<p>Since ancient times we have seen one country or kingdom rising from the ashes to go on and become the strongest in the world and then toppled. Egypt, Greece, Rome England,United States etc </p>
<p>DO you thin kthis trend will continue? If not which country do you think is will be the NEXT NUMERO UNO?</p>
<p>This will only happen if the hippies get their way and America adopts Kyoto treaty. If this were to happen, I would say (don't laugh) Nigeria would become world power. Perfect combination of people weather and oil to vault to the top.</p>
<p>California is going to break away...and rule the world</p>
<p>China within a few decades, simply for their raw industrial potential.</p>
<p>Worst case scenario: California breaks away and becomes their own nation. <--trouble</p>
<p>I'd say China as well. They have the biggest capacity to advance.</p>
<p>China's economy is going to implode over the next decade. No shot</p>
<p>China and Taiwan together.</p>
<p>This will only happen if the hippies get their way and America adopts Kyoto treaty. If this were to happen, I would say (don't laugh) Nigeria would become world power. Perfect combination of people weather and oil to vault to the top.</p>
<p>JOE V are you KIDDING ME? until christians and muslims there learn how to get along and the muslims stop preaching their extremist shariya philosophy..<em>THEN</em> maybe---did you hear about the Miss World pageant two years ago? It was held during Ramadan i guess...some news reporter made a joke about Muhammad having many wives and that he'd choose a woman from any of the contestants---and the country went mad and a whole bunch of people died in riots. </p>
<p>i don't think that's any sign of a future super power...more like a backwards extremist place. </p>
<p>it has nothign to do with Kyoto protocol la la stuff</p>
<p>and yes...i'm worried China is gonna completely overtake the U.S. ---well not overtake, but we might share our superpower status with them one day...at least economically. </p>
<p>India has major potential too.</p>
<p>India is the world's largest democracy which is awesome...</p>
<p>but I hate China's government...and if they ever become allies with North Korea, then ---that would suck.</p>
<p>I second joev's proposition.</p>
<p>I like Ahnald's speech @ the RNC :</p>
<p>The U.S. economy remains the envy of the world. We have the highest economic growth of any of the world's major industrialized nations. Don't you remember the pessimism of 20 years ago, when the critics said Japan and Germany are overtaking the U.S.? Ridiculous.</p>
<p>Now, they say that India and China are overtaking us. Don't you believe it. We may hit a few bumps, but America always moves ahead. That's what Americans do.</p>
<p>We move prosperity ahead.</p>
<p>We move prosperity ahead. We move freedom ahead. And we move people ahead.</p>
<p>PS China already is a world power.</p>
<p>
[quote]
This will only happen if the hippies get their way and America adopts Kyoto treaty. If this were to happen, I would say (don't laugh) Nigeria would become world power. Perfect combination of people weather and oil to vault to the top.</p>
<p>i don't think that's any sign of a future super power...more like a backwards extremist place.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow. That's one way to look at it. Personally I think it's a pretty awful way to look at it. Anyways, read Chomsky for all you need to know about the American Empire slowly going the way of the British Empire. The similarities are STAGGERING. If the US is still the most powerful country in the world in 80 years it will be because of a). massive war that we win, or b). total implosion of the world economy that leaves everyone else decimated. And 95% of Muslims are not extremist. Certainly not any more than Pat Roberts or Jerry Falwell or George W. Bush for that matter are Christian extemists.</p>
<p>
[quote]
We move prosperity ahead.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>For white people! **** Africa and South America!</p>
<p>
[quote]
We move freedom ahead.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just like the Spanish moved Christianity ahead!</p>
<p>
[quote]
And we move people ahead.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Kicking and screaming, whether it's good for them or not!</p>
<p>are you saying the problems in Africa are AMERICA'S FAULT? Hey, i could understand why Europe is blamed to a large extent...but a lot of ther easons why they'res o behind are becuase of overly CORRUPT governments and RELIGIOUS extremism...</p>
<p>look at nigeria: Muslims vs. Christians --- i mean they still stone women for getting pregnant out of wedlock!
