Iran Air 655 Incident- ACI last night.

[Jabba_TG12]

Originally Posted by beardy

It's not the sympathy that is the question, It's the moral high ground, where American Democracy has planted its standard, being evacuated in the face of the demand for admissions of liability and guilt and the lack of apology, none of which were given. Although the USA did give Iran money as an ex-gratia payment, as if cash would absolve them of any further action.

Moral high ground??? You mean the one where those of questionable enough moral compass (particularly members of the 4th estate) seem to be able to find their way to the summit, on the backs of their high horses to gather and throw stones at the big glass house fluttering a star spangled banner?

Thats all its about? More tall poppy syndrome?

And the significance of now for people to get steamed up about s**t long gone in the past, what, four or five Presidents ago, while they make no mention of the riots going on in Iran against the regime, is what exactly? The moral high ground wasnt of interest for the last thirty years after the incident, but suddenly now it is?? Dont make me larf.

[beardy]

I don't understand your mixed metaphors. But no I meant the moral high ground that purports to guide USA foreign and domestic policy. The one from which they want to tell the world how to act with fairness and dignity.

no mention of the riots going on in Iran against the regime

Straw man argument. It's irrelevant to the discussion in hand.

Morality doesn't fade with time and the families have long memories.

[Fareastdriver]

Two Rhodesian Viscounts were shot down by 'Freedom Fighters' in 1978 and 1979. 87 passengers died in the crashes and a further ten were massacred on the ground.

But they weren't Americans that did it, so it's alright then.

[effortless]

Ah but it is manifest destiny, god guides all their hands. Us, Iran, Israel, hey ho.

[Jabba_TG12]

Originally Posted by beardy

I don't understand your mixed metaphors.

No.. you wouldnt, would you?

Originally Posted by beardy

But no I meant the moral high ground that purports to guide USA foreign and domestic policy. The one from which they want to tell the world how to act with fairness and dignity.

Is that for real, or just the one that you've chosen to project on them? You seriously think that a nation like the US uses a "moral" position to shape foreign policy? As opposed to economic, geopolitical and strategic? You seriously think that its all about some sort of puritanical moralising?? You really that naive?

Originally Posted by beardy

Morality doesn't fade with time and the families have long memories.

One word for that. It starts with "B" and ends with "ollocks".

Are you part of one of the families directly afflicted by this incident, yes or no?

If the answer is no, then what you are projecting onto the families based on your own hates and prejudices is absolutely and totally of no significance to anyone except yourself. And, as you have no real reason, save for your moralising for anyone else to take what you're saying seriously, when what has happened has happened and is been and done and gone 30 years ago, there is no point or consequence in your opinion. So you hate Uncle Sam. Big F'ing deal. Queue up behind half the rest of the planet who claim to hate him. Whoop-de-doo.

[beardy]

It was the 'mixed' bit of the metaphors that was opaque to me.

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

Concerning GW1 and the then President and his moral take on it :

In more straightforward language he wrote to his family a Christmas letter in which he stated, "I look at today's crisis as 'good' vs. 'evil.' Yes, it is that clear." (Bush, George H., and Brent Scrowcroft, A World Transformed (New York: Knopf, 1998) p. 435.)

Is this not an example of the moral high ground?

I don't hate the USA, I do dislike hypocrisy. And yes it was some time ago, time enough to reflect.
I'm sorry that you are offended by criticism even though it is not directed at you personally, it is meant constructively. I didn't mean to touch a tender spot.