I wrote: > d.brin wrote: > >> Moreover, I am all in favor of Pax Americana, which has led to vastly >> more human opportunity and happiness than any other 'pax', and which >> may lead to a world of Justice and Law. > > This may indeed be the case. However, I cannot for the life of me understand > how so many Merkins expect the rest of the world to be happy with this > state of affairs. It goes against what seems to be one of their own most > cherished beliefs that there needs to be a system of checks and balances. I > keep hearing about the need to protect people from oppression by their own > government, yet these very same people think that the rest of the world > should blithely accept whatever the US decides is right. > > There was so much goodwill towards the US after 9/11, but somehow it has > been squandered. Part of the reason is the view (strongly expressed by some > Merkins on this list) that because the US is militarily so far ahead of the > rest of the world, that no attention needed to be given to any opposition to > any policy by friends and allies. Instead of harnessing the international > support the US had, anyone who dares voice any concerns "is not with us, but > against us". > > >> That's why we need to be careful and stand on high moral ground. >> Paradoxically, it is the only way to maintain our authority as the >> world's de facto police force. > > You said it! > > Regards, Ray. > > PS: From the above rant, don't assume you can work out what my position on > TWAT and Iraq is. :-)
Iseem to be echoing DB here! After snding the post and cleaning up my inbox, I found in a previous message from DB: >> Plus who else does the world turn to when there is real trouble? >> Kevin T. > > > I agree completely, which is why our Pax Americana authority is > valuable, PRECIOUS! Not to be squandered. > > When we use it right, our position rises and allies gain willingness > to follow us. When we squander this authority, pushing allies > around, browbeating them and ignoring their concerns, ignoring the > fact that they are telling us we sound trigger happy and loopy, that > is HARMFUL to America and harmful to our ability to lead. Cannot agree more! Note the use of the word "lead", not coerce. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
