The Little Bush Has Blown U.S. Global Authority
It is becoming ever more clear as the snippet below from the NY Times article ("Across Africa, a Sense That U.S. Power Isn’t So Super") all too clearly indicates -- that Bush's "war on terror" has not only failed miserably. It has blown American authority -- moral, political, and even military -- in the wider world.
Who now trembles at the threat of American military attacks or calls for sanctions? Scarcely Iran, North Korea, Sudan, the Taliban, or any others who in an earlier era showed restraint when we either appealed or barked. Bush and Co. have clearly blown it. Perhaps it will be a healthier world for all now that it is not dominated by a super power that is manifesting not a few problems at home -- no universal medical coverage, jobs heading overseas, affordable housing not in sight, millions (33 or 34) going hungry, and a social fabric which has our younger generation trying to figure out how to get rich rather than contributing public service to their communities?
No model democracy are we anymore. Racism is on the rise. We are insulting our Latinos and by extension most of those living south of our borders. Smart Americans will soon be moving out -- perhaps to Canada which may turn out to offer the best possible future for those of us left in this continent?
How sad to have lost it all in six short years.
.............................
Across Africa, a Sense That U.S. Power Isn’t So Super
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By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: December 24, 2006
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Forum: African Politics
MOGADISHU, Somalia
THE rally was supposed to be against Ethiopia, Somalia’s neighbor and historic archenemy, which in the past few weeks had sent troops streaming across the border in an attempt to check the power of the increasingly powerful Islamists who rule Mogadishu.
But the cheers that shook the stadium (which had no roof, by the way, and was riddled with bullet holes) were about another country, far, far away.
“Down, down U.S.A.!” thousands of Somalis yelled, many of them waving cocked Kalashnikovs. “Slit the throats of the Americans!”
Not exactly soothing words, especially when the passport in your pocket has one of those golden eagles on it. [snip]
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CollegeConversation
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Israel_Palestine
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Who now trembles at the threat of American military attacks or calls for sanctions? Scarcely Iran, North Korea, Sudan, the Taliban, or any others who in an earlier era showed restraint when we either appealed or barked. Bush and Co. have clearly blown it. Perhaps it will be a healthier world for all now that it is not dominated by a super power that is manifesting not a few problems at home -- no universal medical coverage, jobs heading overseas, affordable housing not in sight, millions (33 or 34) going hungry, and a social fabric which has our younger generation trying to figure out how to get rich rather than contributing public service to their communities?
No model democracy are we anymore. Racism is on the rise. We are insulting our Latinos and by extension most of those living south of our borders. Smart Americans will soon be moving out -- perhaps to Canada which may turn out to offer the best possible future for those of us left in this continent?
How sad to have lost it all in six short years.
.............................
Across Africa, a Sense That U.S. Power Isn’t So Super
Article Tools Sponsored By
By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: December 24, 2006
Skip to next paragraph
Readers’ Opinions
Forum: African Politics
MOGADISHU, Somalia
THE rally was supposed to be against Ethiopia, Somalia’s neighbor and historic archenemy, which in the past few weeks had sent troops streaming across the border in an attempt to check the power of the increasingly powerful Islamists who rule Mogadishu.
But the cheers that shook the stadium (which had no roof, by the way, and was riddled with bullet holes) were about another country, far, far away.
“Down, down U.S.A.!” thousands of Somalis yelled, many of them waving cocked Kalashnikovs. “Slit the throats of the Americans!”
Not exactly soothing words, especially when the passport in your pocket has one of those golden eagles on it. [snip]
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CollegeConversation
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PeaceEfforts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EndingPoverty
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/440neighborhood
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StudentConcerns
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AcademicFreedom
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PrivacyRights
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Israel_Palestine
http://BlogByEdKent.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggernews.net
posted by Ed Kent at 9:48 AM
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