Earlier today I read on an article on BBC News that I found very troubling. Cheney is in Ukraine offering aid to the countries of the former Soviet bloc to combat Russia. I do not know why we are still trying to get involved with the conflict in Eastern Europe. This is completely unnecessary and has almost nothing to do with us. I guess my two biggest questions would have to be: What kind of threat do Russia's actions actually pose to national security? And where is the U.S. planning to get the money to aid Ukraine from? We are already tied up in a war that is estimated to cost upwards of $2 trillion. Actions such as this, I believe, are drawing us dangerously close to another Cold War that we cannot afford.
The most we should do about this conflict is well, nothing. This is none of our business, these matters have nothing to do with national defense and we should not treat it as such by aiding foreign militaries. I understand the interest in Azerbaijan, but taking action in this matter would just heighten tension and cause escalation of the issues they are already facing in the east. I do not want our country to be led into another cold war, or any war for that matter. I fear that if the U.S. does send aid to the countries of the former Soviet bloc it will be a first step to the second Cold War. Also I believe that some people in the world would view us as instigators of escalating the conflict, because our main interest does lie in Azerbaijan. People would also see us as greedy for that wanting to help Azerbaijan. For those who do not know, Azerbaijan has oil; see the correlation? The U.S. needs to examine the implication of such gestures before carrying them out. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions and exam the foreseeable consequences of our actions in other countries. One of the last things we need is more people nay saying our actions in world affairs. Most of the world, U.S. citizens included, questions our actions in Iraq. They are right to do so. Iraq was a poorly planned and executed attack. We should have never invaded Iraq; they were doing nothing to threaten us in any way. Especially now with Iraq's new government allowing China, not the U.S., to drill for oil on their soil. That is the thanks we get for building their government back out of obscurity.
Ever since the Korean War the U.S. has felt the need to go around policing the world trying to rid it of all evil and promote democracy. We have no right or responsibility to do so. People, countries included, do not want to be meddled with. People want to do things for themselves. No one wants an overbearing big brother to step in and tell you that you are doing it all wrong. Oh, and did I mention that this big brother knows the exact way you should go about YOUR business. It is basic human nature to create. People do want to create their own forms of government, and we should respect that and be diplomatic rather than trying to change them through force. Many countries have a severe disdain for the way in which the U.S. goes about trying to control other countries just because we can. The U.S. needs to start taking interest in our own affairs rather than those of foreign countries. I fear that if we keep playing bully one day all of the kids will feel the need to push back.
America's first responsibility is unto itself. Our job is not build up foreign countries or aid foreign militaries; our job is to carry on the legacy of the best dang country this world has ever seen. We want to add to our legacy, not take away from it. I for one want to live in a country that spends more money on improving OUR economy, OUR government, and OUR security; rather than foreign countries. I want the issues important to everyday Americans to be addressed. Issues like the link between the lack of discretionary spending and entitlement programs. Most of all, I want to have a sense of pride in my country's decisions, government and status; but right now I don't think I can say that.
I typed this thing in response without proofreading so please excuse my horrible grammar.
that is all I can say right now. I just finished Max Payne 2, and before that Max Payne 1. Both games are amazing, the story, setting and dialogue captures that 20's, 30's and 40's noir style while still preserving its own originality. Both games are not very long, but what's there is pure gold. I have not played a game with a story that good in a while. Although Max Payne 1's story was just a tad bit better than the Max Payne 2, the gameplay in "2" makes up for it by a mile. Implementing the Havok physics engine is exactly what that game needed. I caught myself at times just unloading whole clips into my foes just to see the way their body took the shots. You can trigger this cinematic slow-motion sequence called "bullet-time" where your foes are in slow motion and you just dive through the air unloading into them, it is quite satisfying. I would deffinitely reccomend this game to anyone. If you do decide to play this game and you never have before, I urge you to play it on the PC. Your experiance will be much more enjoyable. So to sum it all up..
Max Payne
Pros: Great story, good gameplay, cinematic experiance.
Cons: Short
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Pros: Story, Awesome gameplay, cinematic experiance, fun physics engine.
Cons: Shorter than the original Max Payne.
