WHO is the next superpower?

[Zykorinov]

Canada is the next superpower.

Shut the fuck up...

*pulls out rolled up newspaper and whacks* Exasperation I can understand, but usually a STFU does not exactly promote discussion. So please refrain from issuing them.

Fine, fine. And what newspaper do you get? Some kind of stone age tablet? Jeez...

The Japan Times of course.

And please note that this was an unofficial warning, nothing more.

Yeah, I picked that up.
And you live in Japan? Wow, I never knew that.

[Lackadaisical2]

No, its definitely more insane than any of those- rogue Japanese missile attacks on Poland? really?

Well, actually, Poland won't likely have the space system the U.S. would have at that time (this is all going off of Friedman's forecast, not my own). The "Battle Stars" that Friedman tells would be the main space-based tracking weapons the U.S. would develop are exclusively for and used by the U.S. Those rogue attacks would be by the Japanese, yes, but not against Poland--the threat would come, primarily, from Turkey and Japan backing Turkey to expand into that region beyond the Caucasus and into Poland and the Baltic states, eventually.

The attacks would be against said Battle Stars from a clandestine Japanese base on the moon, and the "missiles" would actually be a plethora of moon rocks with rocket things (I forget exactly what they were) attached to them to give them necessary kinetic energy to bombard the Battle Star targeted, hoping a few hit seeing as though the Battle Star couldn't move to avoid such an attack, and destroy it--one of only three of its kind orbiting the Earth.

Crazy shit, I know.

I feel like I just drank a fifth, just from reading that.

[Rhodmhire]

China is probably going to end up invading the US, or US invading China.

No, they won't.

Because "power in numbers" only takes you so far in the real world.

Seriously, I do not think any actual country (terrorist organizations are not countries) is contemplating an invasion of U.S. soil at this point or in any point in the next few decades.

That's another Friedman point (which I am spewing a lot of here), one of the advantages the U.S. has had and will continue to have is that nobody is ballsy enough, really, to try and attack us on our own turf in a serious manner. In that respect, war tends to help us economically and do little to tarnish our morale, since we, unlike Europe, were not close to obliterated during either of the two world wars, nor any other war subsequent to those wars really.

At least, on the scale that Europe was. Sure we were attacked and I think Kiska was occupied during WWII, but they are blips on the radar scale (not trying to make the deaths/reality of it less than what they are) in contrast to what other nations have experienced.

Or something like that.

Eh.

[Natapoc]

I keep reading "World Health Organization" is the next superpower because you capitalized the word who.

[Manahakatouki]

I gotta say Greece or South Africa For the Win

Of course! Greece! Them and their amazing economy! We should fear for the Greek uprising...I'm kinda kidding...kinda not....they could bounce back......and kick us in the rear....

[Lackadaisical2]

China is probably going to end up invading the US, or US invading China.

No, they won't.

Because "power in numbers" only takes you so far in the real world.

Seriously, I do not think any actual country (terrorist organizations are not countries) is contemplating an invasion of U.S. soil at this point or in any point in the next few decades.

That's another Friedman point (which I am spewing a lot of here), one of the advantages the U.S. has had and will continue to have is that nobody is ballsy enough, really, to try and attack us on our own turf in a serious manner. In that respect, war tends to help us economically and do little to tarnish our morale, since we, unlike Europe, were not close to obliterated during either of the two world wars, nor any other war subsequent to those wars really.

At least, on the scale that Europe was. Sure we were attacked and I think Kiska was occupied during WWII, but they are blips on the radar scale (not trying to make the deaths/reality of it less than what they are) in contrast to what other nations have experienced.

Or something like that.

Eh.

Well, thats probably the only thing I can agree with, it helps to have two big oceans, and two smaller (population-wise), expansive nations as your only major neighbors, both who are fairly friendly- sort of makes invading us difficult, even if someone wanted to.

[Rhodmhire]

I feel like I just drank a fifth, just from reading that.

I haven't even gotten to the part about projectile missiles being launched from the moon or the fact that he doesn't mention the words global and warming in the same sentence once in the forecast.

[Zykorinov]

I gotta say Greece or South Africa For the Win

Of course! Greece! Them and their amazing economy! We should fear for the Greek uprising...I'm kinda kidding...kinda not....they could bounce back......and kick us in the rear....

Pfft. The sale of gyros is skyrocketing. It's just a matter of time before Greece rises to the top on the back of its delicious, meaty morsels.

[Blob-land]

Canada is the next superpower.

Shut the fuck up...

*pulls out rolled up newspaper and whacks* Exasperation I can understand, but usually a STFU does not exactly promote discussion. So please refrain from issuing them.

Fine, fine. And what newspaper do you get? Some kind of stone age tablet? Jeez...

The Japan Times of course.

