Is History Destined To Repeat Itself?

2016-02-18T19:31:07-05:00

The Great Wall of China was built to keep the "Barbarians Out". The Chinese felt they were far superior to their neighbors. So, they built the Great Wall. Eventually these "Barbarians" caught up and surpassed the Chinese Culture, because the Chinese culture became stagnant by keeping "others" out. Are we destined to repeat the same mistake as the Chinese?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-02-18T19:38:28-05:00

No, because this country WELCOMES people in but doing so properly and legally.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Feb 18 at 2016 8:16 PM

2016-02-18T20:16:15-05:00

I'll do you one better. We are destined to fall, if we don't change our ways, as we're seeing with the growth of anarchy and unaccountability, and they (the Chinese) are destined to become even more ascendant on the world stage as we're seeing in the Paracel Islands. Remember, most great civilizations, including Rome, fell from within.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Feb 18 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-02-18T20:19:01-05:00

The direction that we are headed... I think so..

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 18 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-02-18T20:19:59-05:00

Well the Great Wall of China actually served three purposes (1) building program which kept many employed; (2) keep barbarians out; and (3) keep people in for multiple reasons - for protection, for stopping them from joining the enemy, or as spies for the enemy Sgt Jay Jones
A multi-dimensional protective barrier which would serve to provide early warning; deterrence; above, on and underground blocking with an interdictory force would help in many ways. While it not be nearly as artistic as the Great wall of China, it would (1) be a jobs program for many; (2) reduce overland drug traffic and sex slave and other slave traffic; (3) reduce the number of illegals traveling back and forth and hopefully terminate many of the human coyotes; (4) demonstrate that our national government is actually serious about enforcing immigration law in an age of terror; and (5) hopefully allow for more legal immigration of those who have patiently followed the process.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 18 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-02-18T20:25:36-05:00

Well if it does, do we get to use it for tourism revenue? I only see the barbarians outsmarting us not because we're inept or we want to stay to ourselves thinking we are better than anyone else, but lets face facts....WE ARE BETTER than everyone else. Personal pride be damned, we really are. But they'll do it in ways a wall of any kind won't support. They have tourism to here, economic pressure, the internet, and power of the purse. So any wall that is put up will be taken down EVEN if the wall was left up. Want to impress me? Make wall of laws so tight that any business that wants to move operations out of the US to make more profit pays dearly in doing so. We're expected to "Buy American" , ""Support American goods". All great when only the company HQ is in the states.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 18 at 2016 9:07 PM

2016-02-18T21:07:48-05:00

This is growing tiresome. Is anyone else as annoyed as I with the inferences raised by this topic? No one is advocating an end to immigration, not even that buffoon Donald Trump. However, We the People (who are aware and informed) do have legitimate concerns over the invasion occurring that threatens our security. Anyone who can't see the difference between legal immigration and illegal trespass or even invasion, is only fooling themselves. We are a nation of immigrants. Not to put too fine a point on it, but everyone, even those who describe themselves as "native Americans" are descended of immigrants. There is no evidence that any race of men appeared spontaneously on any American continent. Every group who came conquered the land despite every natural and man made challenge. Every group found to take territory from those who arrived before them. That's historical fact. We are descended of rebels, every one of us. Striving against all odds to better ourselves and pass a better heritage onto our progeny is hardwired into our genes. Those who come with the honest intent of adopting the American culture and becoming part of us is welcome. Those who cross our borders illegally are not welcome. Those who wish to invade us are not welcome. Those who wish to supplant our culture with theirs are not welcome. Those Americans who are ashamed of our culture and wish to emulate others, should go and live among them to learn what theirs is really like. All that being said, there is no parallel between the American experience and the Chinese experience. Indeed, I can well imagine that many Chinese would take offense at the comparison.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Feb 18 at 2016 9:11 PM

2016-02-18T21:11:57-05:00

Sgt Jay Jones My English history is weak. How long did "Hadrian's Wall" last? The Scots were rampaging savages at one time. A friend went to Britain, 'Space A' multiple times in an attempt to walk the length of Hadrian's Wall.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:23 PM

2016-02-18T21:23:43-05:00

No for one simple reason, the Internet. Chinese culture stagnated because of a lack of new ideas. The Internet doesn't let that happen

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 18 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-02-18T23:04:11-05:00

History may not repeat itself...but it rhymes.

Response by Tim McClellan made Feb 19 at 2016 1:00 AM

2016-02-19T01:00:27-05:00

Potentially, but in those days they didn't have plainclothed terrorists. So while we should allow other, in we must not lose site of National Security.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Feb 19 at 2016 4:49 AM

2016-02-19T04:49:34-05:00

I am all for securing our boarders, but I don't think the answer is a wall. I guess because I saw the "Berlin Wall" go up and I also saw it come down. I guess I echo Pope Francis. We need to build bridges not walls. IMHO.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 7:21 AM

2016-02-19T07:21:41-05:00

First of all .... Chinese culture DID not become stagnant. It is their military and economy become stagnant. You are twisting the history to fit your present political topic. The Barbarians take over China militarily. They conquered China militarily, but Culturally? The Chinese culture take over the barbarians society, the barbarians technically become Chinese and start following majority of the Chinese social norm and culture .

The Great wall work as it design, it is the military asset behind it cost too much to operate to keep the wall effective. Thus allow the barbarians to go through the defenses and take over China.

America's immigration problem is not remotely comparable to the Great Wall. Because our country ALLOW foreigner to come in and stay. We are committing a culture suicide.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:49 AM

2016-02-19T08:49:40-05:00

I seriously doubt it. Unlike in ancient Asia, we now have a global economy, including our southern neighbor. Building any kind of wall, whether it is physically massive to deter illegal immigration will not lead to the decline of our nation due to the free exchange of ideas via the internet and the fact that we are still allowing other, more entrepreneurial entities to enter and leave the United States at will. For argument, we'd be worse off closing the border with Canada, a more educated and productive society. This comment is based at the national level, purely on GDP and is not intended to slight individuals or their work ethic. Bottom line is that we maintain ties with much more prosperous nations which enable our growth and continued influence. We also won't cut ties with Mexico. This is an effort to stop and ILLEGAL act happening.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 8:54 AM

2016-02-19T08:54:24-05:00

No, because we do embrace other cultures. What we don't embrace is lawlessness. I could care less who wants to come to this country, just do it legally.

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made Feb 20 at 2016 10:07 AM

2016-02-20T10:07:45-05:00

Always.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 20 at 2016 4:52 PM

2016-02-20T16:52:58-05:00

"Good fences make good neighbors" Robert Frost

Response by PO1 Matthew Hotard made Feb 20 at 2016 8:18 PM

2016-02-20T20:18:14-05:00

You yourself stated in your question the difference. They were trying to keep their culture pure, we are not we are the great melting pot with cultures from around the world. What we are trying to keep out are the people who are coming here to suck the benefits we offer and not contribute to the benefits this country has to offer.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 22 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-02-22T15:43:03-05:00

No, the US is not in danger of this mistake. The US allows more legal immigration than any developed nation. And, today, new information and ideas come more often through the internet than through physical immigration. China may be in danger of repeating this mistake though, as it shuts down their internet to outside influence and ideas.