I’m so scared of the USA
International affairs, US issues - - Posted on November, 6 at 9:31 pm by Ken L
The USA has been living off its capital of international goodwill for many years now. Since 2001, it has behaved like an archetypical imperialist power: it has waged aggressive war; shamelessly interfered in the affairs of sovereign nations; progressively dismantled human rights in its own lands and territories; endorsed the use of torture to obtain information; bullied and threatened other governments for no better reason than that they dared to act independently; repudiated international agreements to which it had voluntarily committed; and constantly trumpeted a vain one-dimensional message of American exceptionalism.
For a brief period after September 11, 2001, the rest of the world was prepared to overlook behaviour that in other circumstances would have provoked serious resentment. Any nation hit by such an unexpected blow, it was felt, was entitled to a little slack if its response came more from the heart than the head. Thereafter, when it became clear that the new imperialism wasn’t just a spontaneous response to September 11, many people were prepared to make a distinction between the USA and the Bush Administration, and to condemn the latter while still admiring the basic qualities of the nation itself.
Six weary years later, it has become very difficult to blame the sins of the United States on the Bush Administration, clinging to the conviction that it is somehow unrepresentative of the mass of the people. Unfortunately, it is increasingly clear that the policies and actions of the Bush Administration - at least when it comes to foreign policy, which is the main concern of the rest of the world - are not some sort of aberration that will come to an inglorious finish in 14 months when Bush departs the White House. On the contrary, no matter who wins the presidency in 2008, it appears likely that there will be little effective change in the stance that the USA takes to the rest of the world.
Why is that stance so scary? Because it consists of two powerful memes:
(1) The belief that the USA is a special nation, uniquely virtuous, Sir Galahad amongst the rabble, with a mission from god to convert the rest of the globe to American values, for which the lord has blessed the people of the USA with unparalleled courage and selflessness and above all, with invincible power that will crush any who try to stand against it;
(2) Rampant paranoia, expressed as the conviction that vast portions of the globe are intent on destroying the USA with every chance of success in the near future.
These two ideas are mutually exclusive of course; a nation can’t be in imminent danger of destruction by external enemies while simultaneously striding out to bend the rest of the world to its will by virtue of its superior moral fibre (not to mention its overwhelming military might). Many Americans seem to believe both of them nevertheless - a phenomenon known as cognitive dissonance. And I have reluctantly concluded that it’s not just a small eccentric minority who feel this way, but a very large slab of the population … perhaps even the majority.
One would have thought that after the disaster of the Iraq project, there would have been an overwhelming sentiment in the USA against further military adventures involving aggressive war. I mean that’s what should have happened in a rational country. After the horrible mess in Ethiopia in 1936, the Italians didn’t start urging an attack on Sudan to see if they could do any better the second time around. Having been made to suffer in Afghanistan for nine years, the USSR didn’t look round and say “Hey I’ve got a good idea, let’s have a crack at Pakistan!”
Unfortunately, half the American population seems prepared to defy common sense and support a war against Iran. Yes, even though the invasion of Iraq is now widely accepted to have been justified by lies and incompetence, even though the subsequent occupation has become a mission without a clear purpose that seems destined to continue indefinitely, about 50% of Americans seem quite content to let their government do exactly the same thing with Iran … except it isn’t ‘exactly’ the same thing because Iran will be a much bigger and tougher opponent than Saddam Hussein’s Iraq ever was.
The straws have been in the wind for months now … one neo-con after another, from Bush and Cheney down, making increasingly belligerent speeches about the need to take Iran down; one carefully placed media story after another about the way Iran was intent on making nuclear weapons or killing American soldiers in Iraq (none supported by hard evidence, just dogmatic claims by politicians and generals); foam-flecked deranged shrieking rage directed at the figure of the Iranian president; and a pliant right wing media and blogosphere obediently doing their best to foster the absurd impression that Iran stands to the USA in 2007 much as Germany did to England in 1938.
In a rational country, given the recent lessons of Iraq, this sabre-rattling would have been shouted down by a mass of indignant citizenry. In the USA, unfortunately, nothing of the kind has happened. Maybe the constant propaganda against Muslims has worked its subliminal evil. Maybe the coffins and the wounded from Iraq have mainly ended up in small rural communities and the occupation has ceased to matter to the bulk of the population. Maybe the ideology of selfish materialism has seeped so deeply into their souls that they really couldn’t give a shit about anyone else any longer, so if there’s a 1% chance that killing a few hundred thousand foreigners will make America safer then heck, just do it. Who knows what the reasons are for the loss of American virtue?
All we can do is look on with dismay as the leading Democrat candidate for the presidency next year votes in favour of a US Senate resolution that tacitly authorises war on Iran (all her apologists’ semantic bullshit to the contrary) - a resolution sponsored by the grubby sanctimonious Joe Lieberman whose life’s ambition seems to be to wipe all the Middle Eastern enemies of Israel off the map.
And now today comes this news:
Americans are concerned about Iran’s nuclear program but split on whether the United States should take military action to shut it down if diplomatic efforts fail, according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll released on Monday.
Seventy-three percent of those surveyed said the United States should use economic sanctions and diplomacy to stop Iran’s nuclear program and 18 percent favored military action, the poll found.
However, 46 percent said military action should be taken either now or if diplomacy fails while 45 percent ruled out a military strike altogether, USA Today said.
