From the LA Times comes Jonag Goldberg's, "One sorry mess of a party". This piece is a well-written examination of the current plight of the Democratic party, today.
Angry and desperate are two words that come to mind when, discussing the behaviors and reactions of Dems over the last five years. When faced with repeated failure, many will resort to displays of anger. Case in point, liberals starting name calling the moment their argument is challenged to the degree that they cannot defend their weak and faulty claims, in an intelligent and eloquent manner. When found to be consistently losing the war of ideas, they become desperate, as we see when they stage stunts or make outrageously controversial statements, a la Howard Dean.
One could write a whole book about many instances when Dems shoot themselves in the foot, time and time again. The most recent display of childish foolishness was the inappropriate political commentary forcefully injected to what supposed to be eulogies and remembrances of Coretta Scott King. Instead of making it a funeral, some tried to turn it into a campaign stump speech, because they believe that it is what Mrs. King would have wanted.
These things do hurt the Dems, and much more than many Dems are willing to admit. But the thing that hurts them most of all? Clearly, it is the lack of ideas. And until they come up with some, they will continue to lose elections. Because, no matter how they skew it and twist it, they ARE LOSING elections.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
News In Brief
Since I am finding no particular inspiration to write an in-depth essay on any particular topic, I thought that instead of putting up a series of posts, I would just summarize some of the stories that are out there, on a slow news cycle day.
Sensing that European-American relations are starting to improve, Peter van Ham, head of the Global Governance Program at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, just has to make one last desperate attempt to drive the wedge in further with this op-ed piece in the IHT.
Drudge has linked to John McCain's site which has posted this letter sent to Sen. Barack Obama. Here is an excerpt:
Ouch. It seems now that the Democratic party's "golden child" has forgotten his centrist appeal that he so carefully worked, to get elected. Is Barack just another Democratic hack that is beholden to the socialist elitists? Or is someone from the Deaniac/Kennedy/Kerry wing leaning on him? From the looks of this letter from the moderate senator from Arizona, he is beginning to look like it's one or the other (or maybe even both).
From Reuters comes this story about New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin soliciting for aid from other countries. God forbid that we would want the people of Louisiana and New Orleans to ante something up for the reconstruction. But wait a minute, I guess I forgot. Both the Governor and the Mayor are Democrats; both believe that the world owes them something and that they bear no responsibility for their own recovery or their own destiny.
They desperately need the relocated African-American community vote to stay in power, which is what this is really all about. Get them back as quickly as possible and make deals with whomever, to expedite it as soon as possible before Election Day.
And also from Reuters comes this story about Denmark's protest of attacks on its embassy, in Iran. Let's see, the Iranian president that once was (more than likely) involved in the illegal takeover of the American embassy in 1979, is supposed to guarantee security for the Danes?
And finally from the Associated Press comes this piece about the hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee, concerning what many are convinced is the illegal wiretapping of al-Qaeda members' phone conversations. Let's see if we can keep this straight. It's illegal to listen in on an avowed enemy of the United States of America? What do you want to bet this is going on in France and nobody but the extreme hard left gives a damn?
Sensing that European-American relations are starting to improve, Peter van Ham, head of the Global Governance Program at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations, just has to make one last desperate attempt to drive the wedge in further with this op-ed piece in the IHT.
Drudge has linked to John McCain's site which has posted this letter sent to Sen. Barack Obama. Here is an excerpt:
I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership’s preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions.
Ouch. It seems now that the Democratic party's "golden child" has forgotten his centrist appeal that he so carefully worked, to get elected. Is Barack just another Democratic hack that is beholden to the socialist elitists? Or is someone from the Deaniac/Kennedy/Kerry wing leaning on him? From the looks of this letter from the moderate senator from Arizona, he is beginning to look like it's one or the other (or maybe even both).
From Reuters comes this story about New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin soliciting for aid from other countries. God forbid that we would want the people of Louisiana and New Orleans to ante something up for the reconstruction. But wait a minute, I guess I forgot. Both the Governor and the Mayor are Democrats; both believe that the world owes them something and that they bear no responsibility for their own recovery or their own destiny.
They desperately need the relocated African-American community vote to stay in power, which is what this is really all about. Get them back as quickly as possible and make deals with whomever, to expedite it as soon as possible before Election Day.
