The biggest mistake of all
For half a century, the American empire was built upon the twin legs of economic relationships and geopolitical goodwill. Admittedly, alot of that "goodwill" was simply the forced self interest of nations who chose the US amidst the Cold War, but nonetheless, the US was perceived internationally as the primary force for freedom and peace.
In most of the world, even in much of the Soviet bloc, the US was perceived as "the good guys."
But please, notice the use of the past tense. Our white hat has been sullied.
The abandonment of the international system by this administration has largely destroyed a half century of goodwill leaving the US in a far weaker geopolitical situation.
And a surge isn't going to fix that.
In most of the world, even in much of the Soviet bloc, the US was perceived as "the good guys."
But please, notice the use of the past tense. Our white hat has been sullied.
The abandonment of the international system by this administration has largely destroyed a half century of goodwill leaving the US in a far weaker geopolitical situation.
And a surge isn't going to fix that.
posted by mikevotes at
8:05 PM
6 Comments:
Our success on the international stage was due to the recognition that America was an "honest broker" in affairs where states disagreed.
Honest broker. We won't be hearing that for a generation or two. Thanks George. I feel safer already.
By
-epm, at 8:38 AM
We can no longer summon the support. Look at the diplomatic efforts over N. Korea and Iran.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 8:45 AM
The constrast between how Americans were viewed in this country between then and now is like night and day.
Trying to explain how Bush was ever elected (much less re-elected) to the locals is quite a task.
By
Praguetwin, at 8:47 AM
The first one I understand. Complex, national politics, whatever.
But, the reelection......
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 11:09 AM
Most of us out here think the election was somehow rigged... If that's incorrect, I'm forced to believe that enough Americans were hoodwinked by a transparently obvious cardboard standup into voting Republican.
By
Anonymous, at 3:21 PM
Local, I'm not sure about rigged, as in the voting machines were widely tampered with (although there is some very curious data,) but it was certainly interfered with by limiting access to voting in very Democratic, black areas in Ohio.
That's the far more subtle way to do it.
And, I certainly do agree with with your second point. If the knowledge of Iraq and the broader actions in the war on terror was as deep then as it is now, I don't think they could have used the vote Democratic and die. Katrina , as well as the continued failure of Iraq, have punctured a hole into that cardboard standup.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 3:31 PM
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