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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (41794)	12/27/2001 8:00:18 AM
From: jlallen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

In sum, one can be magnanimous only in a context where one commands respect. Our problem has been less a matter of "bullying" than of not being willing to behave like a great power. I agree 100%. JLA

To: Neocon who wrote (41794)	12/27/2001 11:45:54 AM
From: Greg or e	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 82486

"Our problem has been less a matter of "bullying" than of not being willing to behave like a great power." Morning Neo. I think I have to agree with most of what you have said. In many areas the U.S has failed to live up to it's responsibilities as the only truly great power in the world, (at least that gives a care) and taken the easy way out. However, and it's a fairly big however, the U.S has also overstepped and misused it's position to gain political and financial dominance in areas that end up hurting the same people that they would or should like to help. Let me give you a couple of examples. First, the political markers that were called in and extended to countries that don't give a rats ass for their own people never mind ours, in the wake of 9\11 are yet to be seen, but will undoubtably come back to haunt all of us in the future. Much of what we are dealing with now is the result of short term thinking in the past.- Secondly on a more practical level. The incredible and unnecessary level of patent protection given to big drug companies at the expense of sick and dying people is unconscionable. I do not begrudge anyone deriving a "fair" profit from hard work, but I think they need to reevaluate what amounts to twenty year monopolies, on drugs that mean the difference between life and death for many people. The cost of Aids drugs to third word countries is just one small example of the "profit principal", over people. The thing with Cuba seems petty to the rest of the world. If they are that bad, take them out! The U.S. comes across as looking like they just want to save face at this point. I think open trade with Cuba would end the Castro regime faster and cheaper than any economic embargo. Certainly, putting Canadian executives in jail, or denying them access to the U.S. looks bad politically. Hope you and yours had a great Christmas season. Greg