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(Washington Post)   Biden to EU: "Since you guys just love Obama we're sure you're eager to help us pay for things in Afghanistan." EU: "Get real"   (washingtonpost.com) divider line
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646 clicks; posted to Politics » on 09 Feb 2009 at 7:27 PM (14 years ago)   |   Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook



49 Comments     (+0 »)
 
thamike
2009-02-09 4:24:57 PM  
Whoever wrote the Post headline describing the relationship between NATO and Obama with the word, "ardor" needs to lose his job.
 
Bored Horde
2009-02-09 4:44:04 PM  
NATO has been near the breaking point for a decade. Ever since America started pressuring NATO (a group put together to counter Russain aggresion) to get involved in its middle-eastern adventurism, the age-old fractures have started widening.
 
patrick767
2009-02-09 6:55:03 PM  
Bored Horde: NATO has been near the breaking point for a decade. Ever since America started pressuring NATO (a group put together to counter Russian aggression) to get involved in its middle-eastern adventurism, the age-old fractures have started widening.

NATO supported the first Gulf War as did many other countries and not like George W. Bush's Gulf War II "coalition of the willing" bullshiat. They also supported going after the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. But when it came time to actually contribute forces to Afghanistan, they pulled ridiculous shiat like this:

Germany, for instance, has mandated that its troops remain in northern Afghanistan, which is relatively peaceful, and that they cannot deploy in combat operations in the south, where the Taliban is strong. Italian forces, which are based in western Afghanistan, operate under similar limits.
 
Glasgowsfinest
2009-02-09 7:20:20 PM  

patrick767: Germany, for instance, has mandated that its troops remain in northern Afghanistan, which is relatively peaceful, and that they cannot deploy in combat operations in the south, where the Taliban is strong. Italian forces, which are based in western Afghanistan, operate under similar limits.


Yes, well they have a problem: the populace does not want to be there at all.

So the only way the govt can get away with a deployment at all is to make sure that very few soldiers come back in bags.

I'm not saying that it's right, but that's how it is.
 
jjorsett
2009-02-09 7:33:14 PM  
And the horse you rode in on.
 
jjorsett
2009-02-09 7:35:07 PM  

thamike: Whoever wrote the Post headline describing the relationship between NATO and Obama with the word, "ardor" needs to lose his job.


Yeah. 'Lust' would have been more apt.
 
Edsel
2009-02-09 7:37:54 PM  

jjorsett: thamike: Whoever wrote the Post headline describing the relationship between NATO and Obama with the word, "ardor" needs to lose his job.

Yeah. 'Lust' would have been more apt.


Our allies like our president? What a disaster this is! Wish I hadn't voted for him.
 
oldernell [TotalFark] [OhFark]
2009-02-09 7:39:50 PM  
The only way there is going to be a "victory" in Afghanistan is to ride into each town, kill all the men, and rape all the women at the dance that night. That's the way Alexander the Great did it, and he was the last to "conquor" the country.
 
Edsel
2009-02-09 7:39:56 PM  

patrick767: NATO supported the first Gulf War as did many other countries and not like George W. Bush's Gulf War II "coalition of the willing" bullshiat. They also supported going after the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. But when it came time to actually contribute forces to Afghanistan, they pulled ridiculous shiat like this:


NATO got involved under their treaty obligation to fight when a member state was attacked (with the extrapolation being that the Taliban had enabled the attack).

Nation building is a tricky business, though. It's not what they had signed on for, hell, it's probably not even possible in Afghanistan. It's not even clear what would define a victory for us there.
 
Silovik
2009-02-09 7:50:02 PM  
NATO, yet another reminder of why English is the dominant language of the world.
 
Hideously Gigantic Smurf
2009-02-09 7:50:30 PM  
So... Neither Iran nor the EU like us at this point?

Oh yeah, the Bush Doctrine worked like a real charm, yep, uh-huh...
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 7:52:01 PM  

Bored Horde: NATO has been near the breaking point for a decade. Ever since America started pressuring NATO (a group put together to counter Russain aggresion) to get involved in its middle-eastern adventurism, the age-old fractures have started widening.


American foreign policy must seem crazy to them. Afganistan is a money pit.
 
Glasgowsfinest
2009-02-09 8:05:55 PM  

GoodasGold: American foreign policy must seem crazy to them.


You guys actually had a policy? I thought 'ol George just used the magic war 8 ball, or asked god. One of the two.
 
jjorsett
2009-02-09 8:09:31 PM  

Edsel: jjorsett: thamike: Whoever wrote the Post headline describing the relationship between NATO and Obama with the word, "ardor" needs to lose his job.

