|
Community Links |
Social Groups |
Pictures & Albums |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
|
Thread Tools |
01-19-2010, 07:01 PM | #11121 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
|
Quote:
By the way, I think I might be giving off the impression that post-war reconstruction in Japan was a pain-free enterprise. It wasn't. It was just as bad (if not worse off) as Germany and Italy but the economic and societal turnaround was incredible in terms of its speed and all-encompassing quality. |
01-19-2010, 07:13 PM | #11122 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
|
Quote:
Afghanistan is one of those countries that doesn't fit into the global economy. Their only source of income is poppy production that feeds the rest of the world's herion addiction. Sure they've done that for centuries but it doesn't make it right. They need a new crop.
I'll direct you to the website for the International Council on Security and Development's Poppy For Medicine initiative, a unique counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics program that at once aims to divert the profits and products from poppy cultivation away from extremist groups (and towards a local Afghan pharmaceutical industry) whilst also providing the base for future economic diversification so that the Afghan economy can gradually wean itself from poppy cultivation as its primary source of income. They can explain the rationale behind the initiative much better than I can. Last edited by zuludelta; 01-19-2010 at 07:20 PM.. Reason: edited for grammar |
01-19-2010, 07:17 PM | #11123 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
Posts: 10,649
|
Oh I know. I'm looking for that secret society in the past that crops up from time to time. I just like picking your brain about history and current events. We talked so much about the Joes but we never get into Cobra as much.
|
01-19-2010, 07:24 PM | #11124 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
|
In many ways, I'm much more interested talking about the possible inner workings of Cobra, because it's open to more interpretation and reinterpretation. Only problem is, I'm not as familiar with corporate organisational practices as I am with military ones.
|
01-19-2010, 07:27 PM | #11125 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
|
So what makes the various members of Cobra tick?
Why are they there? Action junkies? Thugs? Greed?
__________________
Join the New England G.I. Joe Collector's Group: Battleforce New England Join the March of Cobra. Read the epic adventure on Kindle Worlds and visit the page to learn more. https://www.facebook.com/marchofcobra/ |
01-19-2010, 07:28 PM | #11126 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
Posts: 10,649
|
Quote:
I really have to strongly disagree with that (but respectfully so). Drastically reducing or outright halting poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, in my mind, would be the equivalent of Douglas MacArthur aiding efforts to prosecute the emperor for war crimes. It would totally turn the indigs against the occupying/assisting forces. Poppy farmers' economic interests (and ensuring that they don't turn to extremist groups to support those interests) is key to long-term stability in the region.
Uh-oh. Isn't that what they are already doing. I'll direct you to the website for the International Council on Security and Development's Poppy For Medicine initiative, a unique counter-insurgency and counter-narcotics program that at once aims to divert the profits and products from poppy cultivation away from extremist groups (and towards a local Afghan pharmaceutical industry) whilst also providing the base for future economic diversification so that the Afghan economy can gradually wean itself from poppy cultivation as its primary source of income. They can explain the rationale behind the initiative much better than I can. |
01-19-2010, 07:29 PM | #11127 |
EQ-Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 4,343
|
Greed, I think. What was the Crimson Guard's secret three-part password again? "Greed, Ambition, and Ruthlessness" or something like that? As we've talked about often and seem to agree on for the most part, Cobra, at least in the original Marvel comics, was really all about unrestrained cut-throat capitalism not bound by common-sense business ethics or economic and political law.
Last edited by zuludelta; 01-19-2010 at 07:35 PM.. |
01-19-2010, 07:33 PM | #11128 |
#voteblackjack
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Northwood, NH
Posts: 35,747
|
Yeah, something like that.
But greed only takes you so far. Is greed worth getting killed over by some made despot? Have any of you read much of the DCU comics? There they have an organization called Kobra. The leader is named Kobra and it's a fanatical religion. They seek to bring about the Kali Yuga, the great destruction and chaos that is needed that will lead to a greater world peace. All the members are worshipers of Kobra. But Cobra was never like that. Why would these people keep following Cobra Commander? I've said that I think Cobra needs to win sometimes. Otherwise the people would just up and leave, it's not profitable to lose all the time.
__________________
Join the New England G.I. Joe Collector's Group: Battleforce New England Join the March of Cobra. Read the epic adventure on Kindle Worlds and visit the page to learn more. https://www.facebook.com/marchofcobra/ |
01-19-2010, 07:35 PM | #11129 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,294
|
I think the problem with trying to work out what makes members of Cobra tick is part and parcel with what makes makes Cobra tick and the issue is that they have a bit of an identity crisis..terrorrists? criminals? evil business conglomerate? rogue nation? there's never been a single reason for being and I think that's what impedes how it sees itself. It may have started in the toy line as just the Joe's evil opposite but as the line grew it had to evolve to suit the changing complexities and sophistication of its audience. Does that make sense? Not sure if I'm conveying what I want to say correctly.
I think out of necessity, Cobra has had to be all these different ideologies to suit the times we're in. They were terrorrists then after 9/11 they had to be criminals so as not to upset the audience. etc etc.. |
01-19-2010, 07:37 PM | #11130 |
W.O.R.M.S. Commander
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Back in the US of A! (NoVA)
Posts: 10,649
|
Quote:
I like to think that some of the better units are made up of professional soldiers who can't find other work. But they all have to be greedy and violent people. |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Please Help! Need filecards! | RockinHard | G.I. Joe Buy Sell Trade | 2 | 10-26-2008 06:14 PM |
Need filecards! | RockinHard | G.I. Joe Buy Sell Trade | 18 | 10-24-2008 09:17 PM |
Filecards Wanted!!!! | RockinHard | G.I. Joe Buy Sell Trade | 5 | 10-17-2008 10:25 PM |
Filecards Wanted! | RockinHard | G.I. Joe Buy Sell Trade | 5 | 10-05-2008 04:15 PM |
Quaid Spills Secrets on "G.I. Joe" | HissCommander | G.I. Joe News and Rumors | 108 | 10-01-2008 11:23 AM |
|
|