look at sudan: Muslims vs. Christians (arabs muslims vs. black christians and black muslims, who have their own way of practicing islam)
South Africa: there's progress obviously, becuase apartheid is over, but it's still Whites vs. Blacks -- and the AIDS crisis is keeping them back from becoming a fully developed country.</p>
<p>there are more stable parts of Africa no doubt, Kenya, Botswana---but again, AIDS crisis is huge....so obviously there is mroe that needs to be done about that, and i guess that's where America should/can step in moer.</p>
<p>I am against the Patriot Act---I don't believe Muslims should be targetted or anything like that...etc</p>
<p>But</p>
<p>there is no comparison between the theocratic systems of law enacted in so many of these Islamic african countries (and middle eastern countries) to the USA. NO comparison. </p>
<p>ask a woman who's recently immigrated from Iran and how she wasn't able to learn how to read and write, or the women who are fighting against female mutilation in Africa.</p>
<p>More or less, it is the all the abuse and exploitation the continent has received for centuries.</p>
<p>rhizome i can't see your posts, so i just assume i'm on your ignore list or something LoL</p>
<p>
[quote]
are you saying the problems in Africa are AMERICA'S FAULT? Hey, i could understand why Europe is blamed to a large extent...but a lot of ther easons why they'res o behind are becuase of overly CORRUPT governments and RELIGIOUS extremism...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm saying that the US can do something about these, at a relatively small cost (STOP WHAT IS GOING ON IN DARFUR FOR GOD'S SAKE) but chooses to ignore it. Instead, we spend hundreds of billions of dollars to invade the relatively progressive Iraq. Why?</p>
<p>Though, this administration is going to ruin America because of insane deficit spending, unless they cut it out in a hurry. Ask any economist, it's true. Greg Mankiw (who is a huge Republican and Bush supporter) almost lost his job for stating this. Greenspan (also a huge Republican) says that the US can sustain the current rate for only about four more years without economic catastrophe (not the Great Depression, but in the ballpark).</p>
<p>And 95% of Muslims are not extremist.</p>
<p>uhh it depends on your definition of extremist...sure 95% of them aren't TERRORISTS that are gonna blow up buildings...</p>
<p>but there is DEFINITELY a HUGE split in Islam, and it's most visible in ....EUROPE! </p>
<p>here's an article about anti-semitism...and have you heard of Theo Van Gogh? the dutch filmmaker that was killed after he made a movie criticizing the treatment of women within the religion.</p>
<p>U.S. State Departments first report on global anti-Semitism finds increased governmental action in Europe to combat bias against Jews, but an uneven track record among law enforcement agencies responding to anti-Semitic incidents.</p>
<p>The report also found that an increasing number of anti-Semitic incidents around the world, particularly in Europe, are coming from Muslim communities, rather than traditional skinhead nationalist groups.</p>
<p>The increasing type of anti-Semitism is associated with the Muslim minorities, and that has been increasing in the past four years, said Edward ODonnell, the State Departments special envoy for Holocaust issues.</p>
<p>And that certainly is related to whats happening in the Middle East, tensions in the Middle East.</p>
<p>The report, which breaks down incidents around the world, comes after Jewish lawmakers and community officials pushed Congress last year to pass a law requiring the State Department to step up monitoring of anti-Semitic incidents around the world.</p>
<p>After this initial separate report, the State Department is now expected to address anti-Semitism annually in its reports on human rights violations and international religious freedom.</p>
<p>Steps also are being taken to create a new State Department office on international anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>Although the State Department initially opposed the idea, Michael Kozak, the acting assistant secretary of state for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said he expected the office to be established soon after Condoleezza Rice is confirmed as secretary of state.</p>
<p>The office, and the report, are part of an effort to pressure European governments to do more to stop a wave of anti-Semitic incidents across the continent since the Palestinian intifada began more than four years ago.</p>
<p>Jewish organizations have been strong advocates for forums on anti-Semitism held by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and others.</p>
<p>While little new information can be gleaned from the State Department report, Jewish officials said its publication would draw attention to the issue of global anti-Semitism, and pressure foreign countries to work harder to prevent bigotry against Jews.</p>
<p>The idea of this publication being public can serve as a really good guidepost for other countries, said Daniel Mariaschin, executive vice president of Bnai Brith International. They should be aspiring to this level of detail.</p>
<p>Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said a detailed listing of anti-Semitic incidents that comes from the U.S. government, rather than American Jewish organizations, would have added impact around the world.</p>
