*OT* Mg*urice, isn't it all realpolitik? The Chinese people/govt are big boys. So the US mistakenly (yes, I know the conspiracy theorists are wanking about intentionality) bombed a minor league embassy in downtown Belgrade. So what? War is hell -- move on. So the Chinese govt will use it to extract concessions from the US during the next WTO negotiations -- no problem. Do you think the Chinese govt really cares about its silly embassy? Not a chance.
At this point in world history, the US is the world's unelected policeman for good or bad, and the US taxpayers certainly pay an ungodly amount to send military armaments and soldiers flinging around the planet. The Europeans wouldn't (couldn't) do anything about Milosevic so they pleaded with the US/UN to do something -- disgraceful if you ask me. Europeans whine about fat, ugly Americans with their horrid TV programs invading their homes and then can't police their own sphere of influence without help from the big boys.
Anyway, I'm afraid of your response -- in terms of length, not quality :-) I personally would prefer a more international police force but it doesn't exist at this point and, thus, can't be used against the inevitable nut cases who pop up every once in a while.
As a G* shareholder, I'm enjoying the jihad by the know-nothings in the US House/Senate against China in their cause to resurrect the Cold War and try to get their very inexperienced, lightweight and aristocratic boy George, Jr. elected. I see it as less competition for G* and will help G* get to the 2nd gen system and profit nirvana.
Since the Cold War has disappeared as an issue, the Christian Coalition (I mean Republican Party) has had a difficult time getting elected. Heck, after the Clintonian Democrats took their economic/tax issues away, the Repubs have been flailing away and alienating the US public by their moral lecturing and interference with private citizen liberties (i.e., abortion and listening to some excellent rap music and seeing movies with a little sex without censorship). But, ever since the Christian Coalition took over the Repubs from the local, then state and now national level, what can you expect from them? yours, djane |