And also from Reuters comes this story about Denmark's protest of attacks on its embassy, in Iran. Let's see, the Iranian president that once was (more than likely) involved in the illegal takeover of the American embassy in 1979, is supposed to guarantee security for the Danes?
And finally from the Associated Press comes this piece about the hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee, concerning what many are convinced is the illegal wiretapping of al-Qaeda members' phone conversations. Let's see if we can keep this straight. It's illegal to listen in on an avowed enemy of the United States of America? What do you want to bet this is going on in France and nobody but the extreme hard left gives a damn?
Iran Announces Holocaust Cartoon Contest
News.co.au has this story.
Iran has no other choice but to blame the Danish cartoons on Israel.
You see, Iran is no different than a school yard bully. He gets beat up by someone he CANNOT whip, so he takes it out on someone he thinks he CAN whip. This is fine display of what true cowardice is.
IRAN'S largest selling newspaper announced today it was holding a contest on cartoons of the Holocaust in response to the publishing in European papers of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.
Iran has no other choice but to blame the Danish cartoons on Israel.
You see, Iran is no different than a school yard bully. He gets beat up by someone he CANNOT whip, so he takes it out on someone he thinks he CAN whip. This is fine display of what true cowardice is.
Son Of Jimmy Carter To Run For U.S. Senate
Reuters is reporting that Jack Carter, son of the former President, has announced he wants to run for the Senate.
You know what they say, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Look out Nevada, there's an unrealistic bleeding heart liberal's son among you and he wants to be YOUR Senator. But then again, you all elected Harry Reid. What's to say, you won't want to outdo yourselves on this one?
You know what they say, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Look out Nevada, there's an unrealistic bleeding heart liberal's son among you and he wants to be YOUR Senator. But then again, you all elected Harry Reid. What's to say, you won't want to outdo yourselves on this one?
Monday, February 06, 2006
New Blog Added To The PYY Blogroll
I'd like take a moment to present a new blog, you will now find in the PYY blogroll, Super Frenchie. And as you may guess, he is French. His site offers a perspective from a Frenchman living in America.
As he and I have already found there are some differences of opinion in some areas, but that isn't the important thing. The thing to note is, we have many areas where we agree. Most of you that read this blog with any regularity at all know that I am no fan of communism. And neither is he. Check out his post, Commy Frenchies.
You won't find more of an international focus in a blog as you do here. We have a good mix of nations represented. Just take a look at this:
JAPAN - Global American Discourse
BRITAIN - Up Pompeii, EU Rota, The Road To Euro Serfdom
GERMANY - David's Medienkritik
IRAN - I doubt these guys are in Iran, but at A Daily Briefing On Iran, you can get up to date news and information on the activities inside the world's most dangerous theocracy.
And now, FRANCE is represented well, too.
So give Frenchie a look. And give these others a look too. There is much to learn from and about each other. And this forum can be one of the many methods used to seek out a better understanding of one another.
As he and I have already found there are some differences of opinion in some areas, but that isn't the important thing. The thing to note is, we have many areas where we agree. Most of you that read this blog with any regularity at all know that I am no fan of communism. And neither is he. Check out his post, Commy Frenchies.
You won't find more of an international focus in a blog as you do here. We have a good mix of nations represented. Just take a look at this:
JAPAN - Global American Discourse
BRITAIN - Up Pompeii, EU Rota, The Road To Euro Serfdom
GERMANY - David's Medienkritik
IRAN - I doubt these guys are in Iran, but at A Daily Briefing On Iran, you can get up to date news and information on the activities inside the world's most dangerous theocracy.
And now, FRANCE is represented well, too.
So give Frenchie a look. And give these others a look too. There is much to learn from and about each other. And this forum can be one of the many methods used to seek out a better understanding of one another.
Europe's Awakening
The search for excellence continues daily at PYY and today is no exception. At Real Clear Politics , there is an outstanding commentary, entitled "A European Awakening Against Islamic Fascism?" by Victor Davis Hanson. And, if you read nothing else today, you really should, read this intriguing and poignant article. It is a well written piece with some refreshing perspectives on the recent chain of events, in the European theater.