<p>The report says that in addition to emanating from Muslim communities in countries such as France and Britain, recent acts of anti-Semitism in Europe stem from far-right and nationalist sources, spillover criticism of the United States and globalization that is redirected against Jews, as well as anti-Israel sentiment that crosses the line between objective criticism of Israeli policies and anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>The report says that while disadvantaged and disaffected Muslim youth were responsible for the rise in those incidents, skinheads and other political fringe groups still account for a significant proportion of attacks throughout Europe, including in the East.</p>
<p>The report defines anti-Semitism as hatred toward Jews because of their religion or ethnicity.</p>
<p>But defining the fine line between valid criticism of Israeli policies and anti-Semitism is hard, Kozak acknowledged. He suggested people know it when they see it, citing Nazi rhetoric as a possible example, and likened it to demonizing all Muslims for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.</p>
<p>An important issue is the distinction between legitimate criticism of policies and practices of the State of Israel, and commentary that assumes an anti-Semitic character, the report says.</p>
<p>The demonization of Israel, or vilification of Israeli leaders, sometimes through comparisons with Nazi leaders, and through the use of Nazi symbols to caricature them, indicates an anti-Semitic bias rather than a valid criticism of policy concerning a controversial issue.</p>
<p>Kozak said there is blending between other international policy debates and anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>In effect, anti-Semites seek to gain support for their perverse agenda by identifying the issues that cause disaffection amongst various groups in a population, and then skillfully blame Jews for the existence of such problems, he said.</p>
<p>Kozak also suggested there is a double standard for Israel at the United Nations and its annual Commission on Human Rights conference in Geneva that is fueled by anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>We find that whole practice to be unfair, despicable and degrading to the U.N. institutions that get abused or misused for that purpose, he said.</p>
<p>As part of the report, the State Department announced new responsibilities for overseas embassies, seeking additional monitoring of acts of violence against Jews and Jewish properties and actions taken by governments to prevent anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>It also said efforts have been accelerated to combat anti-Semitism through education, law enforcement and legislation.</p>
<p>Anti-Semitism is an issue that cannot be ignored by other governments anymore, said Mark Levin, executive director of NCSJ: Advocates on Behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia.</p>
<p>The report praises European governments for taking the issue seriously. But it says European law enforcement agencies arent trained to handle hate crimes, and anti-Semitic acts are often dismissed as petty crimes.</p>
<p>I concur with the conclusions: The governments, both individually and collectively in Europe, have stopped the denial, Foxman said. They have accepted the fact that there is anti-Semitism and moved to the area of combating it.</p>
<p>Twelve European countries had serious incidents of anti-Semitism during the reporting period, which ran from July 1, 2003, to Dec. 15, 2004, according to the report. There was verbal harassment of Jews in 28 countries and desecration of cemeteries and synagogues in 30 countries.</p>
<p>The report also notes a rise of anti-Semitism in Pakistan and Argentina, as well as a significant drop in the number of incidents in Australia.</p>
<p>The report chastises Syria for condoning and supporting media programs that export anti-Semitism. A section on the media notes that anti-Semitic cartoons often are used to attack Israeli policies, as well as U.S. foreign policy.</p>
<p>Foxman said some of the reports documentation was meager, specifically regarding anti-Semitic media reports in Egypt.</p>
<p>The report and office is mandated by the Global Anti-Semitism Awareness/Review Act, which passed Congress in October.</p>
<p>The State Department originally had opposed the idea of a separate report on anti-Semitism, suggesting the topic is addressed in other State Department reports.</p>
<p>In a memo to Congress, Secretary of State Colin Powell said a separate report on anti-Semitism could erode our credibility by being interpreted as favoritism in human rights reporting.</p>
<p>Kozak said that while there had been disagreement about having a separate office and report for anti-Semitism, the State Department shared Congress goals.</p>
<p>When you create an office, it adds more prominence, perhaps, to the issue, he said. But theres also the risk that you start stove-piping your issues too much, and you dont get the same kind of effect on other governments.</p>
<p>The new office is expected to be folded into ODonnells portfolio, State Department officials said, which would have an increased budget and staff. However, they are waiting for Rices confirmation before moving forward.</p>
<p>David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said the current plans do not go far enough. He said he would like to see a full-time monitor and annual reports on anti-Semitism.</p>
<p>For us, this process needs to be regularized, he said. One cannot look at anti-Semitism episodically.</p>
<p>so here's my liberal side speaking: </p>
<p>"why does the USA have tod o everything..is it really oru responsibility as a world power to stop this stuff? let's trust the United Nations more....no, how about the International Community. After all, we should have listened to them about Iraq" </p>
<p>yeah i see your point, there is MORE we can do...but we have done MORE than everybody else...and no it's still not enough...but where the he*ll is the REST of the free world? WHERE'S THE UN WHEN A PLACE NEEDS THEm?</p>