[Enkidu of Abydos]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Oh yes, 2 years, and who wants to place bets about whether this government project will be done on time? Originally they were just going to put in a handicapped ramp but now they are going to overhaul the whole building, keeping the exterior and giving it a new interior. The building is a historic landmark built by the Carnegie family over 100 years ago. So guess how much this project is costing us taxpayers? $2.7 million.

The local library here as well as the main city library were redecorated but much more quickly and cheaply, still done good though.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Well, this might get a little political, but....

It has already unfortunately...

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

IP laws are pretty much universal by now, although not necessarily strongly enforced everywhere.

Yeah, some people don't believe old grannies and little kids should be doing hard time for downloading an MP3 or two... Same as cutting off a hand for stealing a loaf of bread.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

And where do you live? The Land of Teddy Bears and Candy Canes?

Pretty much every society has an extensive history of violence, brutality, oppression and exploitation.

Well you can find some in every one, but not in the same quantities. And what he said about the USA being founded on territory conquered/stolen from the original owners is true (and like I already said the same goes for everyone but not that recently).

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

They definitely do more than you acknowledge; e.g. Pfizer can easily spend $7 billion a year on R&D. It's usually up to the pharmaceuticals not only to run (and fund) human trials, but also to bear responsibility in the event that a drug fails and/or actually harms patients.

In theory. In practice there's often a cover-up.
Remember that scandal with the western pharmceutical companies testing drugs on poor children in Africa which supposedly hurt some of them ? They'll do anything for money...

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

If the US doesn't do it, someone else will.

Oh they did (USSR), and they will (China).
Doesn't mean the world should be like that.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

To wit, the Chinese don't particularly hold IP in high respect, and they are a good candidate for exerting global dominance in the 21st century. You really think they're going to treat anyone all that much fairer than the US has?

I think worse maybe. They're already implementing exploitative/harmfull colonialism in Africa, the kind the european superpowers of the 19th centuries practiced earlier.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

*cough* Japan's invasion of Manchuria *cough* China in Tibet *cough* Zimbabwe under Mugabi *cough* Chile under Pinochet *cough* Iran under the Shah, Iraq under Hussein, Saudi Arabian government....

Sorry but why's Iran under the Shah on that list ? As far as I know it was a pretty benevolent, democratic and progressive regime, especially compared to others on that list. Maybe I'm not informed enough ?

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Spanish conquistadors as a model of ethical behavior in invasions and colonial rule? That's your position? Really?

I think he just put them up as an example of conquerers melding with the conquered.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

The only difference between the US and everyone else is a) how good we are at it, and b) how little Americans acknowledge their imperialism. Americans may believe they are exceptionally virtuous, but that is no more true than the idea that they are exceptionally evil.

Completely agree with you there. Americans are no better and no worse then anyone else, everyone has the potential to hurt others when in power. The problem is USA is currently the one in power (well the biggest single power anyway) and so the one with the most potential to misuse that power (and they have misused it before).