Yeah. 'Lust' would have been more apt.

Our allies like our president? What a disaster this is! Wish I hadn't voted for him.


Apparently they don't like him enough to, like, actually do anything.
 
Edsel
2009-02-09 8:15:37 PM  

jjorsett: Apparently they don't like him enough to, like, actually do anything.


Only morons believe that this is about "liking him".

"If Europeans expect that the United States will close Guantanamo, sign up to climate-change treaties, accept European Union leadership on key issues -- but provide nothing more in return, for example in Afghanistan, than encouragement -- they should think again," NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a Jan. 26 speech in Brussels, where NATO has its headquarters. "It simply won't work like that."

I think the phrase you might be searching for is international cooperation.
 
Korovyov
2009-02-09 8:16:58 PM  
[Obvious]

In the words of Thomas Friedman:

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html)


So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 8:41:38 PM  

Korovyov: [Obvious]

In the words of Thomas Friedman:

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html)


So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.



Yes EU, please help us fight wars to make Israel safe.fark you Friedman. Has he ever considered putting America's interests ahead of the tribe.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 8:52:28 PM  

GoodasGold: Korovyov: [Obvious]

In the words of Thomas Friedman:

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html)


So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.


Yes EU, please help us fight wars to make Israel safe.fark you Friedman. Has he ever considered putting America's interests ahead of the tribe.


Not everyone who supports Israel is part of "the tribe." Heck, not everyone who supports Israel agrees with every single thing they do.

/I'm sure you know who else blamed everything on "the tribe"
 
Silovik
2009-02-09 9:06:11 PM  

HighOnCraic: GoodasGold: Korovyov: [Obvious]

In the words of Thomas Friedman:

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html)


So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.


Yes EU, please help us fight wars to make Israel safe.fark you Friedman. Has he ever considered putting America's interests ahead of the tribe.

Not everyone who supports Israel is part of "the tribe." Heck, not everyone who supports Israel agrees with every single thing they do.

/I'm sure you know who else blamed everything on "the tribe"


Disgruntled William and Mary sports fans?
 
Cornered Beef
2009-02-09 9:09:32 PM  

patrick767: ridiculous shiat


Ridiculous shiat is attacking countries unrelated to 9/11 and making shiat more dangerous and complicated for everyone involved. If you fark it up you take care of it, don't look at us.
 
cchris_39
2009-02-09 9:16:51 PM  
...accept European leadership on key issues.......

Change.
Unfarkingbelievable Change.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 9:26:15 PM  

Silovik: HighOnCraic: GoodasGold: Korovyov: [Obvious]

In the words of Thomas Friedman:

(http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09friedman.html)


So to everyone overseas I say: thanks for your applause for our new president. I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money. Show us the troops. Show us the diplomatic effort. Show us the economic partnership. Show us something more than a fresh smile. Because freedom is not free and your excuse for doing less than you could is leaving town in January.


Yes EU, please help us fight wars to make Israel safe.fark you Friedman. Has he ever considered putting America's interests ahead of the tribe.

Not everyone who supports Israel is part of "the tribe." Heck, not everyone who supports Israel agrees with every single thing they do.

/I'm sure you know who else blamed everything on "the tribe"

Disgruntled William and Mary sports fans?


Actually, I was talking about the '07 Yankees, who were so pissed after losing in the American League Division Series that they've vowed to wipe Cleveland off the map.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 9:33:06 PM  
You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Lenders Bagels or think it would be bad if Israel were wiped off the map, and thus other countries should put some* effort into preventing that from happening.

*We can still argue about just how much effort other countries should put into it, and we should be free to criticize Israel when it farks up, but I don't think we can shrug like that cop in Miller's Crossing and say "What's one nation of Hebrews more or less?"
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 9:33:24 PM  

HighOnCraic:

Not everyone who supports Israel is part of "the tribe." Heck, not everyone who supports Israel agrees with every single thing they do.

/I'm sure you know who else blamed everything on "the tribe"


He is the poster boy of Jewish liberalism.
"We should have invaded Iraq in a more intelligent Jewish manner than the dumb goy George Bush." (sarcasm)

He appeals to universal Jewish chauvinism; the egotistcal confidence in being able to solve all problems through superior intelligence. You see this problem being played out over and over in our government and society. How does the old Yiddish saying go? "Save us from Jewish geniuses." (paraphrasing).

Did you know Friedman spent all three summers in high school on a kibbutz in Israel.

