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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: cnyndwllr who wrote (136855)	6/17/2004 11:33:21 AM
From: Andrew N. Cothran	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Very interesting analysis from one who needs to apply for a speech writing position with the Kerry gang. Yours is the typical Demo line which we have to listen to ad infinitum ad nauseum. If you like to read history, go back and read Teddy Roosevelt's biography. What you say now about Bush was spouted loud and clear by your 1901-1904 think alikes when attempting to undermine the administration of Theodore Roosevelt. He had Cuba, the Philippines, the emergence of the Panama Canal, et. al. to worry about. And there were the same number of Roosevelt haters back then because of what he stood for and for what he did just as their modern day counterparts attack Bush--for what he stands for and what he is doing. And you would have us revert to the moanings and meanderings of our good European partners (partners, as it turns out, who had their hands deeply in the oil-for-food til) which explains why they were opposed to America's actions in Iraq and why they continue to be opposed. As for Bill! Let him sell his book. Let him explain his relationships with Monica. (I did it because I could get away with it!) He said. Meanwhile, Osama ben Laden was doing what he was doing during Clinton's watch because he (ben Laden) found out that he could get away with it. God spare us Bill's ". . .tremendous ability to influence world leaders". And God spare all naive interns from permitting Bill to do it because he could get away with it.

To: cnyndwllr who wrote (136855)	6/17/2004 11:42:44 AM
From: pompsander	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

"Most people have little or no confidence in the honesty or morality of Clinton. He's no better than many of our and Britian's past leaders and he's no worse in that respect. Most people do, however, have a tremendous respect for his ability to influence world leaders, connect to the people on the street throughout the world and to outthink almost anyone. If we have a chance to elect a president with those talents in a time of crucial need again, then he would easily defeat a simplistic, easily influenced and pedestrian thinker like Bush; especially after he'd proven, as Bush has, that he is virtually incompetent in making his "vision" a reality." I totally agree with this analysis. We all have our personal stories and insights on the situation in which we find ourselves. One of mine involves an old law school classmate who has been an american diplomat for over thirty years. While he is a mid-level drone (using his own term), and not a name anyone would know, he has served in several European capitals under four administrations, beginning with Reagan. He and I got together for dinner the other night for the first time in years. This guy is pretty darn conservative, always has been...and while I don't know his choice in Presidential elections (and he wouldn't tell me if I asked), I suspect he has leaned Republican. Well, if he could have added his name to that recent list of former diplomats and military leaders challenging our present strategy, he would have. I have never seen the guy so angry and frustrated over what he sees as the tearing down of decades of alliance bulding. He was no fan of Clinton, but said under that administration the value of Europe's influence and the hundreds of years of diplomatic skill they bring to any situation was at least respected. Then, when disagreement occured, diplomats engaged or disengaged in a manner which allowed the underlying alliance to stay intact. Now, he says, all of this is severely damaged due to the arrogance and inability of the Bush Administration to listen....not necessarily to accept other views, but just to listen to them. Now, according to my friend, we cannot be "trusted" on certain formerly given assumptions, and this goes to the core of how nations deal with each other. He is considering retirement soon. I was sorry to see this. I asked if he was any great fan of what he knew of Kerry and he said no, but...at least it would be a change, and a change is needed. Who he really wants is McCain. I suspect that desire might be quite widespread.