I don't believe that.

Many (possibly most) people are greedy and self-serving. But I've also known good and selfless people in my life.

It's also true that I most often hear comments like yours as a justification right before the person is about to do something selfish and greedy.

In context, there's a good chance it's mostly true for nations. But not for people. Some people get more satisfaction out of a sense of justice or altruism than they get from money or politics. It's rare for them to rise to positions of power in government, though.

Too true.

Tom Friedman was convincing on the troop numbers being the real problem. He noted that since most of the real troublemakers are coming in from other countries, more troops would have enabled them to close off the borders and make it more difficult and prevent a lot of the chaos.

I dunno how many troops would be necessary to close off the desert border, or what sort of crystal ball would have been necessary to envision and plan for such a thing. I guess if we had enough of them they could all just link hands across the desert or something.

I should have been more specific...I didn't express myself clearly. No *government* acts out of altruism. Even our overseas disaster relief efforts are an ongoing advertisement for American democracy.

Ah, then we are in agreement. Altruism is a rare trait to begin with and I've never seen an altruist in a government position.

We did the same thing in Afgahanistan and it makes no sense to me. If you're trying to chase them out, all well and good. But if you're catch them, seal the exits, Duh.
It seems to me me with all the high tech gadgetry, especially night vision capabilities, they ought to be able to watch the borders. Even easier when it's a god damned desert. :mad: