The 9/11 events have created a potent and dangerous brew. Bush and co. have a great chance to sell the country on initiatives that would never fly pre 9/11 because people are reluctant to oppose the government now. In time, this advantage will be lost, so the administration has to act quickly, and you know what they say about haste. Initiatives that pre 9/11 would be viewed as shocking attacks on constitutional rights go largely unopposed. Actions that are sold to us as pre-emptive, in the aftermath of 9/11, exploit fear and patriotism. The problem is all this is beginning to look like Ramboism.
Al, can't disagree with what you are saying. However, I do think people are starting to object to this new American militarism in the less conservative parts of the country. I know that out here the level of criticism is starting to rise. And we see that in the polls........I believe the latest polls show Bush at 65% and dropping.
This war on Iraq has the potential to destabilize the world and earn this country the hatred of Arabs for generations to come.
I don't know if it would destabilize the world but I do know that there is growing concern that with no real balance of power, the US might get carried away with itself.
As for the Arabs, I think at times they choose to see us in a negative light in order to support their negative biases including their anti semitism. Both sides have a lot to learn about each other.
Bin Laden may be achieving his objectives with the help of Bush and his administration. And, as you say, the lack of balance of power in the world makes it easier for the US to coerce an "alliance" to carry out this attack. Example: Turkey finally agreed to allow the US to use its bases after the US promised to forgive its debt of billions.
Don't you love it.......Bush is spending like there is no tomorrow [this war in Afghanistan is costing a small fortune] and then he turns around and forgives money owed to us. The conservative agenda is so out of whack, its scary........and worse, they think they are doing God's work.
This is the stuff I worried about after the 2000 election. The Sup. Ct's unprecedented intervention in the election set a very dangerous tone. I have this sinking feeling that in the near future, we will learn how important democracy really is to Americans.
ted |