The question of whether ‘diplomacy fails’ will, of course, be decided largely by the USA - they’re the ones who have manufactured this ‘crisis’, they’re the ones who have constantly agitated for action against Iran, they’re the ones who have made frequent blatant threats while using deliberately hostile language to the Iranian regime, and they’re the ones who have either refused to meet the Iranians for talks or on the handful of occasions when they have met, engaged in hardball tactics designed to force humiliating capitulation by Iran. So it will be no surprise if the USA declares sooner or later that there is no hope of a diplomatic ’solution’ … leaving military action as the only option. And 46% of Americans apparently think this will be perfectly OK.
It’s time Australians stopped thinking of Uncle Sam as the friendly big brother across the Pacific, our friend and comrade through two world wars who rescued us from the Japs and kept the world safe from the commies. It has never been an accurate narrative but even if it had been, it is now out of date. People change. Nations change. And we need in our own national interest to recognise the USA for what it is, not through a nostalgic sentimental haze coloured by the endless diet of Americana being fed to us via the media.
The United States is a global bully, ruthlessly using its power to fight imaginary enemies while desperately trying to protect its real economic interests. It has become a truly scary nation and the greatest threat to world peace since 1945. It’s time Australia realised the danger and jumped off the juggernaut before it’s too late.
Posted in International affairs, US issues |
November 6th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Look, I completely agree with you. But almost all the Americans I know think like you do. How can we help them take back their country?
November 6th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Dangerous, that’s the same seductive mentality that’s afflicted US foreign policy since Vietnam … ‘They’re all really nice people, it’s just their goddam government that’s the problem’. That’s why they expected the Iraqis to rush out into the streets and welcome the invaders … they thought it would be like invading France in 1944 all over again.
The only people who can take back their country are the Americans themselves. It would be a good start if half the population could be bothered to vote.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Dangerous, there is nothing that we can do to help our liberal friends in the US. Anything we try to do will only weaken them.
They have to do this on their own we have to hope like buggery they succeed.
That is not to say we can’t do anything ourselves. We need to think about the sort of world we want to live in and what tools we have at our disposal to bring it about.
I want to live in a world where all national peoples have a genuine say in the future of this planet, where state sovereignty is genuinely respected and a small minority of humanity cannot dictate terms to the rest.
Right now we Australians have two tools to bring this world into being: our reputation (despite it being soiled by the Howard gov’t) and our membership of international organisations.
The most likely vehicle is the United Nations. Right now the organisation is an *arena*, used by national governments to extract as much from the rest of the world community as they can. Australia (along with some other middle powers) can use its reputation to turn this organisation into a genuine international *actor*. We can do this by relacing our government appointed ambassador with a directly elected representative.
We can expect this representative to act on his or her self interest, attempt to expand his or her power by jealously guarding and defending the perogatives of the United Nations. With direct elected representatives at the UN, we will have champions with a personal stake in opposing the imperialist agenda of the neo-con hive.
The UN reps may not win every fight – may not win any at first – but over time if they use and improve the prestige of the UN, they will be a serious force, giving genuine voice to all national peoples, providing protection for state sovereignty and standing up to the imperialist agenda of the neo-con sect.
PS. Ken, great post.
November 6th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Great article. More of an impending train wreck than a juggernaut though.
Kevin having picked the winner today, I just wish John Winston’s horse came second. Third was just a bit too ironic.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:43 am
You’re always spot on the money, Ken, for mine (except about the ABC). It’s time Australia stopped pretending our imaginary friend is really anyone’s friend.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:43 am
Some excellent & insightful points Ken.
Ken says: “It’s time Australians stopped thinking of Uncle Sam as the friendly big brother across the Pacific”.
agree…see my comment from today:
#15 at:
http://www.roadtosurfdom.com/2007/11/05/the-larvyprodders-regret/#comment-331921
it woulda fit in nicely here.
Generally, it looks at the invasion of Iraq…& in turn Australia by Ameri-Corp…whether it be by the Corporate Media (the introduction of American news & political strategies to undermine Aussie Opposition parties & Union power in order to keep their Howeirdian allies in power & the introduction of Work Choices to pave the way for wage reductions when the manufactured ‘credit crunch’ hits)…free trade (more to their benefit)…ownership & undermining of foundation of our companies by way of Private Equity groups…the sprinkling of American CEOs & Execs throughout our major companies…the manipulation of our interest rates by Speculators (‘cashed up’ by Bush’s ‘tax cut for the rich’) who push up the price of oil & other goods in order for American investors to park their money in a high interest accumulating safe harbor…the use of Australia & other allies to justify & assist American military imperialism & resource grabs…
& I should’ve mentioned the gradual takeover of Australian farms by the backdoor in order to provide for fast food companies…& waterways, to provide water for these agri-businesses & Coke-owned companies…& the turfing out of Aussie products & goods in retail stores in order to bring in more cheap American owned &/or distributed goods (primarily made in China, as Ameri-Corp has screwed its own Manufacturers big time…but the investors in these Chinese factories are often wealthy Americans & their labels/brands)…amusement parks/studios…our actors/scripts…the list goes on & on…
Yes, Ameri-Corp that now controls the United States of America is doing the Roman Empire bit on us…& like Japanese economic imperialism of the 80s, we are gaining less from it than the economic invader is. But most can’t see this right now…all smoke & mirrors you see. As long as you don’t question where your TV shows derive from, keep munching on those fast food burgers & fries, or American Christian pizzas…& order DVDs from their outlets & buy their sparkling soft drinks & visit their fun studios & listen to the musicians they choose for you by way of Hillsong…or on their Ipods…or by way of their computers & software…and enjoy the violence of their War Games…& be silenced & dumbed-down by their news…well, then “What Me Worry?”
This is not an Anti-American rant…this is a comment of concern about what is happening to both Australia & America.