In my my recent essay, "Are France And America Allies Again?", I stated that I believe we may have been closer than what was once portrayed, by both medias and to some degree, both governments. I know that many might disagree (my new blog friend Super Frenchie is one) with this assessment. But we must all remember that we as Americans and as French (or other Europeans) are not privy to the most secret of conversations and subsequent deals made by our leaders, when in private. We only have access to the facts and opinions that are made public, usually by way of the news media and more recently by way of the blogosphere.
From there, our opinions are formed. From there, the facts are presented, either accurately or inaccurately. And then, we as free-thinking individuals are free to analyze those facts, sort through the rubbish and discard it, and establish within ourselves some form of opinion, which in turn becomes part of our overall belief system.
So unless a secret fact comes to light, as a result of a leak or a forthcoming change of heart, we only know what we know. And, from all appearances, it looked like Europe was not getting it, and most of it was due to the disagreement on Iraq. But from what we are witnessing from our European counterparts today, is either a complete reversal of philospophy/ideology or it is simply bringing to light, that which, has been kept off of the radar for very specific reasons, up until now.
Imagine a conversation between Bush and Chirac taking place, whereby, Bush explains what he wants to do with Iraq, and why. Chirac tells him that his country cannot support an invasion at this time and the reasons are, the numbers of disaffected Muslims that live in France and how they fear chaos will erupt if that happens. He wants Bush to clearly understand how vulnerable the republic would be, if they openly backed "US imperialism" in a Middle Eastern country. He further explains to the American President that he must overtly criticize the operation and make appearances that he is overtly against it. But covertly, he offers any help that they can, secretly and quietly. (This may account for the Bush Administration's lack of willingness to overtly criticize Chirac or his government, during all of this.)
But now, things are different. Why? Let's read what Mr. Hanson has to say:
You can now add to that the attacks on the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria and we can plainly see that the safe route, the quiet route, was not working and likely will never work.
But, in all of this, let's not forget this one point:
Whether the Europeans were really on our side in Iraq or not, is not important now. That is the past. The important thing to note is, they certainly appear to be on our side now. In fact, they seem to be taking the lead in the "guts" department, in this cartoon flap. And, they are doing it much more so than the American media or government is willing to do, at this point in time.
And we need that right now. We need each other, we (along with Australia) ARE western civilization and our unity against dangerous islamofascists will ultimately determine whether that civilization will survive, or not. It does not matter how and why the Europeans have awakened (or if they were ever asleep), the important thing to note is, a sleeping giant is now awake and wants the enemies of freedom and liberty to know that they are awake.
And I, for one, am glad.
Over the last four years Americans have played a sort of parlor game wondering when—or if—the Europeans might awake to the danger of Islamic fascism and choose a more muscular role in the war on terrorism.
In my my recent essay, "Are France And America Allies Again?", I stated that I believe we may have been closer than what was once portrayed, by both medias and to some degree, both governments. I know that many might disagree (my new blog friend Super Frenchie is one) with this assessment. But we must all remember that we as Americans and as French (or other Europeans) are not privy to the most secret of conversations and subsequent deals made by our leaders, when in private. We only have access to the facts and opinions that are made public, usually by way of the news media and more recently by way of the blogosphere.
From there, our opinions are formed. From there, the facts are presented, either accurately or inaccurately. And then, we as free-thinking individuals are free to analyze those facts, sort through the rubbish and discard it, and establish within ourselves some form of opinion, which in turn becomes part of our overall belief system.
So unless a secret fact comes to light, as a result of a leak or a forthcoming change of heart, we only know what we know. And, from all appearances, it looked like Europe was not getting it, and most of it was due to the disagreement on Iraq. But from what we are witnessing from our European counterparts today, is either a complete reversal of philospophy/ideology or it is simply bringing to light, that which, has been kept off of the radar for very specific reasons, up until now.
Imagine a conversation between Bush and Chirac taking place, whereby, Bush explains what he wants to do with Iraq, and why. Chirac tells him that his country cannot support an invasion at this time and the reasons are, the numbers of disaffected Muslims that live in France and how they fear chaos will erupt if that happens. He wants Bush to clearly understand how vulnerable the republic would be, if they openly backed "US imperialism" in a Middle Eastern country. He further explains to the American President that he must overtly criticize the operation and make appearances that he is overtly against it. But covertly, he offers any help that they can, secretly and quietly. (This may account for the Bush Administration's lack of willingness to overtly criticize Chirac or his government, during all of this.)
