 .

[Irishfafnir]

Anubian Rebel wrote...

tractrpl wrote...

Hmmm, actually I think Russia's worst nightmare is a solid working relationship between the US/China. I think they're trying hard to make themselves more indespensible with China and are doing whatever they can to agree with China. I think China uses Russia as leverage against us, and Russia just...I don't know what Russia's trying to do, pretend like they still matter? Trying to convince us that they're still important? Jealous much? But in the end, if the sh*t hit the fan, China values their relationship with the USA FAR more than they do Russia's.

Not important? The Russians nearly launched a nuclear missile toward the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lucky us eh?

USSR and Russia are two different political entities. Pakistan can launch nuclear missles right now, but that doesn't really make them political heavy weights

[ShadowBrumby]

Seriously? In almost every first world country there are ethnic centers where alot of the population is Asian, Caucasian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin or European. Now you say Miranda is Australian but that's because of her VA, she's a genetically engineered from her "father's" DNA so that would make her of the same descent. Secondly, english is basically the dominant language on Earth and any other colony making it the 'trade language' throughout the territory of Systems Alliance. Even though Shepard may have a strong western influence voice, you can make him from any ethnic group you want and don't forget he can be born on Earth, on a colony or on a ship. But this is what it is about, you're lumping characters on where they were born based on their VA. In all the profile's I've seen on those characters, I've only seen the mention on what planet they were born (Save for Traynor, Anderson and the newscaster.) If you want more multiculutralism for Mass Effect 3 or Mass Effect in general then send the team an email with some suggestions, if not write a fan fiction.

[Hogge87]

Are you referring to their place of origin, or their race?
If we're talking race, then Jacob's obviously Afro-American, while Ashley seems latino-ish.

Anyway, it seems likely that Normandy, which is an american ship (probably) has an american crew, while Dreadnought Warsaw might have a mostly slavic crew.

[Shermos]

It's cheaper and easier (mainly easier) for Bioware to hire Western voice actors and actresses. Notice that Kasumi has an American accent lol. They only went so far as to hire a Japanese American.

It's understandable but still kind of annoying. As if the Americans will be dominating space exploration in the 22nd century. There are times when you have to put realism aside and just enjoy the story.

[Nefla]

I feel like at one point, maybe...this thread had something to do with ME3 and not US/China relations o_O

[Horacio Zhao]

hmmmmmm, because the designers are most western people? So you design something familiar, right? like japanese games are full of japaneses, chinese and so on. Nothing weird I think

[DiegoRaphael]

sevach wrote...

Maria Caliban wrote...

I thought Ash was Brazilian?

She was trained in Brazil, so was Shepard actually, but that doesn't make her Brazilian, could be, but Williams isn't a name that says Brazil to me.

Shepard can be pretty much anything you want, just work the face generator.

Actually, William(n) (without the S in the end) is a very common first name here in Brazil.

[ME 3]

i thought that shepard was Canadian,
and
You Humans Are All Racist!