Because there is something more insidious & wide spread in this approach by Ameri-Corp…cutting across the bulk of our socio-economic & media sectors, as you’ve inferred above Ken. An increasingly dangerous situation for an independent aspiring Australian citizenry, as we might just be seen as a strategic pawn & military/resource outpost in the Empire’s scheme of Global domination…& in the long term suffer economic sanctions &/or become a less favored Nation for trade…& find ourselves as a prime target if Countries like China & Indonesia move to a more hostile stance.
The Howard government have bullied, cajoled, bought & irresponsibly traded their way into Asia-Pacific relationships whilst ‘turning a blind eye’ to the many abuses inflicted on dissident, opposition & alternative communities/parties in these Nations. Changes of Government or even a shift in those present governments view towards Ameri-Corp might see us labeled as the corrupt & brutish Sheriff’s sycophantic & immoral Deputy. Close to that now in the eyes of many in the Asia-Pacific region.
Such a shame when one recalls the efforts of the Hawke government in mending fences & generally using diplomacy & the UN to forge closer, more respectful ties…& APEC. Not a perfect record by any means, we recall the unfortunate ‘recalcitrant’ comment from Paul Keating that stirred up the Malaysian elite…& the sellout of East Timor for access to gas. But it seems to me that any suspicions of our motives were based on the belief that we were generally a diplomatic & peaceful young Democracy that was attempting to walk & occasionally would stumble in its impetuous desire to grab for food (energy/resources/trade), and in turn occasionally make a bit of a mess of things. But as time wore on under Labor we earned respect for our ability to learn, adapt & mature rapidly…to tolerate cultural difference as a Multi-Cultural society…& provide positive intellectual & financial assistance for the goals of nuclear disarmament & regional peace and development.
These days however, we are looked upon as sneakier…greedy…lacking in principles…like a drug pusher…but who has the goods (in our case natural resources & commodities)…generally easy to deal with provided not too many questions asked. And behind us, our Protector, is the Ameri-Corp Mob. And as all in the region know “you don’t wanna f*ck with that lot”. The “politics of fear” & the “economy of destruction” is what now primarily drives us. Other Governments will bow & scrape to get hold of our resources…but they do it reluctantly, imho. Not exactly the type of role that will engender long-tern ‘good will’ & create anything more than “fair-weather friends”. Forget making regional allies & trade partners who value honesty, integrity, peace & fair trade. Instead, we are increasingly perceived as an arm of the Mobster in Ameri-Corp… to eventually “take out” (eliminate) or buy up if you want to compete &/or win the war against Ameri-Corp.
Personally, I despair for Australia at this time. I’m not saying we haven’t benefited from select quality goods from America, including net/travel friendships, some empowering & entertaining & informative shows/docos/films/musicians…& the occasional trade benefits…even political ideas…but this is far from an even playing field. Unless we diminish the influence of this rampant Neo-Corporate Mob that now have the American Nation in a stranglehold I reckon we are in for one socio-economic rollercoaster of a ride. Nor will we be able to assist their more socially aware, innovative, fair-minded & compassionate individuals. No longer will we be able to play an objective, influential & diplomatic role in World affairs…instead we will be focused on as the violent, intimidating pusher for the ‘Ameri-Corp Dream’.
And we all know what happens to Pushers in the long run. The Australian Dream will die on the vine.
I just hope that there are American Democrats out there who are less inclined to continue the War in the Middle East…& willing to concede that a more independent Australia would serve as a better champion of diplomacy and World Peace. And that Australia deserves to be left to determine its own future…w/out meddling…w/out having its economy & media utilized in order to force the Australian public to serve as slaves & pushers of the New Corporate Aristocratic American Way.
But then, I guess the American Democrats are going to find it hard to resist continuing such practices when so many are influenced by the very same Ameri-Corp Mob…& ironically Rupert Murdoch…their best friend and ally.
Yes, an Australian/American.media mogul who now lives & dominates media from New York…previously, an avid supporter of the Howard/Costello regime. The owner of News Ltd…from which The Daily Telegraph derives…the same paper, it is rumored, that will do a ‘hit job’ on Rudd’s reputation on Friday. We’ll see how that pans out. Sounds to me like a last ditch attempt to dampen the Australian public’s enthusiasm for a Rudd-led government…another desperate attempt to manipulate the outcomes of the election by remote control from America.
I just hope the Australian Labor Party & the Greens & Australian Democrats & other Independents who value the sovereignty of our Nation, our Country…& all its various cultures, including our First People, The Aborigines…are able to take back power from the Coalition Party that has enabled Ameri-Corp to infiltrate our Political, Social & Economic systems so insidiously.
I hope that Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister recognizes that we have gone beyond the call of duty in thanking the Americans for their assistance in WW2…& that we cherish a relationship that is mature & benefits both parties.
A relationship that allows for Australian independence…& strong, growing friendships with others in the neighborhood.
Good, trusted friends share & support one another…they don’t dominate & bully & con.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Great post too sjk.
November 7th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Recommended your great writing here.
http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/
November 7th, 2007 at 8:17 am
pretty much on the money. but they’ve always been like that.
they have civilized people in the united states, but they rarely direct american policy. they won’t change any time soon. all oz can do is cut loose from them. this will be hard, ozzies are fearful of their neighbors, and not self-confident.
the first step is to establish control by the people over the nation. (it’s called ‘democracy’) that will allow us to take steps to become independent and self-reliant. this first step is the hard one, present-day ozzies just aren’t citizen quality people.
perhaps in a generation changes can be made.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Can’t find much to disagree with. My greater concern is the domestic debate and how it is verboten for any mainstream politician even to criticise an awful partisan Repuglican administration like Bush.
