Cyprus-Forum.com

[Leonidas]

A Must Read - A Message from England. I did not write this.
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No matter what your views on President Bush's statement of upcoming war, this, from an English journalist, is very interesting.
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Just a word of background for those of you who aren't familiar with the UK's Daily Mirror. This is a notoriously left-wing daily, that is normally not supportive of the Colonials across the Atlantic.
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Tony Parsons ... Daily Mirror ... September 11, 2002
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One year ago, the world witnessed a unique kind of broadcasting - the mass murder of thousands, live on television. As a lesson in the pitiless cruelty of the human race, September 11 was up there with Pol Pot's Mountain of Skulls in Cambodia, or the skeletal bodies stacked like garbage in the Nazi concentration camps.
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An unspeakable act so cruel, so calculated and so utterly merciless that surely the world could agree on one thing - nobody deserves this fate. Surely there could be consensus: The victims were truly innocent, the perpetrators truly evil.
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But to the world's eternal shame, 9/11 is increasingly seen as America's comeuppance.
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Incredibly, anti-Americanism has increased over the last year. There has always been a simmering resentment to the USA in this country; too loud, too rich, too full of themselves, and so much happier than Europeans but it has become an epidemic. And it seems incredible to me.
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More than that, it turns my stomach. America is this country's greatest friend and our staunchest ally. We are bonded to the US by culture, language and blood. A little over half a century ago, around half a million Americans died for our freedoms, as
well as their own. Have we forgotten so soon?
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And exactly a year ago, thousands of ordinary men, women and
children - not just Americans, but from dozens of countries - were butchered by a small group of religious fanatics. Are we so quick to betray them?
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What touched the heart about those who died in the Twin Towers and on the planes, was that we recognized them. Young fathers and mothers, somebody's son and somebody's daughter, husbands, wives, and children, some unborn.
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And these people brought it on themselves? Their nation is to blame for their meticulously planned slaughter?
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These days you don't have to be some dust-encrusted nut job in Kabul or Karachi or Finsbury Park to see America as the Great Satan. The anti-American alliance is made up of self-loathing liberals who blame the Americans for every ill in the Third World, and conservatives suffering from power-envy, bitter that the world's only superpower can do what it likes without having to ask permission.
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The truth is that America has behaved with enormous restraint since September 11.
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Remember ... remember ... remember ... the gut-wrenching tapes of weeping men phoning their wives to say, "I love you," before they were burned alive.
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Remember those people leaping to their deaths from the top of burning skyscrapers.
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Remember the hundreds of firemen buried alive.
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Remember the smiling face of that beautiful little girl who was on one of the planes with her mum.
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Remember ... remember ...
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And realize that America has never retaliated for 9/11 in anything like the way it could have.
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So a few al-Qaeda tourists got locked up without a trial in Camp X-ray? Pass the Kleenex ...
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So some Afghan wedding receptions were shot up after they merrily fired their semi-automatics in a sky full of American planes? A shame, but maybe next time they should stick to confetti.
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AMERICA could have turned a large chunk of the world into a parking lot. That it didn't, is a sign of strength.
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American voices are already being raised against attacking Iraq-that's what a democracy is for. How many in the Islamic world will have a minute's silence for the slaughtered innocents of 9/11? How many Islamic leaders will have the guts to say that the mass murder of 9/11 was an abomination?
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When the news of 9/11 broke on the West Bank, those freedom-loving Palestinians were dancing in the street. America watched all of that - and didn't push the button. We should thank the stars that America is the most powerful nation in the world. I still find it incredible that 9/11 did not provoke all-out war. Not a "war on terrorism." A real war.
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The fundamentalist dudes are talking about "opening the gates of hell" if America attacks Iraq. Well, America could have opened the gates of hell like you wouldn't believe.
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The US is the most militarily powerful nation that ever strode the face of the earth. The campaign in Afghanistan may have been less than perfect and the planned war on Iraq may be misconceived. But don't blame America for not bringing peace and light to these wretched countries. How many democracies are there in the Middle East, or in the Muslim world? You can count them on the fingers of one hand - assuming you haven't had any chopped off for minor shoplifting.
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I love America, yet America is hated. I guess that makes me Bush's poodle.
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But I would rather be a dog in New York City than a Prince in Riyadh. Above all, America is hated because it is what every country wants to be - rich, free, strong, open, optimistic. Not ground down by the past, or religion, or some caste system. America is the best friend this country ever had and we should start remembering that.
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Or do you really think the USA is the root of all evil? Tell it to
the loved ones of the men and women who leaped to their death from the burning towers. Tell it to the nursing mothers whose husbands died on one of the hijacked planes, or were ripped apart in a collapsing skyscraper. And tell it to the hundreds of young widows whose husbands worked for the New York Fire Department.
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To our shame, George Bush gets a worse press than Saddam Hussein.
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Once we were told that Saddam gassed the Kurds, tortured his own people and set up rape-camps in Kuwait. Now we are told he likes Quality Street. Save me the orange center, Oh Mighty One!
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One of the greatest atrocities in human history was committed against America.
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Remember ... remember ... September 11. No, do more than remember. Never forget.