And please note that this was an unofficial warning, nothing more.

Yeah, I picked that up.
And you live in Japan? Wow, I never knew that.

Off topic: I'm taking Japanese in school. I think I know "The" and that'd be it.

[Rhodmhire]

Well, thats probably the only thing I can agree with, it helps to have two big oceans, and two smaller nations as your only major neighbors, both who are fairly friendly- sort of makes invading us difficult, even if someone wanted to.

Yeah, the two big oceans thing plays a huge role throughout the book, and that was one of those things I always sort of knew about but never considered on the level he delved into. Beyond the fact that they're pretty big ass, it isn't too bad to have them both for meritime trade and to launch a naval command from.

And our hat and pants generally fit nice and snug, yes. Of course the hat does ooze some brown, sticky liquid sometimes--and it's kind of cold--but whatever, we've gotten used to it after 1812.

[Manahakatouki]

I gotta say Greece or South Africa For the Win

Of course! Greece! Them and their amazing economy! We should fear for the Greek uprising...I'm kinda kidding...kinda not....they could bounce back......and kick us in the rear....

Pfft. The sale of gyros is skyrocketing. It's just a matter of time before Greece rises to the top on the back of its delicious, meaty morsels.

Mmmm..Meat....

[Lackadaisical2]

I feel like I just drank a fifth, just from reading that.

I haven't even gotten to the part about projectile missiles being launched from the moon or the fact that he doesn't mention the words global and warming in the same sentence once in the forecast.

heh, thats one of the reasons I could see Canada or Russia being a super power some time in the future, not the next one, but maybe the next one after that, or the next one...

Of course, supporters for either of those two have not given satisfactory answers, as if anyone here has taken this discussion terribly seriously.

[Fedeledland]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

[Rhodmhire]

I feel like I just drank a fifth, just from reading that.

I haven't even gotten to the part about projectile missiles being launched from the moon or the fact that he doesn't mention the words global and warming in the same sentence once in the forecast.

heh, thats one of the reasons I could see Canada or Russia being a super power some time in the future, not the next one, but maybe the next one after that, or the next one...

Of course, supporters for either of those two have not given satisfactory answers, as if anyone here has taken this discussion terribly seriously.

Well I tried, but that political analysist Jew took over my keyboa--

--wait...*Googles around a bit* oh, I guess he isn't Jewish...you'd think with a last name like that...huh.

[Self--Esteem]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

No way! They are going to end up with the monopoly in porn and sleazy midnight TV. That's enough for them to become the new superpower.

[Hahklallah]

I gotta say Greece or South Africa For the Win

Of course! Greece! Them and their amazing economy! We should fear for the Greek uprising...I'm kinda kidding...kinda not....they could bounce back......and kick us in the rear....

Pfft. The sale of gyros is skyrocketing. It's just a matter of time before Greece rises to the top on the back of its delicious, meaty morsels.

Mmmm..Meat....

I'll keep the tab of people rooting for Greece

[Rhodmhire]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

Bull, the Vatican > Italy.

Papacy rhymes with...nuclear warfare? Nah.

[Miyager]

The only way America will cease Superpower status is if all of man-kind is killed off.

[Techno-Soviet]

The World Health Organisation is the next superpower?

I agree entirely.

Fear their white coats and syringes. It will be the last thing you will ever see.

[Hahklallah]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

Bull, the Vatican > Italy.

Papacy rhymes with...nuclear warfare? Nah.

Papacy and Da Pussy sound a lot alike

[Former Reblle]

I will be Germany! HA!!!

[Fedeledland]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

Bull, the Vatican > Italy.

Papacy rhymes with...nuclear warfare? Nah.

The Vatican is not part of Italy, plus during the Reinainssance, the Papal States were one of the most expansionist kingdoms on Italy. Also, when did I talk of nuclear warfare? I said they will poison every person not allied with them with poisoned pasta. Those who do not like pasta are a minority and won't be able to survive

[Pythria]

Canada is the next superpower.

It better not be China, although I wouldn't be that surprised. They've got a massive amount of money from selling anything to anyone (nuclear equipment to Iran and Pakistan, arms to various countries like Sudan, cheap crap to us). Besides, they could call the debt (you know, that multi-trillion dollar debt we owe them?) anytime, although I doubt it. It would destroy our economy, which would in turn destroy the world's economy. Anyway, while China is a communist dictatorship and a crappy place to live, they're definitely an emerging military and economic power.

[Blob-land]

Again:

no... ITALY will be the new superpowers. They'll kill everyone with poisoned pasta and take over the world

I hate noodles, muahahaha! No, seriously, I freakin hate noodles, it's like eating worms, but not meaty enough.

[Hahklallah]

I will be Germany! HA!!!

I agree Hiel der Faterland!