I totally agreed with Latham - conga line of suckholes(but hey I’m crazy , I’d still vote for him over Howard).
My only real quibble is the fact that the US military still has a degree of competence, and will (I hope) do its best to hose down the prospect of any action against Iran. They know it would be far more painful than Iraq, and for more painful than they can afford. Action against Iran would break the US military for a decade or so. I think they know that.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
If Americans could be bothered to vote, and interested themselves more in the parlous state of their own social contract, and weaned themselves off the endless narrative of universal redemption through violence, then they, and we, would all be better off. Their domestic political culture is corrupt and venal to a degree, and you are right Ken about the candidates for the Democrat nomination. They are as addicted to this addled product as the Republicans. Only Americans themselves can do anything about the state they are in, and the best we can do, is stay right out of the way of the next great adventure in ‘Operation Enduring Righteous Violence’.
Let’s hope that Rudd, in the event he is PM when the next little adventure begins, has taken in the lesson that abject career of Tony Blair provides in this regard.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:23 am
The first thing that needs to change is the belief that we are “friends” of the US, or that we are “allied” to them, which is rubbish.
We are only their friends so long as we relinquish our economic and political sovereignty to them. People need to understand that a sovereign, independent Australia is incompatible with the US “alliance”.
The “alliance” is a product of local political and economic elites self-interest (Aust-American Leadership Dialogue), and is not crafted with the interests of ordinary Australians.
Quite seperate from the issue of sovereignty is the moral outrage of sitting in partnership with a state that invades, bombs and interferes as it wishes in continual disregard of international law. The longer we are associated with the US the less moral legitimacy or authority we will have in world affairs.
The saddest thing is that the whole thing is maintained on the dog-whistle suspicion that Asian Muslim hordes will sweep down from the North.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Interesting discussion. Any opinion on the (limited) rise of Ron Paul, Republican presidential candidate? There’s lots to disagree with, but I think you’d find his foreign policy refreshing.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
the idea of “cutting ourselves loose” from the US is compelling at the gut level(I feel it too), but it is wrong-headed. Like Paul, I too hate being associated with their constant interference and disdain for their fellow human beings, but cutting ourselves loose won’t change them.
we need to make use our alliance to force a genuine multilateral system onto the US. to change international orgs as I mentioned previously, we can use our “friendship” with the US and American trade-marked terms like “democracy” and “freedom” and “free trade” to beat them at their own game.
keep in mind that there are many australians who do not share our views, some even secretly wishing they were American (exhibits A & B: John Howard and The Australian commentary team). So we not only have to defeat the US neo-con sect, we need to co-opt our own US-loving, UN-hating conservatives. by setting up a situation where they have to support a candidate for elections to the UN, they will be forced to support the UN itself.
note also this strategy leverages American strength and support for “democracy” while simultaneously wrapping future powers like China into a multilateral system that favors middle powers like Australia.
November 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Good comments, but why are we assuming the US is going to be in the position to actually BE a global bully for that much longer?
Everyone is exhibiting the flipside to the myth of the US - which is that we all ‘believe the hype’. The world is changing, and watching the US media is really to miss the point.
The changes ain’t happening there…
The US is in serious, SERIOUS trouble, especially regarding their economy. Here’s a thought provoking little tit bit of news that was never really mentioned on our media, Murdoch or otherwise:
China threatens ‘nuclear option’ of dollar sales
Honestly, whether or not the US liberals ‘take back their country’ will soon be a moot point, beyond wanting life to be better for the majority or Americans. What’s much more important in global terms is the generational change in China’s leadership, the way the Indians handle their relationship with Pakistan and whether or not they get to join the Shanghai Cooperation Group as full members. This is the group, don’t forget, that the US asked to join as an observer. They were told, none too politely, to go fuck themselves. The SCG now comprises China, Russia, the ’stans, and Iran, with both India and Pakistan as observers. Russia and China just recently conducted joint military exercises.
Anyone wanna bet what the reaction of the SCG will be if the US does bomb Iran? Do we all still seriously think the rest of the world is somehow helpless in the face of US foolhardiness? The Europeans might be too timid to do anything, but I wouldn’t say that about China and Russia.
My brother’s married into the PLA (daugher of a missile base commander north of Beijing) and I’ve spent a fair bit of time both there and in India. Honestly, you have to see the world through the eyes of the elites (read the better Indian press to see what they think of the US) of the emerging powers to strip away the self-image of the US that we are all bombarded with here.
I’ve thought about the resources (particularly oil and gas) and military hardware that the SCG grouping can muster. I’ve watched the growing confidence of India and China, and the way they have been pushed to the point of having to push back by the US’ recklessness.
The behaviour of the current administration is desperation, not stupidity or ‘evil’. Its a ‘Hail Mary’ play to grab hold of the remaining resources in the face of rapidly growing challenges and rapidly shrinking power and influence. It’s desperation that will lead them to bet double or nothing and attack Iran. What other choice do they have, now they have chosen the path of military supremacy? Their economy is already a corspse walking, and those who matter know this.
Too be honest, why bother following the US election anyway?
November 7th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
I guess my short comment would be - don’t ditch the US because they are a global bully and imperialist power.
Ditch them so we don’t go down with them.
November 7th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Great piece of writing Ken, really enjoyed it.
I agree with floopmeister,I have always thought the middle east wars are really about the major powers positioning themselves in that very strategic part of the world.
