This is the flawed premise which brings down the whole house of cards. It assumes that globalization allows for America to be first but the America we know - with worker rights and environmental protections - can't be first in this race. And there is absolutely no interest I see from the people powering the competition to have that America finish the race at all. This is the most important point that most average people involved in making ends meet do not understand. "America" is not meant to win the globalization derby.
The ring of integrity ... "During the many interrogations, I never laid hands on anyone," said George Frenkel, 87, of Kensington. "We extracted information in a battle of the wits. I'm proud to say I never compromised my humanity."... seems like only yesterday that the US of A had the wits to accomplish the impossible. Today, witless and stupid, it tears down not only other countries, but its own.
The drug war is intended to disenfranchise those selectively prosecuted.From such a tyrannical perspective the drug war is a great success. Rich druggies go on to become President or radio hacks while poor druggies become felons.
It’s easily possible to set up an enforcement system for beef safety in this country, but the Republicans decided the money for their buddies was more important for the welfare of our people. The American people would figure out Republicans do not give a shit about anyone but their .5% richest of the country cronies if this story was reported correctly, Newsweek, thank you so much. It’s not surprising money precludes the truth with this typically lousy corporate journalism, but maybe one day dead American children might actually move them to do their jobs.
So when I tell you that Americans need to change both the cars they drive and the way they drive them, don't think I do it from spite. It's from love. It's because I sincerely believe that if we don't change paths – now, today – soon enough no one will have that chance to do what cars do better than anything else: give you the freedom to go anywhere you damn well please, just because it pleases you to go. 
Judgement on the pavement ... After miles in the desert we stopped at a small restaurant in al Rutba where the name Bush was painted in white in three different spots in the parking lot, so customers could step on it. ...
Choose violence and all is lost to the worst that can happen to a people, both to those who initiate it and those who suffer from it. Retribution almost always follows that quickly spins out of control, sometimes for hundreds of years. Jesus, the violence of war is not what you think it is, it can never work positively! We hung Nazis at Nuremburg for precisely the logic of “pre-emptive war,” yet these amazing Americans quoted whine about Bush being called a moron, oblivious to how apparently stupid they themselves are to not know these utterly known and basic facts about chosen war, it’s just incredible.[...] As if it couldn’t get more sickening, one of the killers says “..as long as the possibility of being successful's there, you can justify continuing the effort."
... Jesus nothing could be more horrifying or shameful than lying, killing “public officials” of the United States of America blathering on in clueless denial to send more humans souls to miserable senseless killing war deaths.
by Jared M. Diamond.
by David Weber and Eric Flint having previously read 
