Howedar wrote:For the sake of argument, I'm not sure why the Mexicans (a government largely descended from a Spanish power structure, I think) has the right to land it stole from the first nations in the area.
You think Mexico is largely descended from a Spanish power structure. You're pretty much wrong. This was definitely true in the early 19th century, but Mexico is presently a republic which identifies very strongly with the Mestizo (mixed Indian/Spanish) ethnicity. It officially considers itself a successor state to the first nations that you're talking about--you may have noticed the big fucking eagle with a snake, right in the middle of their flag? Some Mexican nationalists refer to the Southwest as Aztlán, being the mythical place of origin of the Aztecs.
These people are silly, as Mexico is never going to get these territories back, and doesn't have any more right to them than Germany has a a right to Alsace-Lorraine or Sweden to Finland or Norway. At the same time, saying that they're dumb assholes for thinking about it is stupid. There's really no dispute that the Mexican-American war was one in which the USA was completely in the wrong--it was the international equivalent of a mugging. The USA has been fucking over Latin America for a solid 150 years, we should be surprised that they don't like us?
"I am gravely disappointed. Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war."
--The Lord Humungus
Howedar wrote:For the sake of argument, I'm not sure why the Mexicans (a government largely descended from a Spanish power structure, I think) has the right to land it stole from the first nations in the area.
You think Mexico is largely descended from a Spanish power structure. You're pretty much wrong. This was definitely true in the early 19th century, but Mexico is presently a republic which identifies very strongly with the Mestizo (mixed Indian/Spanish) ethnicity. It officially considers itself a successor state to the first nations that you're talking about--you may have noticed the big fucking eagle with a snake, right in the middle of their flag? Some Mexican nationalists refer to the Southwest as Aztlán, being the mythical place of origin of the Aztecs.
Excuse me. Mexico at the time was, as a government, largely descended from Spain. Adding another level of effective power transfer doesn't exactly disprove my point.
These people are silly, as Mexico is never going to get these territories back, and doesn't have any more right to them than Germany has a a right to Alsace-Lorraine or Sweden to Finland or Norway. At the same time, saying that they're dumb assholes for thinking about it is stupid. There's really no dispute that the Mexican-American war was one in which the USA was completely in the wrong--it was the international equivalent of a mugging. The USA has been fucking over Latin America for a solid 150 years, we should be surprised that they don't like us?
I completely agree. I just don't care for the language of "rightfully owning" such-and-such piece of land.
Patrick Degan wrote:
Oh, is that what you call what happens in Austin?
Having lived in both California and Texas, the answer is yes
A hint, Lonestar —the fact that another state's government is broken does not mean that yours isn't.
When ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided, there can be no successful appeal back to bullets.
—Abraham Lincoln
People pray so that God won't crush them like bugs.
—Dr. Gregory House
Oil an emergency?! It's about time, Brigadier, that the leaders of this planet of yours realised that to remain dependent upon a mineral slime simply doesn't make sense.
—The Doctor "Terror Of The Zygons" (1975)
FedRebel wrote:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all ages! We proudly announce the rematch of the century! In 1848 then regional power the United States soundly defeated via TKO, then mediocre power Mexico.
You're making out Mexico to be in a worse condition than it was I think. At the time of the Mexican-American war, Mexico processed a larger and more experienced standing army. If there government wasn't so fragile and under constant revolution they stood a real chance to have beat the Americans.
Brotherhood of the Monkey @( !.! )@ To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. ~Steve Prefontaine Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer are in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
Patrick Degan wrote:
A hint, Lonestar —the fact that another state's government is broken does not mean that yours isn't.
But one seems to be less broken than the other.
And Virginia's government is less broken than both Texas and Cali's.
Thanks and Gig 'em
-Lonestar
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."