China is sitting back and waiting for the US to implode, it may not be that far away.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
This is all very seductive and enjoyable and we can all punch the air and go “yeah man”, but really, it has to be said, none of this facilitates or advances one iota (and many of the right-on-mate comments reflect this) any understanding of the historical complexity of US society and politics and the real source of the problem.
I can’t even find the necessary words, of course, because the only available ones have been totally discredited and herein lies a lot of the problem.
Botton line, though, is this: without accurate diagnosis of a malady, there can be no possible solution, or cure, or even respite.
Checkmate.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
moving on from jinmaro’s arrogant comment…there are some, no matter how much a part of the American Corporate establishment, who are voicing dissent…& bravely taking on the Busheviks at their own game:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18673.htm
and Dangerous, as for candidate Ron Paul, he comes across as a nice enuff, small town, earnest, ‘down-to-Earth’ family doctor cum politician w/ a scattering of decent ideas…but i’m not overly-fussed w/ some of his strongly held views…& voting record:
“Paul supports states’ rights, gun ownership, habeas corpus for political detainees, jury nullification rights, and a Constitutional amendment allowing voluntary and unofficial school prayer; he also favors allowing workers to opt out of Social Security,expanding the free market in health care, recognizing private property rights for pollution prevention,and increasing ballot access. Paul opposes the draft, the federal War on Drugs, Universal health care, the welfare state, foreign aid, judicial activism, federal death penalties, and federal regulation of marriage, of education,and of Internet gambling. He supports revising enforcement of the military “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to focus on disruptive behavior and include members with heterosexual as well as homosexual behavior issues.
He has voted against federal funding of joint adoption by unmarried couples, including same-sex adoption. Paul calls himself “strongly pro-life”,”an unshakable foe of abortion”, and believes regulation of medical decisions about maternal or fetal health is “best handled at the state level.” Paul says his years as an obstetrician lead him to believe life begins at conception. Paul’s pro-life legislation, like the Sanctity of Life Act, is intended to negate Roe v. Wade for ethical reasons and to get “the federal government completely out of the business of regulating state matters.”
(Wiki pedia)
He’d probably be more attractive to the Libertarians on Cattalaxy. Tho personally, i don’t have much of a problem w/ his views on abortion…but then i differ from many on the Left side of politics in that regard…not all, but most. But i’m also primarily a vegan…which also doesn’t go down w/ the Workers & their Unions who are involved in the factory style mass animal killing system that i regard as contributing to the ‘economy of destruction’.
I also agree w/ his views on NO DRAFT & “out of Iraq”.
Consequently, i respect Ron Paul for his brave, independent stand on issues & willingness to stare down his Republican peers when it counts. Tho if I lived in the States i would vote for Kucinich or Nader because their views are more consistently closer to mine.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:01 am
“Bottom line, though, is this: without accurate diagnosis of a malady, there can be no possible solution, or cure, or even respite.”
Jinmaro, the problem with the US is complex yes, but its not mysterious. Ken’s take is as good as any, and I for one like his anger.
And the solution is simple, walk away, diplomatically, economically and militarily. The US is already increasingly isolated on the international stage, and the more nations walk away and refuse to play, the more likely they will wake up to themselves.
At present, it seems that many nations are still talking to the US out of historical loyalty (eg the french recently), although it looks more to me like pity. But even those sentiments will dissolve when the full force of global warming hits and the US continues to ignore its own contribution.
Australia has one last chance to redefine our alliance relationship with the US as it goes down the chute. The uncoupling of our historical relationship will be distressing for some (although many of us are increasingly tired of being told how the US saved us in WW2, and being ripped off through the FTA and in military procurement). I hope we get it right, or we will go down with them.
I am counting on Rudd, who has the right training in international diplomacy, to do this with some panache, and without frightening the horses. The times might well suit him.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:39 am
“At present, it seems that many nations are still talking to the US out of historical loyalty (eg the french recently), although it looks more to me like pity”
“America can count on France,”…
“Together we must fight to defend and promote the values and ideals of freedom and democracy that men such as Washington and Lafayette invented together,”
The historically loyal and pitying Sarkozy no doubt.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:45 am
That’s the trouble with cuddling up to cheese eating surrender monkeys nowadays. Burn a few Renaults and Peugots and they throw in the towel.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Or more succinctly, throw in the towel heads and all those who straggle along with their caravan.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:37 am
“Or more succinctly, throw in the towel heads and all those who straggle along with their caravan.”
The couplet Omar Khayyam would have written if he were a little drunker and a lot less talented?
I prefer the first translation by Fitzgerald, myself:
One Moment in Annihilation’s Waste,
One moment, of the Well of Life to taste–
The Stars are setting, and the Caravan
Starts for the dawn of Nothing–Oh, make haste!
November 8th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Nasking wrote: “moving on from jinmaro’s arrogant comment…”
Fail to see how it was arrogant, Nasking, but what the heck, why not throw in the usual aggressive, pig-ignorant, hysterical and emotional epithets too. And wouldn’t want to distract from your centre-stageism. So go for it, man. Don’t let me rain on your parade.
Grace, if calling for an end to the ANZUS Alliance is the answer well, that political demand goes back to at least the 1970s in the Australian Left. I support it. I just don’t think calling for it today, per se, in a propagandistic way, without anything else, is going to mean much. Or ever be successful.
And yes, I like Ken’s writing too. Very much. So clear, elegant, challenging, angry and witty - all at the same time. He has the gift.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
lol…that’s pretty funny comin’ from you jinmaro…but then i’m used to this sh*t…anyone who differs from you born & bred Lefty Aussies on matters such as the carnivore thing, the abortion issue & isn’t LOCAL enuff isn’t worth taking seriously. You types never change…yer just parochial Ockers dressed up in ‘victim’ clothing w/ a faded red decal on your jeans.