"For my independent study project in my senior year... in 1971, I did a slide show on how Israel won the Six-Day War. For my high school psychology class, my friend Ken Greer and I did a slide show on kibbutz life, which ended with a stirring rendition of "Jerusalem of Gold" and a rapid-fire montage of strong-eyed, idealistic-looking Israelis of all ages. In fact, high school for me, I am now embarrassed to say, was one big celebration of Israel's victory in the Six-Day War...." (actual quote)

So yeah, Friedman has always worn his ethnocentrism on his sleeve.
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 9:44:54 PM  

HighOnCraic: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Lenders Bagels or think it would be bad if Israel were wiped off the map, and thus other countries should put some* effort into preventing that from happening.



Fine. I don't think Israel is worth the lives of one of my sons. And I will work to stop America from fighting wars to save Israel. I hate Friedman for obfuscating his tribal loyalties and pretending he is writing from an American perspective. You may feel different. Click here to enlist. (new window)

I hate to let the Europeans on this thread have watch us airing America's dirty laundry but this is a part of our national dialoque right now.
 
Pxtl
2009-02-09 9:55:39 PM  
Did Palestine attack the USA on 9/11? What about Egypt? Jordan? Iran?

No?

Is Israel part of NATO?

No?

Then what the hell does Israel have to do with anything? People who want to defend Israel are free to go join the IDF.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 9:56:03 PM  

GoodasGold: HighOnCraic:

Not everyone who supports Israel is part of "the tribe." Heck, not everyone who supports Israel agrees with every single thing they do.

/I'm sure you know who else blamed everything on "the tribe"

He is the poster boy of Jewish liberalism.
"We should have invaded Iraq in a more intelligent Jewish manner than the dumb goy George Bush." (sarcasm)

He appeals to universal Jewish chauvinism; the egotistcal confidence in being able to solve all problems through superior intelligence. You see this problem being played out over and over in our government and society. How does the old Yiddish saying go? "Save us from Jewish geniuses." (paraphrasing).

Did you know Friedman spent all three summers in high school on a kibbutz in Israel.

"For my independent study project in my senior year... in 1971, I did a slide show on how Israel won the Six-Day War. For my high school psychology class, my friend Ken Greer and I did a slide show on kibbutz life, which ended with a stirring rendition of "Jerusalem of Gold" and a rapid-fire montage of strong-eyed, idealistic-looking Israelis of all ages. In fact, high school for me, I am now embarrassed to say, was one big celebration of Israel's victory in the Six-Day War...." (actual quote)

So yeah, Friedman has always worn his ethnocentrism on his sleeve.


Well, with a name like Friedman, it's not like he's hiding it. But too often when Jewish pundits favor keeping Israel from being destroyed, the counter-argument is "We can't trust a Jewish pundit AT ALL on the issue of Israel, because 'the tribe' always puts their interests first." I think that's a crappy argument (and I think that was the argument being made by the post I responded to). I hate the idea of, well, prejudging the motives of Jewish pundits and instantly dismissing them.
 
JaMorg
2009-02-09 9:57:54 PM  

GoodasGold: HighOnCraic: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Lenders Bagels or think it would be bad if Israel were wiped off the map, and thus other countries should put some* effort into preventing that from happening.


Fine. I don't think Israel is worth the lives of one of my sons. And I will work to stop America from fighting wars to save Israel. I hate Friedman for obfuscating his tribal loyalties and pretending he is writing from an American perspective. You may feel different. Click here to enlist. (new window)

I hate to let the Europeans on this thread have watch us airing America's dirty laundry but this is a part of our national dialoque right now.


Afghanistan is a war to save Israel?
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 10:02:14 PM  

Pxtl: Did Palestine attack the USA on 9/11? What about Egypt? Jordan? Iran?

No?

Is Israel part of NATO?

No?

Then what the hell does Israel have to do with anything? People who want to defend Israel are free to go join the IDF.


It's possible to believe that Israel is an imperfect nation that has made it's share of mistakes and also believe that letting that nation get wiped out would be bad for society in general. We can argue about exactly how much support they should get, but I really don't think ignoring their situation is a viable answer.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 10:11:06 PM  

JaMorg: GoodasGold: HighOnCraic: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Lenders Bagels or think it would be bad if Israel were wiped off the map, and thus other countries should put some* effort into preventing that from happening.


Fine. I don't think Israel is worth the lives of one of my sons. And I will work to stop America from fighting wars to save Israel. I hate Friedman for obfuscating his tribal loyalties and pretending he is writing from an American perspective. You may feel different. Click here to enlist. (new window)

I hate to let the Europeans on this thread have watch us airing America's dirty laundry but this is a part of our national dialoque right now.

Afghanistan is a war to save Israel?


