I have no blinders on about it, but I disagree about whether we intervene only when it is in our national interest to do so. I don't know how the politicians decide where we get involved, but take, for example, our involvement in Haiti. We have zero national interest in Haiti. And yet we have tried to help stabilize the country. Look at the Balkans. We have no real interest in the Balkans, and yet we had to kick the Europeans in the ass in order to get military intervention there.
As for Nigeria, Sudan, and other African countries where there is significant internal conflict, each country is a unique situation. It is a shame that more is not done, particularly in places like Sudan where hundreds of thousands have been killed, but African nations have asked the UN that the African regional forces (what is it called, the JSF?) be in charge of peacekeeping efforts there. In terms of larger conflicts, we have limit to what we can do, and obviously the bigger the fight, the more reluctant the country is to get involved. And certainly our interests play a factor in the decision-making process. The political calculus between self-interest, need, resources, and effort level is complex. I just think it paints too simple a picture to say we only get involved when something is at stake for us. We haven't always been on the side right of the fight either, especially back in the Cold War when the Realists partnered with any regime that was opposed to the Soviets. But we can't do anything about the past, we can only chart a course for the future. As for World Best Country, I don't know that I would say that. I don't think it should be a matter of being the best country, and I don't think there is a "best country". Everywhere is different, and what works for some people doesn't work for others. There are plenty of things not to like about the US, and plenty of others places in the world where someone can live a great life. I would live in Spain or Italy, maybe Costa Rica, maybe Bali, maybe somewhere else I haven't even been yet. But what works for me may not work for someone else. Lastly, I don't think it should be our duty alone to stand up to thugs and dictators. It should be the duty of all free nations. We just seem to be one of the few nations with the resources and the will to do it. It is really significant that central European states contributed to the Iraq War effort. They remember what it is like to live under tyrrany. They may not be able to give much, but they have helped and that counts for a lot in my book. And hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion. On 3/13/06, Vivec <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Robert, > > The United States does not *rescue anyone* unless it is in their own > National Interest to do so. If it did, it would have stepped into > Africa, North Korea, China and many other countries a long , long time > ago. > > So International Law or not, Kim Jong will continue his dictatorial rule. > And the killing in Nigeria and Africa which is supported and aided by > the United States' Arms Dealing with that continent, will go on. > > You really seem to have some patriotic, idealistic blinders on when it > comes to your country's Foreign Policy. > > You still seem to believe that the US is the great Liberator and the > great Beacon of Freedom. The US is better to live in than most places, > but it isn't the best place to live. Nor is it number one on the Human > Index, nor is it number one on the most generous countries in the > world either. > > But it *is* a better place to live than most, and generally its > citizens have the freedom to live as they please and have a great > standard of living as a whole. > > But don't confuse that with being the World's Best Country, Protector > And Saviour. > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:199935 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
