sogood said:
Yes, the next decade will be very interesting. Whether the superpowers would waste their energy and money again on ideological and ego driven construts or focus their energy to combat things that would of real benefit to mankind eg. Global warming, famines, HIV/other diseases and others. At the present time, all I can see is that the US is interested in beating their military prowess. Fortunately they received a black eye and a bloody nose through their Iraq adventure. And I think their Afghanistan plans are gradually falling to pieces with increasing casualty rate also. So these may just temper things a bit while they continue to waste billions of their tax dollars into those areas.
Yeah, but consider this for a moment. Even though both Iraq and Afghanistan are messes, they're American messes, and as long as America has soldiers there, in a mess or not, no other country can go in and create a "counter mess." (beyond the proxy fights of local and sponsored terrorists) At least not "uninvited" that is, unless they want to risk a war with the US.
America likes to control areas this way, with over 700 bases world-wide, and troops stationed in nice places like Germany and South Korea. America likes to create "manageable" conflicts, and that's often the real tragedy. America has created a "manageable little war over there."
Before you disagree about that, consider that this war costs the "average American" exactly NOTHING! I don't even personally know anyone, who actually knows anyone, who's lost a loved one there! There's freaking 300 million of us after all, do you suppose that the casualty rates you see are actually affecting the average American? Don't even get me started on the fact that most of those who are affected are the least influential of our society, poor and minority.
Cindy Sheehan was an anomaly, and a large percentage of those that have been killed come from families who are pro-military, and they often believe the sacrifice was just that, and who are we to argue?
Iraq is one of the least expensive wars as a percentage of GNP EVER. Our stock market is booming, our unemployment rate is at historical lows. The American people will not stop this war. Oh they'll weigh in from time-to-time, but only when prodded. And most often, the topic du jour is Gasoline prices, and only because most believe sub $2.00 per gallon gas is an American birthright. Not one in ten has any clue what the rest of the world is doing.
Oh you hear about bad public sentiment over here about the war, but only because, for most, it's fashionable. Really, I live here, and let me tell you, what you see on CNN isn't happening in the streets in large number, or really even on the college campuses in any significant amount. Most people ignore the war totally, and only when querried will they give you an opinion. Apathy is the national pastime here, and I'm not being cynical.
My point is, if Europe, or Australia, or China, or anyone else wants access to the huge oil reserves in Iraq, or the huge natural gas reserves in Afganistan, they need to deal with the Americans and their messes. "Black eyes and bloody noses" is a pretty darn insightful analogy, I will steal it from you I confess, but as you know, neither is fatal.
Any guesses why Nicholas Sarkozy is talking pro US relations? Big games are being played, and at the top of the list are the few remaining places where surplus oil and gas can be found. The US in the Middle East, China in Africa, and of course the Russian Caspian. Hold on tight, good thing you have your own continent!
I might join you!!!!!
Don't bet on the next administration to make any changes, you'll only be dissapointed. America isn't done messing up the world yet, it's "manifest destiny." Every American believes that is America's "birthright" as well.
Remember that America represents only about 5% of the world's population but uses over 50% of the world's resources. We're not even ashamed of it, we promote it! We celebrate it around the world, we're proud of it and we're exporting it in all its "made in China" consumeristic glory! There is no rationing, no war bonds, no conversion of "butter to bullits." NOTHING has changed with regard to any "physical reality" in my life as a result of the Iraq war.
Lot's of people may react with outrage at this post, they'll weigh in about how they've been "changed." ********, more will have been affected by an auto accident, home fire, flood or tornado. (My sincere condolences to anyone who has suffered ANY terrible loss, including a lost loved-one in the war, I do not mock your pain, nor do I seek to minimize it's VERY real affect on you and yours, may you find peace)
It is because of that "managability" that I am most worried, the incentive for change is too low. Because of that, I'm part of the problem, and even though I "know" it, I gotta confess, I am a BIG consumer, big house, vacation home, big cars, lots of bikes...I salve my conscience by riding to work and recycling the newspaper, and by admitting (ranting) my guilt here, but if I'm honest about it, I'm doing almost EXACTLY NOTHING to help solve the problem. My shame is I know it and I care, but that and About $3.00 will get me an espresso at Starbucks.
Good thing we're allies!