The are a lot of reasons for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan (retaliation for 9/11, destroying the heroin production, preventing further terrorist activity). Protecting Israel is another reason. A lot of people didn't think Britain was worth saving during WW2, but I think it's generally a bad idea to sit back and let entire nations be destroyed, regardless of how you feel about those nations.
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 10:13:30 PM  

HighOnCraic: Well, with a name like Friedman, it's not like he's hiding it. But too often when Jewish pundits favor keeping Israel from being destroyed, the counter-argument is "We can't trust a Jewish pundit AT ALL on the issue of Israel, because 'the tribe' always puts their interests first." I think that's a crappy argument (and I think that was the argument being made by the post I responded to). I hate the idea of, well, prejudging the motives of Jewish pundits and instantly dismissing them.


It is a difficult problem. There are some rightous Jews like Glenn Greenwald (new window) and Philip Weiss (new window)and our own Apik0r0s who I admire but because of the natural taboo on this subject there is too little dialogue.
 
Glasgowsfinest
2009-02-09 10:27:02 PM  

HighOnCraic: retaliation for 9/11


If you were really serious about retaliating for 9-11 your tanks would be in Riyadh right now.
 
Silovik
2009-02-09 10:30:05 PM  

HighOnCraic: JaMorg: GoodasGold: HighOnCraic: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy Lenders Bagels or think it would be bad if Israel were wiped off the map, and thus other countries should put some* effort into preventing that from happening.


Fine. I don't think Israel is worth the lives of one of my sons. And I will work to stop America from fighting wars to save Israel. I hate Friedman for obfuscating his tribal loyalties and pretending he is writing from an American perspective. You may feel different. Click here to enlist. (new window)

I hate to let the Europeans on this thread have watch us airing America's dirty laundry but this is a part of our national dialoque right now.

Afghanistan is a war to save Israel?

The are a lot of reasons for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan (retaliation for 9/11, destroying the heroin production, preventing further terrorist activity). Protecting Israel is another reason. A lot of people didn't think Britain was worth saving during WW2, but I think it's generally a bad idea to sit back and let entire nations be destroyed, regardless of how you feel about those nations.


Israel is not 1940's Great Britain, who was the lone fighter against the Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments for years until America stopped counting its dollars and got into the mix.

With Afghanistan it is the same thing except, now France and Germany can't seem to grow a pair.
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 10:32:14 PM  

HighOnCraic: , but I think it's generally a bad idea to sit back and let entire nations be destroyed, regardless of how you feel about those nations.


I can't see a nuclear equipped nation being destroyed.

In theory, it seems like a great idea to send troops to many trouble spots in the world. It is easy to say We should...Nato should...the EU should.... But that entails many individuals making the decision to risk their lives for strangers.

IMO, it is more natural to fight for your family, neighborhood, country. In the case of some Jews, for their "people". Note that Rahm Emmanual, born in the US, joined the IDF and not the US military. 'nuff said.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-09 10:36:13 PM  

Glasgowsfinest: HighOnCraic: retaliation for 9/11

If you were really serious about retaliating for 9-11 your tanks would be in Riyadh right now.


Um, Bush's fault?
 
jonnypeh
2009-02-09 10:38:07 PM  
according to an article a quite a few months ago, German troops are busy mostly drinking beer and have become unfit for combat. so these days its the US, UK, the Dutch and the Canadians doing all the fighting.

I don't get why are european countries having problems with sending more troops there. every man who signs up for service could be sent anywhere. because the military owns his ass. no country uses conscripts anymore for this.
 
jonnypeh
2009-02-09 10:43:23 PM  

HighOnCraic: The are a lot of reasons for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan (retaliation for 9/11, destroying the heroin production, preventing further terrorist activity). Protecting Israel is another reason. A lot of people didn't think Britain was worth saving during WW2, but I think it's generally a bad idea to sit back and let entire nations be destroyed, regardless of how you feel about those nations.


so what does afghanistan have to do with israel?
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 10:43:28 PM  

Silovik: Israel is not 1940's Great Britain, who was the lone fighter against the Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments for years until America stopped counting its dollars and got into the mix.

With Afghanistan it is the same thing except, now France and Germany can't seem to grow a pair.


Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments? You're only allowed two.

I have come to the the opinion that all wars are bullshiat. "they" never tell us the whole story or write the full history.

Here is a little piece of revisionism (new window)on WW2 (no not holocaust) that offers food for thought. It may seem like bullocks to you but there are alwasy 2 sides to the story.
 
jonnypeh
2009-02-09 10:47:40 PM  

GoodasGold: Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments? You're only allowed two.


Germany. USSR. Italy. unfortunately the second one turned an ally later.
 
