World History 101 Mid-Term Exam

Multiple Choice question

Published on November 29, 2004 By dabe In Politics

WORLD HISTORY 101 MID-TERM EXAM

This test consists of one (1) multiple-choice question (so you better
get it right!)

Here's a list of the countries that the U.S. has bombed since the end
of World War II, compiled by historian William Blum:

China: 1945-46

Korea: 1950-53

China: 1950-53

Guatemala: 1954

Indonesia: 1958

Cuba: 1959-60

Guatemala: 1960

Congo: 1964

Peru: 1965

Laos: 1964-73

Vietnam: 1961-73

Cambodia: 1969-70

Guatemala: 1967-69

Grenada: 1983

Libya: 1986

El Salvador: 1980s

Nicaragua: 1980s

Panama: 1989

Iraq: 1991-99

Sudan: 1998

Afghanistan: 1998

Yugoslavia: 1999

QUESTION: In how many of these instances did a democratic government,
respectful of human rights, occur as a direct result? Choose one of the
following:

(a) 0

(

zero

(c) none

You Pass.

Comments

Eastern Diamondback

on Nov 29, 2004

1. These aren't all instances of bombing. Some are coups, some are wars, some are bombings, and some are instances of aiding one particular party in a war over another. Several of these actions were undertaken for reason such as removing a Cuban orchestrated communist dictatorship, retaliating against Qaddafi for terrorist actions, and the list goes on.
2. There's no reference to South Korea or Taiwan.
3. I wouldn't be surprised to find this retitled on a the White Aryan Resistance's website as Non-Whites Are Incapable of Civilization. They could just put an asterisk after Yugoslavia and make up a bs excuse.

I surely hope the "historian" William Blum has also published a book called Corrections on My Bullshit.

dabe

on Nov 30, 2004

But, the fact remains, whether we bombed, aided, set up coups, or just invaded a country (Panama) to pluck a citizen (Noriega), criminal that he was, the US has never succeeded in forcing democracy on anyone. Never. And, unless we learn from history that you cannot institute democracy at the end of a gun, we are doomed to repeat and repeat and repeat these tragedies. But, then again, maybe we have learned, and maybe this is proof positive that democracy isn't really the goal. Maybe, it's a self-serving political or monetary interest under the guise of bringing democracy to the world. Gee, now there's a concept.

latour999

on Nov 30, 2004

If you count aiding and assisting coups, what about Chile 9/11/1973?

Draginol

on Nov 30, 2004

Germany, Japan, South Korea spring to mind.

Grim Xiozan

on Nov 30, 2004

Panama: 1989

Is it just me or is everybody missing the obvious bad choice, we bombed Panama and ousted Manuel Noriega so that a democratically elected leader could assume power (a leader who was elected before we attacked but could not assume his role because of Manuel the Dictator).

Link

The Answer is Panama.
So obvious it pains me that everybody has just glazed over it and has not realized it.

- Grim

jeblackstar

on Nov 30, 2004

There's El Salvador too.

Cheers

Evorg

on Nov 30, 2004

Don't forget the Dominican Republic

dabe

on Nov 30, 2004

Hey LW, thanks for reposting my article

I'm glad I left such a wonderful impression.

And, thanks for proving that the whole point of the artilce is completely elusive to you. Geee, go figure........................

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