Observations of an American Expat in Europe

Re: # 46 Amerika, Amerika uber alles... or death throes? Too much attention toward the puppets; after all, the puppet masters can`t be seen... I know! Bevis and Butthead for Prez and VP... Brittney Spears for Secretary of State...and Ben Affleck can run the opposition...

Re: # 40 ...too much faith in perceived notions of `the system`

Re: # 40 de Facto or de Jure? It`s really quite simple; we can dispense with the formalities and simply ignore the fact that constitutional rights exist... thus maintiaining deniability... a long-standing tradition... ask any southern black over the age of sixty.

#41 by Tipu on March 17, 2003 1:47pm PT

Notice not much jumping with indignation on UK arrest of CEO of I-Flex solutions (subsidary of Citicorp India) at the Behest of Holland.

That is reserved for thirdworld countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
(and being Muslim countries had to do some thing with it?)

Note nobody took up that topic. No one jumped with anger telling that it is commerical dispute etc.

Neither are there angry statements from New Delhi or Nasscom.

In fact no discussion about it on this board at all.

When a coke sniffing, binge drinkin, C-graded Nincompoop -- is installed -- by 5 Supreme Court judges – as the president of the most powerful country -- after LOSING -- to its opponent by half a Million votes! –

this is what happens.

The following is the excerpt from today’s indignant and fiery Editorial in the New York Times -- after the president issued his ‘Ultimatum’ to Iraq – giving the viewers the strange sense of de ja vu -- reminiscent of Hitler’s speech -- before the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939.


Editorial

“ When this administration took office just over two years ago, expectations were different. President Bush was a novice in international affairs, while his father had been a master practitioner.

But the new president looked to have assembled an experienced national security team. It included Colin Powell and Dick Cheney, who had helped build the multinational coalition that fought the first Persian Gulf war. Condoleezza Rice had helped manage a peaceful end for Europe`s cold war divisions. Donald Rumsfeld brought government and international experience stretching back to the Ford administration.

This seasoned team was led by a man who had spoken forcefully as a presidential candidate about the need for the United States to wear its power with humility, to reach out to its allies and not be perceived as a bully. (Liar Lair ur pant is on fire))

But this did not turn out to be a team of steady veterans.

The hubris and mistakes that contributed to America`s current isolation began long before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

From the administration`s first days, it turned away from internationalism and the concerns of its European allies

by abandoning the Kyoto Protocol on global warming

and withdrawing America`s signature from the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court.

Russia was bluntly told to accept America`s withdrawal from the Antiballistic Missile Treaty and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into the territory of the former Soviet Union.

In the Middle East, Washington shortsightedly stepped backed from the worsening spiral of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, ignoring the pleas of Arab, Muslim and European countries.

If other nations resist American leadership today, part of the reason lies in this unhappy history.....(NYT editorial)
_______________________________________

We do need a ‘regime change’ in our own country – before these buggers turn the United States into a world`s most Petulant Pariah – shunned by most civilized communities..
___________
The Atlantic alliance is now more deeply riven than at any time since its creation more than a half-century ago.
A promising new era of cooperation with a democratizing Russia has been put at risk.
China, whose constructive incorporation into global affairs is crucial to the peace of this century, has been needlessly estranged.
Governments across the Muslim world, whose cooperation is so vital to the war against terrorism, are now warily navigating between popular anger and American power.
The American-sponsored Security Council resolution that was withdrawn yesterday had firm support from only four of the council`s 15 members and was opposed by major European powers like France, Germany and Russia.
Even the few leaders who have stuck with the Bush administration, like Tony Blair of Britain and José María Aznar of Spain, have done so in the face of broad domestic opposition, which has left them and their parties politically damaged.

When a coke sniffing, binge drinkin, C-graded Nincompoop -- is installed -- by 5 Supreme Court judges – as the president of the most powerful country -- after LOSING -- to its opponent by half a Million votes! –

this is what happens.

The following is the excerpt from today’s indignant and fiery Editorial in the New York Times -- after the president issued his ‘Ultimatum’ to Iraq – giving the viewers the strange sense of de ja vu -- reminiscent of Hitler’s speech -- before the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939.


