What a difference a president makes. Former President Bill Clinton was thronged by admiring Vietnamese during this week’s visit to Hanoi, in stark contrast to the chilly reception given President Bush, who rushed through his recent visit and never mingled with ordinary Vietnamese.
Clinton helped normalize relations with Vietnam and is leading an effort to distribute AIDS drugs to the country’s children.
Dislike of America abroad isn’t inevitable. It does matter who is the face of America to the world, and how he approaches diplomacy. Clinton once again shows how it’s done.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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55 Comments
I’ve been saying that forever. We need to get rid of Bush NOW so we can get someone in there who can repair relations with the world.
Of course Clinton is truly Presidential. None of that for George, thank you!
We need to bring former President Clinton back, America need somebody like Mr. Clinton to lead this country again. The country did not appreciate him when he was in office but I think we are getting to see.
I will take issue with calling our military pussies.The military should never have been put in the position of being the enemy by Pres. Bush. Militray advisors were saying NO in the first place.
Bush invaded against contrary advice. Oil gets in his way of making practical and well thought out decisons. In spite of his intelligence ignorance seems to take control.
Then the big bomb was dropped. Iraq should privatize it’s oil and turn it over to many USA companies and BP not exactly Iraq natives who own the damn oil. Privatize Iraq oil and it’s a guarantee the military will be left behind to protect american oil giants at a very high cost to american taxpayers.
Guess IT IS a war for oil control after all.
Not only do we need to cut on mideast dependence we need to cut back on oil dependence period. It’s products poison the air, ground water and run off pollutes our waterways.
We’re already paying about $15.00 per gallon as it is.http://www.progress.org/gasoline.htm
We must also consider Jim Bakers very tight association with the Carlyle Group an its’ Saudi Investors.http://www.hereinreality.com/carlyle.html
For the record, I did not call the military pussies. That would be my troll, who appears to be up early this morning.
The Vietnamese probably like Clinton because he chose to hide in England to avoid the draft during the ‘Nam war. This puts him up in hero status with Jane “Hanoi” Fonda and Senator Kerry.
The stark contrast was probably due to all the Secret Service and police guarding the current President. Kind of makes it hard to show appreciation from several hundred yards away.
When Vietnam starts getting some of the Walmart profits by making cheap stuff for export and entering the global market in trade, then the Vietnamese will elevate Bush to a higher level.
JM,
Are you saying Clinton didn’t have the usual former-president Secret Service with him in Vietnam?
Personally, I’m glad Clinton didn’t volunteer during the Vietnam conflict. For one thing, it would have been hypocritical for him to do so, because he was against the war. For another, we lost enough bright, intelligent men and women. With a draft number of well over 300 that wasn’t called, it would have been a waste of yet another intelligent mind.
What WAS Dubya’s test score to enter the TANG? Barely passing, wasn’t it?
Looks like Scholfield is doing to Clinton what Monica did.Wipe your chin, Randy.The Wichita Eagle = not The Wall Street Journal
JM and Fleettwood–Bush “dead enders”
They’re like the people who supported Nixon after he was impeached.
Bush is in his “last throes, if you will,” and you folks can’t even see it.
Keep listening to Rush. He’ll tell you what to think. In fact, he even says that’s what he does.
Yes, I’m not sure the mark of a great US leader is the people of a socialist nation tripping over themselves to see you.
JM thinks that it is the secret service that is keeping people from showing their love for bush???
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hey JM? Once just once why don’t they let your boy interact with a group of American people who are not hand picked? You’d see how much “love” there is for bush.
“Yes, I’m not sure the mark of a great US leader is the people of a socialist nation tripping over themselves to see you.”
How about the mark of a great leader being no one from any country could care less about seeing him? Anyone we know resemble that remark?
You sure don’t foster countries working together by ignoring their plights, as this president does.
WORST PRESIDENT EVER!!!
So Bill’s making friends overseas? That’s great! He can’t make any at home. Send his ass to Iraq and he can make them all “warm and fuzzy”, and they won’t even think of fighting anymore. No more problems!
CapnAmerica–”Self-loathing hater of everything that is not his view”
I wrote what I wrote because I’m optimistic about the future. If I condemn the present just because it doesn’t fit in my particular view then I cannot be an optimist.
How soon we forget about the news stories of the Iraqi people going wild of being able to buy goods in a free marketplace, negotiate their prices of their own wares in a free market and the ability to criticize their government without fear of retribution.
I remember one news story where an Iraqi businessman couldn’t keep satellite TV receivers stocked because so many were selling. Another story is where the Shiite Muslims were allowed to have a parade to commerate an event of their beliefs.
Neither of those events would be possible under Saddam Hussein.
Yes, the war is horrible and in my opinion huge mistakes were made in the design and execution of it.
To quote an old slave, “I would rather die as a free man doing as I will than to die as a slave because of another man’s misguided desires.”
