Dealing with Terror

[PineyWoodsJimbo]

Aren't there only a few countries who actually feed themselves and the whole rest of the world? If I remember correctly, they are France, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, and the United States. If this is true, why don't those countries stop allowing the export of food to the countries who harbor the bad guys? Or maybe just slow it down, a la OPEC? Is it a sense of humanity or something else?

[Shaggy Hiker]

I think that's wrong. I would expect that what you listed are the food exporting countries, but the more I think about it, the more I think it amounts to the same thing. However, I suspect that the ramifications of such a move would not be what we might expect. Most countries probably import food simply because it is cheaper and easier than making the land produce food. If the food supply is cut off, what happens? Mass starvation is one possibility, but over production of the land would also be a possibility, and several other results stemming from that.

[Memnoch1207]

Another problem with it is you are essentially making everyone suffer, because of the actions of a few.

[salvelinus]

Not to mention that they can withhold stuff like, oh, I don't know, oil, for example, without which not that much food would be produced.

[honeybee]

Originally posted by PineyWoodsJimbo
Aren't there only a few countries who actually feed themselves and the whole rest of the world? If I remember correctly, they are France, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Canada, and the United States. If this is true, why don't those countries stop allowing the export of food to the countries who harbor the bad guys? Or maybe just slow it down, a la OPEC? Is it a sense of humanity or something else?

Unlike OPEC which contains almost all the major oil exporting countries, export of foodgrains and other agricultural produce is not limited to a handful of countries. Also unlike oil, you can find alternatives in your eating habits. Where your car will refuse to run on kerosene, you can substitute rice with something else in your daily food intake. So if a rice-exporting country stops exporting rice to a certain other country, that other country can easily find an alternative.

If you don't get oil, you can't plant oilseeds in your backyard and get oil at home. However, in case of agriculture, you might be able to cultivate one or the other type of produce at home, if it becomes impossible to get it from outside. Not always easy, but possible.

Finally and very importantly, the definition of 'bad guys' changes as per the conveniences of the governments in power. We all know how the US itself fostered and supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran - Iraq war, and he was no saint then. You wouldn't then have the moral right to call him a bad guy and try to oust him. So if Saddam became a bad guy for you, Bush is a bad guy for many middle east governments and people. How about OPEC stops exporting a single drop of oil to the US? I am sure OPEC will find many other willing buyers. In fact, one of the reasons cited for OPEC cutting down production in spite of a price hike and persuasion by the US is the measure is aimed at showing dissent with the US policies in the middle east. To be frank, the middle east hasn't been poking their noses in America's internal affairs and there should be no reason for America to do the same in middle east.

.

[salvelinus]

Also, stopping food exports hurts the farmers/ranchers here. Plenty of otherwise staunch anti-communist legislators from farm states are pushing for food exports to Cuba.
How about China, the 300 pound gorilla? And would halting food supplies to other countries really make them sympathetic to the views of those doing the halting?

[Ex-FB]

I think Canada should form up with the other snow producing countries of the world and form Snow-PEC. That'll show them who's boss.

[lokespas]

some one like the pengin communists of anartica

bloking the sale of Red Snow

[Ex-FB]

In all fairness, I don't see Canada supporting any anti-OPEC behaviour....

.....Boo-hoo they've put up the pirce of oil.... oh, hang on we export shed loads of the stuff don't we...? yes, rant rant, it's despicable that they're raising the price of crude... oh, of course we'll be price matching them

[HardCode]

I say the US stops all aid of all kind to all of the world, watches it fall to mass infighting, and then creates the new 3,445 states with the leftovers.

[lokespas]

where can I get some off the drugs you´re taking???

[Ex-FB]

Originally posted by lokespas
where can I get some off the drugs you´re taking???

Just mix 1 part patriotism with 3 parts ignorance, shake and serve.

[lokespas]

is that patriotism??

[Ex-FB]

No, you're right. I'm not sure what it is.

Maybe xenophobia?

[Wally Pipp]

yeah, mixed with a bit of jingoism as well.

[lokespas]

We don't want to fight but by jingo if we do...
We've got the ships, we've got the men, and got the money too!

lovely song

[Ex-FB]

Originally posted by Wally Pipp
yeah, mixed with a bit of jingoism as well.

Ah! The perfect word for it!

[lokespas]

that´s the right mixture
I´m seeing stars and stripes all over

[NotLKH]

Hmmmm,
xenaphobic?
If you are, but only a little, are you really gabriellephobic?

[Ex-FB]

Originally posted by NotLKH
Hmmmm,
xenaphobic?
If you are, but only a little, are you really gabriellephobic?

Mmmmm. Who couldn't like her....

[KayJay]

"gabriellephobic?"

Phobia means fear. So how does the above word relate with your comment and the implied sentiment, Ex-FB?

Mmmmm. Who couldn't like her....

I do like her. Small, well proportioned, wide hips and large breasts. Child bearing and child rearing. She'll breed.

[Ex-FB]

Originally posted by KayJay

I do like her. Small, well proportioned, wide hips and large breasts. Child bearing and child rearing. She'll breed.

And lips that could suck start a Harley Davidson from the exhaust/muffler.

oh yeah