Editorial

“ When this administration took office just over two years ago, expectations were different. President Bush was a novice in international affairs, while his father had been a master practitioner.

But the new president looked to have assembled an experienced national security team. It included Colin Powell and Dick Cheney, who had helped build the multinational coalition that fought the first Persian Gulf war. Condoleezza Rice had helped manage a peaceful end for Europe`s cold war divisions. Donald Rumsfeld brought government and international experience stretching back to the Ford administration.

This seasoned team was led by a man who had spoken forcefully as a presidential candidate about the need for the United States to wear its power with humility, to reach out to its allies and not be perceived as a bully. (Liar Lair ur pant is on fire))

But this did not turn out to be a team of steady veterans.

The hubris and mistakes that contributed to America`s current isolation began long before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

From the administration`s first days, it turned away from internationalism and the concerns of its European allies

by abandoning the Kyoto Protocol on global warming

and withdrawing America`s signature from the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court.

Russia was bluntly told to accept America`s withdrawal from the Antiballistic Missile Treaty and the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into the territory of the former Soviet Union.

In the Middle East, Washington shortsightedly stepped backed from the worsening spiral of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, ignoring the pleas of Arab, Muslim and European countries.

If other nations resist American leadership today, part of the reason lies in this unhappy history.

The Atlantic alliance is now more deeply riven than at any time since its creation more than a half-century ago.

A promising new era of cooperation with a democratizing Russia has been put at risk.

China, whose constructive incorporation into global affairs is crucial to the peace of this century, has been needlessly estranged.

Governments across the Muslim world, whose cooperation is so vital to the war against terrorism, are now warily navigating between popular anger and American power.

The American-sponsored Security Council resolution that was withdrawn yesterday had firm support from only four of the council`s 15 members and was opposed by major European powers like France, Germany and Russia.

Even the few leaders who have stuck with the Bush administration, like Tony Blair of Britain and José María Aznar of Spain, have done so in the face of broad domestic opposition, which has left them and their parties politically damaged.....(NYT)
___________________________________

Looks like a bunch of drunken BULLS pooping around in a China shop.

We do need a ‘regime change’ in our own country – before these buggers turn the United States into a world`s most Petulant Pariah – shunned by most civilized communities..

REGIME CHANGE in 2004.

MOTHER OF ALL ULTIMATUMS

so finally the rabbit is out of the hat -- (some say it was there all this time -- diplomacy was just a charade)

The Ultimate Ultimatum Man -- gave 24 hour ultimatum to UN to `disarm` -- 48 hours ultimatum to Saddam & Sons -- to flee --

now some poeple will say that is unfair -- that`s certainly NOT being even-handed...

well the UN did not -- nor does it look like Saddam will -- but then who knows..

seems like -- a Power Drunk Elephant about to attack -- a Malnourished Mouse -- with a quarter million army -- with 3000 precision-guided laser bombs -- daisy cutters -- and 21 thousand pounds MOABS --

all these -- Mothers of all WMD`s -- to disarm Iraq of -- Iraqi `WMD`s -- this JOKER is indeed funny!

indeed Bush with his Munster father`s X genes -- knows -- how to be the Mother of all Monsters -- to disarm another Monster.

certainly -- a big deal -- for the world`s #1Superpower` -- to disarm -- the #2 Superpower of the World -- Iraq

only a Texas Cowardly Clown (who himself fled for 2 days post 9/11)can come up with this -- Disproportionate Mother of All Sick Jokes.

it`s clear -- this man is not only possessed by EVIL -- as Harry Belafonte says -- my President is indeed -- a VERY WEIRD SICK Comedian -- as well.

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FerozeK:

I am not from Pakistan

I am not keen on giving up my constitutional rights. As far as I know, I haven`t lost any yet.

Spare me the hyperbole.

Just tell me the specific constitutional rights of American citizens that have supposedly been repealed by the present administration.

Thank you.