If bush really cared about anyone but himself, he would exploit the popularity of Bill Clinton and make him an official envoy. But bush is not about to do that because it would be admission that he is a complete failure as a President.
JR: What would you have him appointed as…ambassador to the world (without portfolio)? No sarcasm expressed nor implied, just asking a question.
JM, I’m sure some quote from a slave is an excellent reason to continue meddling in another country’s affairs.
Troll comments not withstanding, bush could make Clinton an envoy to any number of trouble spots.
As my grandfather used to say – the proof is in the pudding. It is true that Bill Clinton could pick up a phone right and form a real coaltion of allies. That is something George W. Bush NEVER did and COULD NOT do in a million years.
This is how the US remains a superpower – not by invading countries for their oil.
And, I just love it when Bill Clinton still gets the Republicans jealousy goat. Clinton’s popularity just make the Repubs go nuts – doesn’t it?
JM,
So you BELIEVE that Bush being guarded by the Secret Service is the reason for nearly 13,000 people protesting him in Jakarta recently?’Amid loud protests, Bush praises Indonesia’http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10362963
You seem to have been drinking incredibly potent koolaid!
Bush had better be happy he has Secret Service around him because then he would be a sitting duck.
There have millions of protesters against Bush in the last 6 years. What about this does Bush and Repubs not get?
Bush often has to speak in front of military crowds. It’s not that he has much support from the military, it’s because they are ordered to applaud.
http://www.militarycity.com/polls/2005_chart2.php
Granted these polls are nearly a year old. However I specifically found I think it was question #9.Basically 2/3 of the millitary think it will take between 3-10 years to stay in Iraq. However we are screaming now to get out after one (the poll is from jan 06).
“Once just once why don’t they let your boy interact with a group of American people who are not hand picked? You’d see how much “love” there is for bush.”
Tee Hee, JR. Like the eggs that were thrown at car before and after the 2000 Inauguration? Most presidents walk the route. GW and Laura had to duck into a limo. That’s how much he was loved…and he hadn’t even been in office an hour.
That just shows how immature some of “your kind” are and how unwilling some were from the beginning to let Bush the uniter he hoped to be.
Read some Bush biographies. The partisan politics in Washington have been one of his greatest disappointments.
Mr. KIA,
“That just shows how immature some of “your kind” are…”
What’s your label for the huge # of non-U.S. protesters, like the nearly 13,000 people protesting Bush in Jakarta last month?
KIA – especially after 9/11 Bush had an opportunity to be bipartisan. However, with his partisan majority in Congress Bush chose to go for one-party rule. In the House dennis Hastert instituted rules within the GOP caucus (”majority of majority”) designed specifically to discourage bipartisanship. It is only now, after the GOP losses this year, than Bush is reaching across the aisle. He knows that with the blue-dog Democrats he might be able to work around the Dem leadership. That is one of the differences between dems and Reps; dems are not as well organized or disciplined.
Bush keeps saying he is a uniter but all I see is divisive words and divisive actions on his part.
When does he plan to unite? And don’t blame the Democrats for this one – it is all on George W. Bush.
The only reason the Iraq Study Group was put together was because Daddy Bush is trying to step in and save face for little Jr.
My husband is an officer in the military and has seen Bush speak several times. And he has never been ordered to applaud. I don’t know where you get your information, but it is incorrect.
My step-brother told me that when LBJ visited Cam Ranh Bay they took the guns away from most of the troops. Afraid one of them would ‘take care of’ LBJ.
The ISG was bipartisan; lets see how much of their bipartisanship rubs off on Bush.
ConcernedMom–
Bush salts the crowd with shills that applaud at certain points. That gets everybody else to applaud.
It’s an old trick . . .
I doubt that. He doesn’t need to.
As far as protestors in Jakarta go, I’d expect nothing less from a predominantly islamic nation. We are at war with a sect of that faith for crying out loud.The rest is all political rhetoric.The Dems are talking bi-partinship now that they have the power.
We are at war with a sect of that faith for crying out loud.
Just like we were at war with a sect of Buddhism 4 decades ago. VietNam never did anything to the US but we sure bombed the crap out of them. And for what purpose?
KIA?
“Read some Bush biographies. The partisan politics in Washington have been one of his greatest disappointments.”
Oh I bet it has! Without democrats fighting him at every turn the damage he wanted to do would be so much worse.
Trying to blame democrats for the hatred in politics?
Hmmm….I’m having a flashback.
I’m remembering Republicans bussed in to shout down and shut down the Florida recount. I have another memory of Republican zealots outside the residence of Vice President Al Gore screaming “Get out of Dick Cheney’s house!” I’m remembering bush himself stating “A President of the United States is a President of all the people.”
Well given the circumstances, that souded to about 50 million people like “I’m President. SUCK ON IT!”
And all that on the heels of the crucifixion of President Clinton.
No it’s not the dems who made the divide. You and yours did that.
