George W. Bush and Co. are the biggest threat to humanity EVER!!!

[Nimrod2005]

Make no mistake about it, being the only superpower, and our passive aggressive behavior in foreign policy is changing the world to the worst, and the saddest thing is we AMERICANS (most of us) are not paying attention, we are too busy debating who can have anal sex with whom? Fighting to defend a war on Christmas, and debating Intelligent Design for schools, and of course who can forget the white pretty girl lost in Aruba!!!

We have already had socialist win elections all around us, extreme leftists, who do not support what we preach and/or our vision of the world. Chavez, Lula, Bolivia recently, Chile...etc. And Mexico may be next?

The most dangerous are the elections in Iraq, and now Hamas takes over in Palestine. Egyptian elections were trending the same, extreme religious parties are winning. And of course the BIGGEST and most DANGEROUS of them all are the Iranian elections, where previous trending positive political environment, was reversed and now we have a religious moron in charge.

Any reasonable person would agree, the WORLD is revolting against Bush Administration's policies, and Bush pretends nothing is happening, he is too busy convincing you that THEY are coming to get you and that he is doing God's work on earth.

This is a lose-lose situation for humanity, we are definitely in a downward negative spiral for sure. We used to use economic leverage (free trade, open markets...etc.) to overcome these things, but with Communist China holding our debt, we have no leverage!!!

[ixion]

1. and yet, as the theme song to 'American Idol' blares out through

millions of quasi-cognizent 'Murikan's homes, we secretly await the next missing white girl.

This will be the state of things when 'Murika finally jumps the shark. :cry:

[Nimrod2005]

2. sad, very sad....n/t

[Village Idiot]

3. Agreed. They have enlarged the stick and eaten the carrot.

The complete absence of the necessary quid pro quo from any of their so-called "diplomatic" agreements has hardened allies and enemies of the US everywhere.

This misadministration's hardline stance on the Middle East is BOUND to backfire, as we have been witnessing with the elections of extremist and anti-US ( or more accurately, pro-Arab) governments in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran and Palestine.

The leaders of these countries are not stupid or uninformed. They realize just how dependent on US munitions Israel is and they are beginning to realize that a US proxy war may no longer be possible for Israel. They suspect that the USA is so militarily hyperextended that there simply aren't enough troops to mount a successful ground offensive against an Iran/Syria/Egypt/Lebanon/Jordan/Palestine coalition.

Hang onto your hats, folks, this could get messy...

[Sparkman]

4. not untrue, except I would argue "free" trade is not a panacea, but could

be effectively applied in a limited fasion.
When the U.S. lost it's manufacturing base, hoping military businesses would suffice, it was due to relaxation of import restrictions. Multi-nationals have abandoned the national interest for profit and to the political advantage to the neo-cons. AND these neo-cons, first supporting Iran over Iraq in the Shaw's power struggle (Iran-Contra era), are still holding to their views that the U.S. Imperial interests must be enforced through pre-emptive war and any other military attrocity.
We must face the Mexico reality, that the competitor on our south will not participate militarily or politically beyond a minimal patronizing gesture. They have wisely allowed the U.S. to go it alone in the pursuit of Imperialism, and that's not likely to change. Same with Brazil. Their ruling class made the choice, and haven't changed the model for hundreds of years. Look at the U.S. political condition today, reaping the harvest of a world view much different from our neighbors. Look at the U.S. citizens standard of living, working longer and dying younger than many of the countries with better health care and child mortality (Cuba beats the U.S. here).
Mexico has gone the other direction from the U.S. European political model, and benefitted in so doing. On the surface, Mexico appears desolate, unlawful and poor. But their upper class has a much better living standard, shorter work regime, compared with their equals here. Where would you prefer to retire, in Peurto Valerta or Prescott? Where do you go to get your pharmaceuticals, Los Angles or Tijuana? Where have the multi-nationals go to build their plants, north or south?
In conclusion...just kidding. good on ya.

[Apollo11]

5. Don't believe the Hype

QUOTE: We have already had socialist win elections all around us, extreme leftists, who do not support what we preach and/or our vision of the world. Chavez, Lula, Bolivia recently, Chile...etc. And Mexico may be next?

I do not accept that all socialists are "extreme leftists". Do you also believe that Bush is a "moderate"?

I don't accept that Democratic Socialism represents a threat to freedom and democracy.

Even Tony Blair used to call himself a "democratic socialist"! (OK - so not recently ...)

The Prime Minister of Spain - Zapatero - is also a democratic socialist.

Was it really better when Fascist dictators were running south and central America, systematically killing and torturing all their political opponents? (Even if the Republicans call them "the good old days").

[Nimrod2005]

6. Don't disagree with anything you you are saying. In addition,

10-15 years ago, there was only one directional movement...and it was toward our style of living, trade, economic policy, and political views.

The cold war had ended in our favor, NAFTA had passed, India opened its markets, and everyone pushed for China to join the WTO - Privatization went on all over the world...etc. and still is of course.

But there is a reversal for sure, the people did not benefit, the poor countries got poorer, hunger and violence throughout the world is not stopping or slowing down...etc.

I can't wait for Tom Friedman's read on all of this.