At 10:08 PM 7/27/01 -0700 Jim Sharkey wrote:
>Why do you incessantly assume that there is some anti-Bush conspiracy
>involving everyone on the Brin list but you?
Because it seems like the most plausible explanation for how the idea that
"Bush is radically unilateralist on foreign affairs in comparison to his
predecessors" has managed to become the world's conventional wisdom,
despite the utter lack of evidence.
Even the usual even-keeled _Economist_ had an article on the subject this
week, suggesting that the recent demise of 5 Treaties is damning evidence
of Bush's unilaterlaism. Yet, they conveniently failed to recall that the
lack of the support of the Kyoto Treaty, and the ICC Treaty, and (to a
lesser extent) the CBW Treaty all represents a completely continuous policy
from previous Administrations. The ICC example is the most egregious, as
the Clinton Administration was particularly clear in announcing our
irrevocable opposition to the Treaty in its current form. Likewise, _the
Economist_ also listed the ABM Treaty in that list, even though all signs
currently point towards a joint US-Russian agreement to revise the Treaty.
Finally, _The Economist_ also very conveniently left out the US's
unilateral opposition to the Landmine Ban Treaty - also under Clinton.
(Or, for that matter, a few of the US's unilateral vetoes in the UN
Security Council under Clinton.)
As near as I can tell, the faces of US foreign policy have changed, but the
policies are almost indistinguishable.
>The President, whether he means to or not, comes across on the world stage
>as the biggest kid in the sandbox, who's going to do whatever the heck he
>feels like. Sorry John, but he does. I never said that that was an
>entirely fair perception.
O.k. we agree here. This is definitely the perception. I just think that
this percention is demonstrably inaccurate and unjustified.
>And BTW, I *NEVER* used the word unilateral. You did. Kindly keep your
>words out of my mouth.
O.k., so do you agree that Bush's foreign policy is not typified by its
"unilateral" nature? Do you also agree that Bush is no more unilateral
than his predecessors?
JDG
__________________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - ICQ #3527685
We are products of the same history, reaching from Jerusalem and
Athens to Warsaw and Washington. We share more than an alliance.
We share a civilization. - George W. Bush, Warsaw, 06/15/01
