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alexandralI was reading about USA elections and found this piece of Biden's statement he apparently made during the Democratic convention:
"Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out. And for the last seven years, the administration has failed to face the biggest the biggest forces shaping this century. The emergence of Russia, China and India's great powers, the spread of lethal weapons, the shortage of secure supplies of energy, food and water.
Ladies and gentlemen, in recent years and in recent days we once again see the consequences of the neglect, of this neglect, of Russia challenging the very freedom of a new democratic country of Georgia. Barack and I will end that neglect. We will hold Russia accountable for its action and we will help Georgia rebuild. I have been on the ground in Georgia, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and I can tell you in no uncertain terms, this administration's policy has been an abysmal failure. America cannot afford four more years of this failure.And now, now, despite being complacent in the catastrophic foreign policy, John McCain says Barack Obama, Barrack Obama is not ready to protect our national security. Now let me ask you this. Whose judgment do you trust? Should you trust the judgment of John McCain when he said only 3 years ago, "Afghanistan - we don't read about it anymore in the papers, because it succeeded"? Or do you believe Barack Obama, who said a year ago, "We need to send two more combat battalions to Afghanistan"?
The fact of the matter is, al-Qaida and the Taliban - the people who have actually attacked us on 9/11 - they've regrouped in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan and are plotting new attacks. And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has echoed Barack's call for more troops and John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right."
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Leaving the Georgia issue aside as a difficult and controversial one it still seems:
1. Even though Biden seems to be a supporter of the troops withdrawal from Iraq his view doesn't imply that USA should stop it's wars. No, he means that instead of Iraq war it will be the war with Afganistan and (sort of implied) attacks on Pakistan borders. Or even a war with Pakistan?
2. Russia, China and India's "great powers" are bulked with lethal weapons.
3. The "war on terror" (and international paranoia) will continue, just in a different place.
4. Even though I promised to leave the Georgia issue aside, "We will hold Russia accountable for its action" sounds kind of ominous. BRRRRRRRRRRR.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I need to dig a hole and hide. It does seem that whoever wins the elections there is not going to be any changes. McCain/Palin support the war in Iraq. Obama/Biden support the "war on terrorism".
"Bush foreign policy has dug us into a very deep hole, with very few friends to help us climb out. And for the last seven years, the administration has failed to face the biggest the biggest forces shaping this century. The emergence of Russia, China and India's great powers, the spread of lethal weapons, the shortage of secure supplies of energy, food and water.
Ladies and gentlemen, in recent years and in recent days we once again see the consequences of the neglect, of this neglect, of Russia challenging the very freedom of a new democratic country of Georgia. Barack and I will end that neglect. We will hold Russia accountable for its action and we will help Georgia rebuild. I have been on the ground in Georgia, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and I can tell you in no uncertain terms, this administration's policy has been an abysmal failure. America cannot afford four more years of this failure.And now, now, despite being complacent in the catastrophic foreign policy, John McCain says Barack Obama, Barrack Obama is not ready to protect our national security. Now let me ask you this. Whose judgment do you trust? Should you trust the judgment of John McCain when he said only 3 years ago, "Afghanistan - we don't read about it anymore in the papers, because it succeeded"? Or do you believe Barack Obama, who said a year ago, "We need to send two more combat battalions to Afghanistan"?
The fact of the matter is, al-Qaida and the Taliban - the people who have actually attacked us on 9/11 - they've regrouped in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan and are plotting new attacks. And the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has echoed Barack's call for more troops and John McCain was wrong and Barack Obama was right."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Leaving the Georgia issue aside as a difficult and controversial one it still seems:
1. Even though Biden seems to be a supporter of the troops withdrawal from Iraq his view doesn't imply that USA should stop it's wars. No, he means that instead of Iraq war it will be the war with Afganistan and (sort of implied) attacks on Pakistan borders. Or even a war with Pakistan?
2. Russia, China and India's "great powers" are bulked with lethal weapons.
3. The "war on terror" (and international paranoia) will continue, just in a different place.
4. Even though I promised to leave the Georgia issue aside, "We will hold Russia accountable for its action" sounds kind of ominous. BRRRRRRRRRRR.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I need to dig a hole and hide. It does seem that whoever wins the elections there is not going to be any changes. McCain/Palin support the war in Iraq. Obama/Biden support the "war on terrorism".