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Here the brave woman, Maureen Dowd`s -- of New York Times -- fiercest indictment of -- `our` LIAR President Bush, - `Our Monster`

never in the history of the United States Presidency -- such a characterless man -- and such an unscrupulous LIAR (``I am doing ``everything`` to ``avoid`` war``!) -- came to occupy the highest position of the world’s most powerful country – (albeit by a minority of half a million votes):

Mashing Our Monster
By MAUREEN DOWD

WASHINGTON — Everyone thinks the Bush diplomacy on Iraq is a wreck.

It isn`t.

It`s a success because it was never meant to succeed.

For the hawks, it`s a succès d`estime. (If I may be so gauche as to use a French phrase in a city where federal employees are slapping stickers over the word ``French`` on packets of French dressing and on machines dispensing French vanilla yogurt at the Capitol.

Seeing this made me long for the cold war, when you could eat your Russian dressing in peace and when Jackie Kennedy brought France to heel with élan, brains and charm, rather than scattershot embargos and inane suggestions in the capital L` Enfant planned that we disinter our war dead in France.)

Sure, the Bushies might be feeling a bit rattled right now, with the old international system and the North Atlantic alliance crashing down around their ears.

But you can`t transfigure the world without ticking off the world.

It`s not a simple task, carving new divisions in Europe, just as Europe is moving past the divisions that led to the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.

The Bush hawks never intended to give peace a chance. They intended to give pre-emption a chance.

They never wanted to merely disarm the slimy Saddam. They wanted to dislodge and dispose of him.

The president`s slapped-together Azores summit is not meant to ``go the last mile`` on diplomacy, as Ari Fleischer put it.

If Mr. Bush really wanted to do that, he`d try to persuade some leaders who disagree with him; he`d confront the antiwar throngs in London, Paris or Berlin

and not leave poor, exhausted Tony Blair to always make the case.

The hidden huddle in the Azores is trompe l`oeil diplomacy, giving Mr. Blair a little cover, making Poppy Bush a little happy.

Just three pals feigning sitting around the campfire singing ``Kumbaya,`` as the final U.S. troops and matériel move into place in the Persian Gulf and the president`s ``Interim Iraqi Authority`` postwar occupation plan is collated.

The hawks despise the U.N. and if they`d gotten its support, they never would have been able to establish the principle that the U.S. can act wherever and whenever it wants to — a Lone Ranger, no Tontos.

Cheney, Rummy, Wolfy, etc. never wanted Colin Powell to find a diplomatic solution. They hate diplomatic solutions. That`s why they gleefully junked so many international treaties, multilateral exercises and trans-Atlantic engagements......(NYT)
_________________________________

... and these monsters have their fingers on the nuclear button!

As soon as the riches start flowing from the carcass of Muslim lands to the Americas and West, we will find such whining hypocrite Americans at the forefront of defending and praising the agression. I refuse to accept that so far no American has been able to put two and two together and hasn`t figured out that if Americans could get Gulf war syndrome just by being 20,000 feet above the Iraqi surface then what would have happened to the Iraqis who were actually on the ground for the past ten years. Such hypocrites chose to remain silent on the slow genocide of Iraqis for 10 years due to the chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction that Americans have used on Iraqis and now this sob is whining about why he is being asked about his culinary habbits. Mr. Dough, You have to do better than that to prove that you are only half as bad as you look to the rest of the world.

Re: Stuka

If you are so eager to give up your constitutional rights, in the United States, to gain a little security, then why did you leave Pakistan in the first place?

Why?

Pakistan would have given you the same sense of fear and lack of constitutional rights and you would not have to waste money on a plane ticket either! If you want a lack of freedom, you should have stayed in Pakistan and experienced facism in all its misguided glory. If you still want a lack of freedom, please move back to Pakistan and then, maybe if you are capable of realizing it, you will learn what is the true meaning of freedom. No matter what the reasons, freedom must be never be compromised and those, like yourselves, who compromise freedom in hopes of gaining a little more security are living in an utopian paradise.

You should visit Pakistan and experience, what it feels like to live under a facist country with no rights before you adovcate such an infantile suggestion.

Ciao