Ted Re...So now, Germany has two things going on.......it wants to contain Iraq and go after al Qaeda. At the same time, its asserting its independence from American domination.
And unfortunately, we are coming off looking like the bad guy. Is that clearer to you?
In europe, I have no doubt we are coming off as the bad guy. Here in the Us, Europes efforts to break up NATO, and their lack of concern for our national security, paints them as the bad guys. I have no doubt, they have a personality clash with GW, however, that is hardly a reason to work against common security problems.
If that's what Americans take away from this flap, then I would say they are not seeing the whole picture very clearly.
Most Americans agree that GW should go it alone, without UN approval, if necessary. Depending upon how many WMD they find afterwards,, , most here will consider him a hero.
A majority of Americans are prepared to go it along but but they would prefer a coalition.
So the 2004 elections probably rest upon what they find afterwards. Secondly, while Europe wants to close its eyes to OBL, one must remember that, while most terrorist attacks are against Israel, OBL has US, african,asian, and some have targeted Europe. Once Europe has its 9/11, you can bet their, no war stance will change.
I hope you mean Saddam and not OBL.
assuming you are saying that out of pique because only a fool would say the EU is facing irrelevancy......and I know you are not a fool. ;~))
In fact, the EU is in the ascendent.
The EU hasn't done nearly as well as they hoped. That is not to say it won't ever, but so far the concept has been a bust.
Its not a bust. Some would argue that the Germans are keeping too tight a control over the EU's central bank. And there is the expected friction between 12[?] member states
that are giving up a piece of their nationality and the loss of their borders for the twin purposes of unity and commerce. However, my European friends think its going better than was expected.
IN addition,I agree with Europe's take on who the real problem is.
Of course. Some places in Europe hate Gw almost as much as you do. However, I got to admit, you hated him before they did.
And I don't want us to lose Europe as an ally........they are invaluable.
It would be unlikely, Europe and the US will ever get as chummy as we were in the 70s and 80s. However, a lot of time people in a relationship split apart, but remain friends. That is where I think we are going. Friends, but more distant than we may like.
If that's what it is, then that's what it is.
ted |