GoodasGold
2009-02-09 10:50:53 PM  

jonnypeh: so what does afghanistan have to do with israel?


The twin towers were brought down on 9/11. Conventional wisdom is that OBL was the perp and was living in Afganistan. Afganistan would not hand over OBL so we attacked to find him. OBL said he got the idea for bringing down the towers after watching Israeli jets destroy Beirut on TV. He gave two reasons for 9/11. 1) US support of Israel 2) US bases in Saudi Arabia.
Afganistan is seen as one of the last countries where the bad arabs are free to live. Their presensce is seen as a threat to moderate arab states and Israel. But the Jews are particularly paranoid about Afganistan. Fast as I could do it. G'night.
 
jonnypeh
2009-02-09 10:56:29 PM  

GoodasGold: The t


taliban are the bad guys anyway. and I thought you should know that there are no arabs in afghanistan.

but what threat do the afganis pose on israel? very little, really. no more than palestinians do now and they are repressing the hell out of palestinians even as we speak.
 
Silovik
2009-02-09 10:59:50 PM  

GoodasGold: Silovik: Israel is not 1940's Great Britain, who was the lone fighter against the Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments for years until America stopped counting its dollars and got into the mix.

With Afghanistan it is the same thing except, now France and Germany can't seem to grow a pair.

Nazi/Soviet/Fascist governments? You're only allowed two.


Fighting in Greece, Yugoslavia, North Africa, Battle of Britain, East Africa etc - Italy, Vichy France, Nazi Germany et al - Bulgaria etc. and the Soviets supplying them with material and Guerrilla support, not to mention the Soviet intelligence penetration as far in as the Spanish Civil War.

Britain was on its own for a while, and could have made a deal with Hitler and kept her empire, but stood up and fought. Granted they needed American aid, but FDR kept it flowing right through to Dec. 41'

I have come to the the opinion that all wars are bullshiat. "they" never tell us the whole story or write the full history.

Here is a little piece of revisionism (new window)on WW2 (no not holocaust) that offers food for thought. It may seem like bullocks to you but there are alwasy 2 sides to the story.

I haven't read that one.

If you are up for some great reads, Niall Ferguson's EMPIRE or WAR OF THE WORLDS really dig into the social and economic issues for war and how WW2 went and its effects on ethnic conflict etc.

For pure military analysis, the best book is World War 2 by John Keegan.
 
MickCollins
2009-02-10 1:49:16 AM  
Europe pay to help its own defense? Balderdash! Why, that would require money that can better be spent on themselves. We're the suckers.
 
HighOnCraic
2009-02-10 2:03:59 AM  

jonnypeh: HighOnCraic: The are a lot of reasons for the U.S. to be in Afghanistan (retaliation for 9/11, destroying the heroin production, preventing further terrorist activity). Protecting Israel is another reason. A lot of people didn't think Britain was worth saving during WW2, but I think it's generally a bad idea to sit back and let entire nations be destroyed, regardless of how you feel about those nations.

so what does afghanistan have to do with israel?


There are people in Afghanistan who wish to eliminate all Israelis. One of the reasons terrorists attacked the U.S. is because we support Israel, and they think that if they continue to attack us, we'll stop supporting Israel. One of the reasons why America is involved militarily in Afghanistan is to say, "You can't bully us into ending our support of Israel by attacking us." There are other reasons for the conflict, but it's kinda silly to ignore the Israel factor in it.

/I'm not a Jew, but I'm not in favor of saying "Let the Jews sort things out for themselves."
 
ilambiquated
2009-02-10 4:51:35 AM  

Silovik: NATO, yet another reminder of why English is the dominant language of the world.


There are four times as many native speakers of Chinese as English.
 
jonnypeh
2009-02-10 4:51:41 AM  
I'd say the current conflict between U.S. and taliban has gone past anything to do with jews.
 
ilambiquated
2009-02-10 5:55:01 AM  
FYI EU is not NATO
 
lotustuned
2009-02-10 7:22:13 AM  

ilambiquated: Silovik: NATO, yet another reminder of why English is the dominant language of the world.

There are four times as many native speakers of Chinese as English.


But yet Chinese people speak more English than anyother nation on the planet.
 
Silovik
2009-02-10 10:51:35 AM  

lotustuned: ilambiquated: Silovik: NATO, yet another reminder of why English is the dominant language of the world.

There are four times as many native speakers of Chinese as English.

But yet Chinese people speak more English than anyother nation on the planet.


I got another one. Thinking about how a lot of the language had to be simplified and a lot of the population can't write their own language.

Mandarin, a reminder that English is still the dominant language because we use phonetics and not hieroglyphics to write.
 
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