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Politics : Moderate Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rrufff who wrote (5014)	12/15/2003 2:20:29 PM
From: TigerPaw	Respond to of 20773

The real stealing will not be finished until the Iraqi resources are sold in a privitization effort. That's when the Iraqi's will learn that they are doomed to mud hovels until the oil runs out. <font color=navy> "I weep for you," the Walrus said: "I deeply sympathize." With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket-handkerchief Before his streaming eyes. </font> TP

To: rrufff who wrote (5014)	12/15/2003 2:28:02 PM
From: Dale Baker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20773

The international arena is succumbing to the same base pressures that corrupted our domestic politics - the posturing, the name calling, etc. We have seen it in varying amounts from all sides. Looking for solutions in that environment strikes me as somewhat ass-backwards. International agreements happen when parties sit down first and build respect and trust. Then they can move forward with a policy with shared risk. If one agrees with my belief that US unilateralism is untenable on most fronts, then securing foreign cooperation becomes an imperative, not just a luxury that would be nice to have if everyone agrees with us. That's why I am looking for a candidate next year that starts from the premise of respect for other nations instead of requiring outcomes before negotiations even begin. Too much Capitol Hill browbeating and horsetrading has infected our approach to foreign policy. In my career I dealt with Europeans, Africans and Indian Ocean cultures. I know for a fact the Beltway approach won't work. From what I have heard about Asia and Latin America the chances of success there are equally slim. That's why the Iraq coalition only brought in 1/3 of the possible members. Going back to Iraq, all the US had to do was sit down with France, Germany and Russia and say look, we have two big issues, reconstruction contracts and debt relief. Let's hammer out an understanding that everyone can live with and contribute to. Instead the approach was "*&%^ you, you don't get to play, but help us out with the debt." Face it, we don't respond to other countries when they approach us that way, nor should we. Time to swallow some pride and ruffled feathers and make a real effort to build and lead a true coalition that respects our partners instead of dissing anyone who doesn't snap to and salute on cue. If we don't rebuild those bridges, other major powers will get together and leave us behind on some serious issues. When Atlantic and Pacific alliances weaken, a bunch of leaders from Paris to Tokyo will start to imagine a world shaped around that orientation instead. (FWIW I see that trend already emerging.)