At least the Canadians have some perspective.
Ok, here is how it looks to the only socalist ever born in Texas.
1. Bush is an Idiot but he makes up for it by surrounding himself with people who are much smarter than he is. Â I voted for him instead of Gore, who I agree with on many more topics than Bush because I trust Powell, Chaney and their spokesman Bush to strengthen the US military, keep China from invading Taiwan, keep India and Pakistan from comming to blows and arbitrate peace in Isreal. Â It's worth putting off clean air a few more years to prevent WW3.
2. Blair is very sharp. Â I am very impressed watching him on cspan (american cable channel)
3. There is no such thing as altruism. Â Every action, even good actions are motivated in part by benefit to one's self. Â Action in Kosovo and Somalia were intended to help people as well as provide stability and peace in general. Â This is good for everyone. Â People in Somalia refused to be helped, and the UN left.
4. The Gulf War was an international effort led by us because we have the largest military. Â Everyone involved had intrests there. Â The sanctions are a horrible political quagmire. Â A failed attempt to keep Sadam from terrorizing his neighbors peacefully.
5. If Saudi wants us out we are obligated to leave. Â We can not keep an unwelcome presence in an allied nation. Â Kuwait does owe us a huge favor that I hope they would respect. Â
6. Most Europeans are not communists. Â There is nothing wrong with being a communist. Â However, communism is an extreme form of government that does not work in most countries.
7. We helped more in ww1 with economic support rather than military. Â The situation of who had a large powerful military to lend to it's allies defence was quite reversed at that time. Â We were a back water port for people being kicked out of all the decent countries at that time.
8. WW2 could not have been won without the combined effort of UK, US, and USSR. Â Don't you dare tell the 8th air force that the USA didn't contribute. Â Thousands died in daylight bombing raids to cripple the third Reich.
9. We are Damned if we do and Damned if we don't. Â You just can't please everyone and angry people are always the loudest. Â Further more, geopolitics is very complicated and actions by any government are subject to being misunderstood by it's people and everyone else's as well. Â There are plenty of old sayings about good intentions.
10. Europe is in a state of flux between many fragmented nations and one cohesive nation. Â The transition is liable to take many, many years and is the natural progression of an ever shrinking world. Â The US should be willing to provide military assistance to the EU with places like the Balkins when they start to heat up.
Lets all quit playing the blame game and try to get along and solve problems before something unbelieveably horrible happens.
