It was good to hear Vice President Dick Cheney rebuke Russia this week. “In many areas of civil society — from religion and the news media, to advocacy groups and political parties — the government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of her people,” Cheney said in a speech in Lithuania. Russia and President Vladimir Putin have gotten a free pass for too long. But it’s going to take more than a few strong words to get Russia to reverse its retreat from democracy. And would Cheney have criticized Russia as harshly had it not been blocking U.S. efforts to penalize Iran for its nuclear program?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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7 Comments
Cheney’s statements are stirring up “blowback”. The Russian press views them as sabre-rattling, and has proposed the possibility of renewal of the Cold War.
So we’re sending threatening messages to Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and probably a lot of other places through back channels. Some sabre-rattling is occurring in the Beltway over China, as arguments are being advanced that China is undergoing a military build-up and may become our chief adversary later in this century.
We don’t have the power to regulate the world. The U.S. cannot be the world’s leader if the world does not want to follow. To think otherwise is foolish. Some problems are simply intractable, and proposed solutions simply do not work.Expending energy to solve them is wasteful, and merely diverts energy from problems that are soluble, and need to be solved.Such as achieving energy independence for America, educating American children for the 21st century, providing decent jobs for working-age Americans, decent livings for retired Americans, and decent healthcare for all Americans.
Maybe these things don’t generate a testosterone high for pseudo-warrior chicken hawks. Maybe we need new leaders who will devote themselves to making life better for all Americans. Maybe provoking conflict in many corners of the world isn’t really in Americans’ interests.
The main thrust of Cheney’s attack on Russia was blackmailing America with the cost of oil and gas. Why no mention? I read with the oil windfall Russia is experiencing, they now feel they can thumb their nose at the U.S. Was this another ‘Unintended consequence’ of the Administration’s pandering to the oil companies?
Wars and rumors of wars are Pablum for the masses from this administration. If they keep our attention on war, maybe we won’t notice the bribery and scandal going on in Washington.
Had enough yet?
…and dont they get TWO boogey men if they jump start the cold war again?
Seems like we need two separate Presidents, an “I” President for international issues and a “D” President for domestic issues. During the Kennedy/Johnson presidential term, the Cuban Missile Crises happened and early activity on the Vietnam War. But as I recall, domestic issues seemed to receive more attention. Of course, under President Johnson, the Vietnam War became the major activity and, as a result, Lyndon Johnson chose not to run for his second full term.
Now it seems President Bush and V.P. Cheney spend most of their time on Iraq/foreign issues and oil issues and neglect domestic issues.
How about we have real democracy here first? Then we’d be in a position to criticise other countries.
Russians have more freedom than we Americans! Putin is dealing with the jew oligarchs as he should and cheney should shut his filthy mouth!
Viva La Raza Blanco!!!