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The following are my personal comments.
Cyprus whether it likes it or not needs to open up to the USA. Yes if we want a solution to the Cypriot problem it will only happen if the USA makes the push. BUT again. Why should they even bother when all the GC do is to condemn everything the US does?

Spare me the Imperialist comments made in another post. This country does not think the way you do. Turkey has been a great friend to the USA. Greece and Cyprus on the other hand have managed to show how much they HATE the USA. The burning of the American flag during a football game will never be forgotten.

Want a solution?? Learn from the Turkish Goverment. They know how to lobby in the USA. The Greeks and GCs suck at it royally.

I will not debate this post. It is here for all of you, Greek and Turkish Cypriots to open your eyes how the world turns. It has been 31 years. Isn' t it enough? Can you not put the past behind you?

Leonidas

[Leonidas]

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of Iraq regime has been completed.

Since congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.

This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now to begin the reckoning.

Before me , I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short. The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.

The other list contains everyone not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.

Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely . The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.

The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell-holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.

Need help with a famine? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .

In the future, together with Congress , I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.

Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France , or maybe China .

I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , Germany , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well. Bon chance, mes amis .

I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets . Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes , Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York

A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change.

Mexico is also on List 2. President Fox and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra tank and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put em ? Yep, border security. So start doing something with your oil.

Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA
treaty - starting now.


We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska - which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. They care.

It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, "darn tootin ."


Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought . Thanks guys . We owe you and we won't forget.

To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.



God bless America . Thank you and good night .



If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.

[sneezing7]

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?

".......To the nations on List 1, a final thought . Thanks guys . We owe you and we won't forget."

Interesting how the American govt "forgot" they owe the Australian govt a favour a couple of months ago.

When a Australian went missing in Costa Rica mid 2005, we asked if the American Consulate in Costa Rica could help (as we do not have a consul office there). The answer we received was a blunt "no...bad luck, hopefully he will turn up by himself"

So thank you CANADA for not being utter heartless pricks and helping out - on your own accord.

[Leonidas]

Have you given this thought?
Most Consulates have locals to andwer phones and such. I noticed the same in Cyprus years ago. I had to reach the US to get anywhere because the local secretary was too lazy to go the extra mile and help. Costa Rica probably has the same level of service as Cyprus does. Next to nothing!!!!!!!!!!!

We love you mates for helping out. No doubt on that. I bet you it was not the US goverment that said no.

[sneezing7]

This was not a clerical error.

The statement your "government" gave the Australian govt after appealing for help was

quote"....we are not responsible for Australian citizens on Costa Rican territory"end quote

Luckily we have friends like Canadians, who were willing to help.

Unfortunately Brendan , 24, was found dead some time later.

[Leonidas]

Ok I guess it is our fault AGAIN.
What did he do? How did he die?
There MUST be a reason why
It is not ALWAYS the US goverment's fault.
There are matters that they will not get involved even for US citizens.
Especially civil issues

[devil]

Leonidas, you are sick.

[Leonidas]

Comimg from the devil ?
oh well

[Leonidas]

Besides the 2nd posting was Hypothetical.
Of course the Liberal mind will find a negative twist to it all.
Why have no one made a comment on the ACTUAL article?
Because it is true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leonidas]

Hey Yiannaki
Give this a try
Thanks
Leo