As far as i’m concerned you can join in on the “baah, baah…aren’t we a convenient schoolyard style clique little group?” game…it’s a game played across the World jinmaro that does nothin’ but demonstrate envy & weakness…but as for me, i’ll stand alone if need be & make my points. If you percieve that as Centre-Stagism then your missing the contemporary show…not many individuals listened to these days who aren’t part of some lobby group, “in-group”, corporate structure or political faction.
and BTW, for me, this commenting was about gettin’ rid of the Howard govt. & makin’ a few points along the way, offerin’ up evidence as to why we should shove the buggers out the back door & restore Democracy to its rightful place in Australian society…& gettin’ rid of some of the frustration of seein’ Howard’s mug on the TV everyday. Met some decent contributors along the way. But like i’ve always said…once the election’s over, i’m outa here. Til then you’ll just have to skip past my comments.
As for my “arrogance” comment, if yer gonna write a bad review but offer up no substance or alternatives, yer gonna feel the sting of the backlash…felt it on a number of occasions myself and sometimes deserved it. That’s life.
It’s one of the reasons Bush is coppin’ so much crap…& has lost the respect of the majority…he criticises & sneers at the Dems but offers nothin’ but archaic & empty words as an answer to America’s deep-seated problems.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
you’re off the planet, Nasking. Have zero respect for you now. Shame.
Are you a Yank?
November 8th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Oh yea! I’d like to see the end to this f*ckin’ war too. Agree w/ most on this site full bore on that POV.
Thought Peter Garrett held up well today. You can feel the passsion & integrity flooding out. Tryin’ to change things from ‘the inside’ takes guts…provided you pass on the ‘good virus’ and don’t mutate into THEM beforehand.
Turnbull has the dollar bill sign rolling thru his eyes & words every time he opens his mouth. A Neo-Liberal thru & thru.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Sorry, but Rudd be nearly as ‘all the way with GWB’ as Howard. He may not personally be as close to Bush, but we’ll still dance to the Star Spangled Banner as we’ve done for 60 years.
November 9th, 2007 at 3:46 am
I’m one of the yanks you all seem to hate so much. How soon you forget. Most of us actually feel the same as most of you on most issues. I sometimes wish we were as irrelevant in the overall scheme of things as you guys are. Life would be so simple.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:17 am
First, a disclosure: I am an American, a libertarian, and patriotic in the sense that I adhere to most of the values and beliefs of the original Founding Fathers of the USA (Jefferson and Franklin in particular).
I lived in New Zealand for four years and was exposed to the political culture of Dunedin students there.
Now, on to my comments.
First, please allow me to apologize for the foreign policy behavior of the United States for the past, oh, forty-five years or so. Being the apparent savior of World War II was a little too heady a draught for us.
The United States, however, is not quite the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, or any other such historical framework. While distinctly imperial in its political machinations of the past few decades and especially the past six years, the United States is still a coherent, stable nation and as such will not be “going away” any time soon.
China, the next logical choice for a global superpower, is inextricably tied to the United States economy. It has a vested interest in keeping the USA afloat, however much that may place the USA further in Chinese control.
The Middle East is partially destabilized and will continue to spiral downward for at least another decade. The USA’s invasion of Iraq was a horrendous mistake from which there is no possible recovery. The subsequent alienation of Iran and even the stalwart American ally Turkey has further destabilized that region, and an regional war there is probable. Whether that spark becomes a world war remains to be seen.
Australia seems to me to have larger problems than worrying about the fall of the only current superpower - namely, the salinization of the entire continent.
I suppose that is merely a symptom of what may be a dramatic global climate shift, but it’s certainly worth concentrating resources on.
The United States, with its steeply declining economy due to the collapse of the subprime market and the potential collapse of the bond market, can’t help. Yes, the USA has failed in a number of ways to protect the environment or reverse climate change, but now it’s too late.
Take all of this with a grain of salt, though, as I am no climatologist and only have filtered data from various news sources to reference.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:10 am
“Grace, if calling for an end to the ANZUS Alliance is the answer well, that political demand goes back to at least the 1970s in the Australian Left. I support it. I just don’t think calling for it today, per se, in a propagandistic way, without anything else, is going to mean much. Or ever be successful.”
Jinmaro, I am not suggesting that the left call for an end to the US alliance right now (and as you say for many of us, the alliance has been dead since Vietnam anyway). As we know, during this election campaign, and the last, the ALP has campaigned on a pro-US stance, because to do anything else would be electoral suicide. Our involvement in the Iraq War has made any sensible discussion of rationalising our relationship impossible.
But coming over the horizon is a huge and very real threat to the entire planet, with the US substantially responsible. My point was that Rudd is the right man in the right place when we are all forced to make some very serious decisions about who our real friends are.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:56 am
JohnInFlorida, I can promise you this is one fella that doesn’t hate Yanks/Americans persay…a criticism of certain aspects of your ruling class, aspects of your political, military, religious, media & Corporate system & certain propaganda related attitudes that have infiltrated the American psyche, should not be equated w/ “hate” for Americans…just as the criticism & scrutiny of various Zionist lobby groups & ‘pro-bombing of Iran’ individuals should not be seen as hating Jews…or anti-Semitism. We MUST not fall into the trap of political correctness.
I have both American friends & family (moved from Canada to live & work in Colorado in the 80s)…& cherish my communication w/ them. But I dislike the Busheviks intensely and the stranglehold a number of ethically suss American-based/originated Corporations & Dynasties have over the American & Australian political system. Simple as that.
