When did America decide that it was permanently The Country that could set the agenda for everyone? (cf. AS, 'I don't think we negotiate with Amhadi-Nejad')
SELLING USA #1 - HOW FAR THE AMERICAN MYTH HAS COME IN 65 YEARS
The post-WWII era is long over and the Reagan-era bluster, that supposedly hastened it, was so very costly it hardly makes the category of easy or sure "victory".
So AS says today - and many others besides, he's just a strawman for this counterview - that he doesn't think meeting with Iran's President would serve U.S. interest.
HOW DO PEOPLE RECONCILE, PEACEFULLY, IF THEY DO NOT TALK - WAR, CAPITULATION - CONDITIONAL SURRENDER?
This is like a fundamental repudiation of the United Nations concept, a place where people can come to talk, because it is the historical experience that, when people do not talk, they assume the worst, imagine fewer realistic options available to them, and go to war.
The people who are repeating a doctrine that the exercise of strength intimidates and creates peace are mistaken. In today's world, it is just as likely to create a 'kennel of dogs' who are allied against you, as arrogant and presumptive hegemon.
The ideological viewpoint that, during Bush, shouted loudly that the efforts at a cultural dialog should be scuttled and heaped with derision is the mindset that needs to change. One can say this without coming within a breath of supporting the structure of the Iranian regime.
Under the fear and condemnation of "multicultural whitewash", they forget that maybe there is a world out there that is not yearning for "American leadership" and really may only coincidentally aspire to "American ideals".
Monday, May 19, 2008
Post-Reagan American Arrogance