But now, things are different. Why? Let's read what Mr. Hanson has to say:
The Madrid bombings, the murder of Theo van Gogh, the London subway attacks, and the French rioting in October and November seem to have prompted at least some Europeans at last to question their once hallowed sense of multiculturalism in which Muslim minorities were not asked to assimilate at home and Islamic terrorists abroad were seen as mere militants or extremists rather than enemies bent on destroying the West.
You can now add to that the attacks on the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Syria and we can plainly see that the safe route, the quiet route, was not working and likely will never work.
But, in all of this, let's not forget this one point:
Whether the Europeans were really on our side in Iraq or not, is not important now. That is the past. The important thing to note is, they certainly appear to be on our side now. In fact, they seem to be taking the lead in the "guts" department, in this cartoon flap. And, they are doing it much more so than the American media or government is willing to do, at this point in time.
And we need that right now. We need each other, we (along with Australia) ARE western civilization and our unity against dangerous islamofascists will ultimately determine whether that civilization will survive, or not. It does not matter how and why the Europeans have awakened (or if they were ever asleep), the important thing to note is, a sleeping giant is now awake and wants the enemies of freedom and liberty to know that they are awake.
And I, for one, am glad.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Steelers Win Fifth
Even though I am probably one of the few people that still watch the Super Bowl for the game itself, and not the commercials, I'd like to say, congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning their fifth Super Bowl.
There is no doubt that they deserved it. They won seven straight to win it all and won every playoff game on the road. They beat the numbers one, two, and three seeds in the AFC; then in the big one, they beat the number one seed of the NFC. They earned it, they are the champs.
Seattle had every opportunity, but they seemed content to shoot themselves in the foot at the most inopportune times. Penalties, dropped passes, passes thrown out of bounds, all killed Seattle's momentum several times duting the course of the game. All in all, I think it was the experience factor. Pittsburgh has been in the playoffs in the last few years, Seattle has not. Take nothing away from the Steelers, but the Seahawks' nervousness showed.
But just so the record is straight, Pittsburgh has traditionally been one of my least favorite teams, the other two that hold that distinction are Dallas and San Francisco. So there is no celebration here. On the other hand, it's going to be hard to feel sorry or shed any tears for the Seahawks, since they made more money in tonight's game, than most people make in a year.
But hey, this year belongs to the Steelers organization. They overcame a shaky midseason (with Roethlisberger's injuries) that could have caused them to tank out and quit. But they didn't. And now, they have the trophy.
For them, the celebration begins. For the other 31 teams, there's always next season. For the stars of the game, there's next week's Pro Bowl. But for me, the NCAA tournament is just around the corner.
There is no doubt that they deserved it. They won seven straight to win it all and won every playoff game on the road. They beat the numbers one, two, and three seeds in the AFC; then in the big one, they beat the number one seed of the NFC. They earned it, they are the champs.
Seattle had every opportunity, but they seemed content to shoot themselves in the foot at the most inopportune times. Penalties, dropped passes, passes thrown out of bounds, all killed Seattle's momentum several times duting the course of the game. All in all, I think it was the experience factor. Pittsburgh has been in the playoffs in the last few years, Seattle has not. Take nothing away from the Steelers, but the Seahawks' nervousness showed.
But just so the record is straight, Pittsburgh has traditionally been one of my least favorite teams, the other two that hold that distinction are Dallas and San Francisco. So there is no celebration here. On the other hand, it's going to be hard to feel sorry or shed any tears for the Seahawks, since they made more money in tonight's game, than most people make in a year.
But hey, this year belongs to the Steelers organization. They overcame a shaky midseason (with Roethlisberger's injuries) that could have caused them to tank out and quit. But they didn't. And now, they have the trophy.
For them, the celebration begins. For the other 31 teams, there's always next season. For the stars of the game, there's next week's Pro Bowl. But for me, the NCAA tournament is just around the corner.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Cartoon Protests Spread To Asia
From the IHT comes this report.