Mr. KIA,
During his visit, Bush called Indonesia “an example of how democracy and modernization can present an alternative to extremism.”
Do you believe it’s a wise strategy to make the world’s most populous Muslim nation — Bush’s “alternative to extremism” — so angry that there are huge protests against him?
People there in his “alternative to extremism” called him a “war criminal” and “terrorist”.
Not to mention similar protests occur in other (non-Muslim) nations.
If anyone thinks that Bush did anything at all to unite this country, you haven’t been paying attention. From Faith based initiatives, to the War, every step has been a thumbing his nose at democrats.
EVERY step.
I’m surprised that there are ANY conservatives left. TOTAL control, and all that has happened is the entire country has been run into the ground.
Clinton is very well regarded in much of the world, but let’s not forget the Iraq sanctions, started by Bush I but maintained by Clinton. Given the number unneccesary deaths during that period, I doubt the Iraqi rank-and-file would regard him more warmly than Shrub.
Concerned_Mom–
It’s been documented . . . I’ll track it down one of these days.
Clinton would be a wonderful replacement for John Bolton, he could be the breath of fresh air that the UN needs.
Mary, I agree.
No matter what these guys with raging testosterone think, diplomacy should ALWAYS be the first step. In fact, it was supposed to be the first concerning our invasion of Iraq. Instead, Bush continues with his I-won’t-talk-to-(fill in the blank)-let’s-just-bomb-’em strategy, and all he’s done is make our country less safe.
The good that Clinton did in the Middle East while president has disappeared, thanks to help from the current administration. No telling what BushCo will accomplish in their same vein over the next 2 years.
Unbelievable! And today we find out that the adolescent Clinton was tapping Princess Di’s cellphone…
Hell Bush is still scared of the Vietnamese, even if he is claiming victory for the U.S.
Thankfully, most Kansans saw thru the Clintons. He never won the state. Nor the majority of the American vote-never over 50%. But the MSM worships him. Waco, Ruby Ridge, the worlds largest tax increase, lieing to the public, using his office to obstruct justice, sexual harrassment, they still love him.
Go girl!
yes well Lanna
Kansans are not know for their smarts.
And Kansans also have Todd Tiarht and Sam Brownback as senators; proof that Kansans are very gullible. So your point is not well taken.
What about George W. Bush lying to Congress to go to war? Congress authorized war as the last resort and Bush went directly to invade Iraq. How about that?
You talk about Ruby Ridge and Waco – what about Bush’s desire to be able to label anyone an enemy combatant and the ability to torture that person? Is this really the type of democracy you want?
Bush has been granted many powers that have never been granted before. The Republicans forgot one important thing when they were granting Bush everything he wanted – the next president (Democrat or Republican) will have the same powers. Republicans may not like it when the power is on the other foot.
I just don’t get all this venom after all these years toward Clinton. I don’t understand either how you can support a man who has lied to you about so many things that has killed so many innocents. When Clinton lied nobody died. Vietnam was another war where we were lied to but we finally got it andgot out. Maybe some of you are just not old enough to have lost someone in Vietnam. We couldn’t change what happened there and we can’t stop the civil war in Iraq. We need to get out now!!
The venon against Clinton is what it has always been – Republicans are jealous that Clinton would still win in any election against one of the Repubs.
that little green monster is what drove the Republicans for 8 years during Clinton’s presidency and it has not stopped yet. Very petty behavior and then the GOP wonders why the majority of Americans voted against them in the last election.
Clinton didn’t win a majority of the popular vote in either of his two presidential races. Bush 41 would have won in 92 if not for Ross Perot. And Clinton only got 49% of the vote in 96 vs. Bob Dole.
Clinton may be the hero of the democrats, but he never was all that popular with the rest of the country.
There’s no indication that if Perot didn’t run that Bush would have gotten those votes. As for Clinton’s popularity he had large approval ratings in the polls. Clinton’s lowest approval ratings were right after the election in 92 when the conservative media reported predictions of economic doom. Of course they were wrong and continued to be wrong for the next 8 years. His highest approval rating was after impeachment hitting 73%.
It’s no surprise that outside of America where people get more accurate news than in the States Clinton is even more popular. If Bush were to be impeached he’d get a higher approval rating because everyone would be happy he’s going out in handcuffs, and Bush hasn’t won an election since he was governor of Texas (he got more votes calling the governor a lesbian, but honesty never appealed to Bush).
Hey Brenda!! Welcome to the blog!
Bush didn’t win the popular vote in either of his elections either but thanks to his brother and the supreme court he because President anyway. Finally though we have a breathe of fresh air and maybe a chance for someone other than Bible thumpers to be in charge. Maybe we will end the killing in Iraq, actually educate our children about something other than “intelligent design,” (what an oxymoron!),an intelligent conversation about sexuality and an honest debate about how to prevent pregnancy in teenagers. I know, I live in a dream world!!