Ben, America may not be quite the Roman Empire…but under GW “Augustus” Bush it’s gettin’ pretty bloody close to replicating various military, cultural & trade practices. I agree w/ you on the climate issue…but i reckon the Chinese/American relationship is gradually unravelling & we are witnessing a political civil war in China that will lead to devestating consequences for global security & does not bide well for any Nation that is seen to be allied too closely w/ the manipulators/mobsters from Ameri-Corp.
And speaking previously of biased Israel supporters who just might take us down the road to more Aussie contributions to the Middle Eastern HELLCLONE, Labor’s candidate for Wentworth, George Newhouse, has made some worrying comments as outlined by the ever Truth Seeking Jason Lowenstein:
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=6282
I reckon if i lived in Wentworth I’d be voting Green…partially because of the Pulp Mill business…& then it would be a difficult choice for preferences. ‘Cause the last thing i want to see is Labor being taken down the wrong path. Sure, Malcolm Turnbull luvs his money (or perhaps security)…but he & his wife have also proven themselves to be fairly Independent on some issues…& Turnbull is quite a character…i respect him for making the best of his Mum leaving…as someone who also spent their teenage years w/out a birth Mum i can relate to the pain he must have endured…& forced himself to overcome during those darker days. I like the fact he supports the gay community on important issues too.
But then, Labor MUST get government.
But what happens if the Turnbulls of the Liberal Party all get turfed?…& the Wowsers & Christian Coalition types get more control?
A tough decision indeed…i wouldn’t want to be a Wentworth voter.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Agree nasking, the voters of Wentworth have a huge responsibility at this election. I hope Turnbull scrapes in against the totally uninspiring ALP candidate whatshisname, because we need a decent and courageous opposition leader to keep the Rudd government on its toes, without wasting time on all the dreary social conservatism that has held this country back for the past decade. And Turnbull has a streak of the unpredictable fruitcake in him, which would make it all the more interesting…
November 9th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Speaking of US-Roman comparisons, there are two that really stand out for me:
- the use of foreigners Mexicans/’barbarians’ to make up for the shortfall in citizens willing to fight in the republic’s legions in return for citizenship,
- the retreat of the Senatorial classes to their country latifundia (gated communities) as they withdraw from both the cities and the civic sphere
These trends are generally seen as markers (while not causes) of the decline of the late Empire.
I’m one of the yanks you all seem to hate so much. How soon you forget. Most of us actually feel the same as most of you on most issues. I sometimes wish we were as irrelevant in the overall scheme of things as you guys are. Life would be so simple.
Ah, the old ‘power thrust upon it’ argument. The British used to say that they got their Empire by mistake, you know.
John, we don’t forget. But WW II was more than 50 years ago now, and the world is changing. As has the US, along with every other country, I might add. You might want to remember that more Australians have a positive attitude towards China than they do towards the US in terms of being a positive force in the world and a positive partner with us.
The US is declining, and we need to build ties with the powers that are on the ascendant. In case you hadn’t noticed - they’re both in our backyard (or is that vice versa?)
You want to be irrelevant like us? That’s easy. Cashier the 8 carrier battle groups and close the hundreds of bases around the world. The British did this, once they saw the writing on the wall.
But ask yourself how likely this is. I’m sure you agree with me on most issues, like most of my liberal American friends do - but what about the US in general? Cultural militarism will make that path most unlikely, I think.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:43 am
lol…well said Grace…i quite agree…one thing we could do more with in politics in this day & age is eccentrics & Secularists…that’s the Australia i got to know & love from way back.
I abhor glitzy, lobby group ridden ‘Corporate Machine’ politics. I don’t think Malcolm Turnbull would ever get us into a Gallipolli type situation if he ever became PM…way down the road of course…:) Nor do i believe Rudd would either. I reckon Ruddy might be more interesting than some think. Bit of a Maverick on occasion.
Might add, i always get the shivers when they do the News Ltd…road to Murdoch visit. Can than man never stay out of politics & just get on w/ the job of providing ‘objective’ reporters? Tired of these blasted media barons who play the “King Maker”. Wish they’d keep their hands off our Democracies.
I like the fact News Ltd. has allowed Tim free reign on Blogocracy…& approve of some of their films, TV shows & innovations via the Foxtel pay tv service…but Murdoch & some of his top staff’s constant meddling in politics is highly disturbing.
That goes for most of these contemporary media moguls.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Shades of the ‘Howard-hater’ jargon. Why are so many people incapable of subtlety or nuance or even of recognising shades of grey? Just because some moron in the White House yells “You’re either with us or against us” doesn’t make it so.
I wonder if these people apply the same standards to their personal relationships, so that any criticism is interpreted as “They hate me!” They must spend half their lives whining and the other half plotting to get even. Oh wait, I just described Fox News.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:22 am
lol…you have my sincere apologies for ever doubting your integrity Ken…i can be paranoid at the best of times. Living under Thatcher during the Fortress Wapping & Coal Miner’s strike under Thatcher/Murdoch can do that to a fella…particularly if they closely watched Fox News from 1997 & witnessed the hijacking of the Clinton Administration, the assassination of Gore & Dean, the ’sexing up of intelligence’ to take us into a FIASCO, the “swift boating” of Kerry, the head kicking of Dan Rather, the Tampa HYPE…and so on & so on…can send a fella kooky sometimes…:)
your local crackpot…& one of many Guardians of Democracy.
N’
November 9th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Jinmaro, I am not suggesting that the left call for an end to the US alliance right now..”
