Monday, August 18, 2008

You should try talking to it. 'Cause, like, supposedly they can hear you even though it's all, like, ten-thousand leagues under the sea.

This...

Three weeks later, Mr. Bush went to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, at the invitation of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. There, he received a message from the Russian: the push to offer Ukraine and Georgia NATO membership was crossing Russia’s “red lines,” according to an administration official close to the talks.

Afterward, Mr. Bush said of Mr. Putin, “He’s been very truthful and to me, that’s the only way you can find common ground.” It was one of many moments when the United States seemed to have missed — or gambled it could manage — the depth of Russia’s anger and the resolve of the Georgian president to provoke the Russians.


...reminded me of this.

Later the transcript has Glaspie saying: "We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait. Secretary Baker has directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960s, that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America."


Which in turn reminded me of this...

Nevertheless, FBI information since that time indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks, including recent surveillance of federal buildings in New York.

The FBI is conducting approximately 70 full-field investigations throughout the U.S. that it considers bin Laden-related. CIA and the FBI are investigating a call to our embassy in the UAE in May saying that a group or bin Laden supporters was in the U.S. planning attacks with explosives.


When it comes to foreign policy it's probably best to heed the advice of Jesse Jackson and "stay out of the Bushes." Their incomptence is generational. In fairness a president McCain would be just as clueless

10 comments:

Bradda said...

After Sat's "forum" it looks like we just might be in for 4 more years of crazy! With a side of lunatic...

Unconventional Conventionist said...

Wild - I thought about the Glaspie thing too last week. ANd is it any wonder? We're investing in armed forces (which are being drained in a useless theater) and not a penny to diplomacy.

There will be more diplomatic fuck ups until the diplomatic corps can be revitalized with intelligent and dedicated people. At least that's an easier department to build up, since it's just empty right now.

Unlike the Department of Justice that has a couple hundred Monica Goodling personnel land mines in it.

Fran said...

To which I say... amazing coincidences or disturbing parallels?

You decide.

We are all screwed, aren't we?

Deep sigh.

Don Snabulus said...

Amazing how fast everyday things get weird. Money, Oil, and Power. The answer lies in there somewhere.

Randal Graves said...

UC, diplomacy is for fancy boys and weak-kneed potheads. Real Men Go To Baghdad and Kabul and Las Vegas for RNC-sponsored burlesque shows.

DivaJood said...

But Condi Rice just went to Nato and demanded that Russia be punished for invading. After all, the USA is the last bastion of morality, n'est ce pas?

Excuse me while I get ill.

dguzman said...

Like DivaJood said, Condi is over there smoothing all this shit over -- I'm sure everything will be fine in no time, and we can all go back to our shopping.

Dean Wormer said...

bradda-

That menu makes me sick.

unconventional-

It's like these guys only understand stuff if it's blowing up. It's just nuts.

At least as you say we can clean up state.

Unlike the Department of Justice that has a couple hundred Monica Goodling personnel land mines in it.

Watch cons go completly nuts screaming "partisan politics" as get rid of the Bush hacks.

fran-

It's not that dire. We still have family, friends and tequila.

don-

So cynical and so true.

randal-

Haha! Real men aren't tough, real men ACT tough!

diva-

Condi is the Russia expert. Maybe fran's right and we're doooommmmmed.

Dr. Zaius said...

At least he is trying. (Very trying.)

Dean Wormer said...

True.