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 03:42 pm (UTC)"Russia today is not the Soviet Union, and we are not returning to the Cold War. Retrofitting outdated 20th century thinking to address this new 21st century challenge will not advance American national interests."
Biden, in the debate, decried the idea that a surge policy is needed in Afghanistan, pointing to the U.S. commander in Afghanistan's recent words against a surge-type policy, instead saying that more troops would not help without helping the government, building infrastructure and making a difference, that way.
So, really, I think that this ticket is much more positive.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 04:12 pm (UTC)However, reading the Biden's statement made me realize that in any case this will be the same USA government which wants to support it's single-super-powerness at any cost. I accept that may be USA electors see it as a positive thing but for myself it is a negative thing.
And what of Biden's idea to divide Iraq in three parts? I hope this is abandoned.
I am also not a supporter of the war on terror. It hasn't brought any results yet.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 04:20 pm (UTC)Anti-nuclear proliferation seems to be a bigger issue -- it's going to be tough to put that genie back in the bottle anywhere, though, and Obama/Biden aren't talking about attacking Iran, thank goodness.
I think that the division of Iraq is metaphorical at best with the politicians worried about how the nascent state is going to ensure protection of civil rights in the regions for religious and cultural minorities -- again, reading the platform policy statements and Obama's other words on Iraq make it clear that he's looking to work with the Iraqis so that they can take over and he can withdraw helpfully.
I wish the war on terror had never started: it was stupid! I especially wish that no one had falsely extended that into Iraq, where NONE of this had ever occurred, despite the other abuses of Saddam Hussein's regime, no one could indict them in those attacks. However, now that Afghanistan has been a focus for the western alliance (including Canada) for these many years, but without sufficient support, I'm glad to hear that someone is saying "give them infrastructure, help them rebuild, help them to have something to offer that's countering the Taliban" when it comes to policies with Afghanistan.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 05:33 pm (UTC)Anti-nuclear proliferation seems to be a bigger issue -- it's going to be tough to put that genie back in the bottle anywhere, though, and Obama/Biden aren't talking about attacking Iran, thank goodness.
Yes, this worries me too, as well as Nato expansion. It is all good and proper to call NATO "an instrument of bringing peace" (by Condoleeza Rice's words, though I don't remember them exactly) but planning of putting new nuclear warheads next to Russia is worrying me. Remember - "Peace is our profession!"
I'm glad to hear that someone is saying "give them infrastructure, help them rebuild, help them to have something to offer that's countering the Taliban" when it comes to policies with Afghanistan.
This is definitely a positive thing.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 06:07 pm (UTC)Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:05 pm (UTC)That said, I was not opposed to the idea of the invasion of Afghanistan but I was terribly afraid of how it was going to be executed.
I don't really have time right now to say much else. I may respond to this post later in the day!
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:22 pm (UTC)Me too.
Re: Afganistan. 9/11 was a huge thing and I could understand that the USA government wanted to do SOMETHING about it.
However, remembering USSR's experience in Afganistan, fighting the same people, and especially local conditions with high amounts of desert mountains, it was very clear that the aims of defeating al-Qaida, Taliban and capturing Osama bin Laden would not be ever achieved. I think the USA has more chances doing it through their undercover CIA operations or bribe. Now it looks like Taliban is moving into Pakistan and Pakistan will be next? I hope not because again this will never work.
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-03 05:45 pm (UTC)Well, yes, I agree, overall. Again, I don't have a lot time right now!
Unlike many US citizens, I wasn't surprised by the events of 9/11. I was shocked of course, but I wasn't surprised. I had been talking about the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for years.
I also used to know quite a bit about Pakistan. I hate my sieve-like brain.
At some point I will probably have to make a post explaining my political positions and my personal belief system. I'm sure that it will be the longest post that I have ever written but I should do it.
Argh. I'm so bad on the internet. It's hilarious.
Re: Sorry to jump in!
Date: 2008-10-13 08:57 pm (UTC)