Well, they already do. And have for some time, as I said. At least since the mid 1970s. See the Greens policies today for detail.
http://greens.org.au/election/policy.php?policy=42
In usefulness perhaps, but not in actuality. ANZUS is alive and well and explicitly supported by the ALP at its landmark conference in 1984. Howard of course invoked it to give Oz support to the US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq. Next Iran, Syria, China, and so it goes.
We also have implanted on our national territory all the sinister US bases at Nurrungar, Pine Gap and North West Cap which are crucial to the US’s nuclear warfare capability, as well as making Australia a nuclear target.
Who says so? The Gerard Henderson’s and Rupert Murdoch’s of this world?
Ditto comment.
The day any individual, let alone “the left” puts its hopes in one male politican is the day we may as well all take the Jonestown route.
The pink or the blue pills, Grace?
November 9th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
JohninFlorida says: I sometimes wish we were as irrelevant in the overall scheme of things as you guys are.
John, Australia helps drive the World…particularly the Chinese economy, by raping its land by way of mining, sucking up offshore gas, policing East Timor to ensure their gas is pumping out at a decent rate & pulping trees…
We have the natural resources that drive a significant part of the Chinese engine…we help them make millions of cheap, crappy, disposable goods…& in turn assist them in their huge carbon outputs & pollution levels…
We fill thousands of cargo & transport ships with an abundance of minerals, food & live exports…& in doing so, further contribute to inflation and deep carbon footprints.
We have politicians, diplomats & powerful media moguls thruout the Globe (think Rupert Murdoch in New York…Fox News, The New York Post, MySpace) who support the Busheviks, justifies their war-mongering, tax cuts for the rich…& fossil fool/nuclear approach to energy.
We provide naval refueling bases, army training grounds…& one of the most important intelligence gathering projects in the World at PINE GAP.
Australia & its influential characters are far from “irrelevant”. Think about it, really think about it.
A reminder of a movie about another New Yorker…fictional…but importantly symbolic…now & then:
Gordon Gekko: “The richest one percent of this country owns half our country’s wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation. It’s bullshit. You got ninety percent of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal. The news, war, peace, famine, upheaval, the price per paper clip. We pick that rabbit out of the hat while everybody sits out there wondering how the hell we did it. Now you’re not naive enough to think we’re living in a democracy, are you buddy? It’s the free market. And you’re a part of it. You’ve got that killer instinct. Stick around pal, I’ve still got a lot to teach you.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSj5tNeKRr8
(Wall Street Highlights Gordon Gekko Insider Trading Lessons)
———
We certainly could use another film like this. Altho its amazing how many people still pray at the altar of Gordon Gecko two decades on…new recruits all the time…so many market crashes later.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Grace, some strange goings on in Wentworth. It appears that News Ltd’s Caroline Overington has been meddling…trying to get Labor’s candidate George Newhouse’s ex-girlfriend, Danielle Ecuyer (standing as an Independent) to direct preferences away from Newhouse & in turn preference Malcolm Turnbull. Apparently, Overington even offered Ecuyer a front page story in return (see Media Watch).
And then we get this in The Australian today from John Lyons:
In the email, dated October 26, Overington says: “Please preference Malcolm (Turnbull).
“It would be such a good front-page story. Also, he’d be a loss to the parliament and George (Newhouse) - forgive me - would be no gain.”
The Australian’s editor-in-chief, Chris Mitchell, last night rejected any suggestion the paper had been close to Mr Turnbull. In his response to Media Watch executive producer Tim Palmer, Mr Mitchell said: “If Ms Ecuyer has jumped on the anti-mill bandwagon in Wentworth, it is largely because of the Oz’s work.
“We broke the Geoff Cousins story and have done nothing that could be considered helpful to Mr Turnbull.
“Ms Overington is a colour writer and her correspondence with Ms Ecuyer seems no more than colourful.
“The Sydney papers and electronic media, including the ABC, have been a long way behind on this story all year.”
Overington has won two Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism, most notably for her coverage of the AWB scandal last year, her reporting of which caused embarrassment for the Howard Government.
In the same year, she was named recipient of the Sir Keith Murdoch Award for excellence in journalism.
Accusations against Overington were made by Media Watch last night, in the program’s last show of the year.
It was also the last for Palmer before he becomes executive producer of Lateline.
Overington told Media Watch: “Naturally, this was part of my kingmaker project. You know, I thought I had disguised the fact I was a Liberal stooge by having Mr Rudd launch my book on the AWB scandal, but you guys at Media Watch, you’re too wily, aren’t you? I’ve come a cropper.”
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22748799-2702,00.html
———-
If I was a Green voter in Wentworth i reckon the hard preference decision has just been made for me…considering how much i despise the Murdoch media…& worry about the integrity of any candidate they push, i’d be inclined to put my fears of Newhouses’ views on the Israel/Palestine conflict aside & preference him over Turnbull. Sure, The Australian covered Cousin’s attack on Turnbull over the Tasmanian Pulp Mill decision…but they also lambasted Garrett over issues. Sometimes they are forced to give a sense of balance.
But when up & coming Murdochites like Janet Albrechtson & Caroline Overington are supporting Turnbull…& in turn, Tim Palmer has his integrity questioned by the same News outlet because he queries their closeness to Turnbull…& Bob Hawke hits the road for the likes of Newhouse…well it’s all over for this Hawke/Palmer fan. No way would Hawkey promote anyone who was gonna take us down the road to war w/ Iran.
Sorry Malcolm…but if i were in Wentworth, you’d have lost my vote. I recommend you distance yerself from News Ltd…& better luck next time.
P.S. your wife dobbing in that passionate gay dude also didn’t help.