As offended as all of these people may be, there is no turning back now. If any media outlet that has taken this stand and either printed or shown these cartoons, backtracks now, there will be no end to the pressure and attacks on free speech as we know it, today. Not only will Muslims be emboldened to contest each and every criticism leveled at it or any of its followers; any other religion/belief system can and will be able to exert pressure. And, they will do it with the expectation that they will be able to censor, whatever they deem offensive whether it's true or not.
Over at Always On Watch and at Liberty and Culture there is more coverage and thoughts about this situation. (Don't let the size of Jason's post fool you, read the comments for the meat of the debate)
In fact, most of the blogosphere and the MSM there has been much debate about this subject, whether the outlets and blogs have actually published the cartoons, or not. Why? Because no matter how offensive something may seem to a given group, the right to freely express oneself is at stake here. Freedom of speech is the one thing that defines whether a society is truly free, or not. Take that away and you have the equivalent of a Stalinist, Maoist, Fascist, Communist, form of political system that oppresses and strips the people of the pursuits of life, liberty, and prosperity.
Now before I go any further, I want to repost one comment I made on Jason's site, with some additional emphasis in italics:
In short, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Muslims or any other religious group insists on publishing hateful and offensive material about Jews, Christians, or any other religious group, they must expect that at some point others will do the same with their belief system.
Free speech works both ways. We cannot have one group dictating to the others, what they can print, say, and think; all the while saying and doing whatever they want, because somehow their way is far greater and should somehow be elevated above the rest. (SEE: Hypocrisy)
Too many people died for that right, and I will be damned if I let it happen during my lifetime. This is something that should transcend partisan politics and should unite both the left and the right, if only for one brief and shining moment.
Remember, jihad is not just a one-pronged operation. It involves much more than bullets, bombs, and innocent deaths. It also involves propaganda spewed by special interest pressure groups like CAIR and the ISNA, as well.
Here are a few other sites that are in on the fray and are well worth checking out:
Up Pompeii
SuperFrenchie
Mosquewatch
Fore Left
JAKARTA - Hard-line Muslims stormed a building housing the Danish Embassy in Indonesia on Friday and burned the Danish flag as Islamic outrage over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad spread to Asia.
Protests also erupted in Malaysia, where fundamentalist Muslims shouted, "Destroy our enemies!" at a rally outside the Danish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where about 500 Muslims rallied to protest the publication of the cartoons.
"The whole Muslim world is shocked and outraged," Mohiuddin Ahmed, a leader of the hard-line Islamic group Hizbut Tahrir Bangladesh, told supporters at the Dhaka rally.
The Pakistani Parliament unanimously passed a resolution Friday condemning the cartoons and the Pakistani president, General Pervez Musharraf, also expressed outrage, saying their publication could not be justified as freedom of expression.
As offended as all of these people may be, there is no turning back now. If any media outlet that has taken this stand and either printed or shown these cartoons, backtracks now, there will be no end to the pressure and attacks on free speech as we know it, today. Not only will Muslims be emboldened to contest each and every criticism leveled at it or any of its followers; any other religion/belief system can and will be able to exert pressure. And, they will do it with the expectation that they will be able to censor, whatever they deem offensive whether it's true or not.
Over at Always On Watch and at Liberty and Culture there is more coverage and thoughts about this situation. (Don't let the size of Jason's post fool you, read the comments for the meat of the debate)
In fact, most of the blogosphere and the MSM there has been much debate about this subject, whether the outlets and blogs have actually published the cartoons, or not. Why? Because no matter how offensive something may seem to a given group, the right to freely express oneself is at stake here. Freedom of speech is the one thing that defines whether a society is truly free, or not. Take that away and you have the equivalent of a Stalinist, Maoist, Fascist, Communist, form of political system that oppresses and strips the people of the pursuits of life, liberty, and prosperity.
Now before I go any further, I want to repost one comment I made on Jason's site, with some additional emphasis in italics:
I do not condone trying to offend anyone, but the freedom of expression must at any and all costs, be protected.
I seem to remember some kind controversial art display at a museum in NYC, where an image of the virgin Mary had dung all over it. (Or something like that.)
Anyway, there was an outcry for a short while. I am sure that many Catholics as well as many non-Catholic Christians were very much offended. They said their piece about what they thought of it, as was their right. But unless I missed something, no one threatened to bomb the art gallery.
That said, I do not think it is wise to inflame these already rabid dogs, especially at this point in time, just for the hell of it. I do not think it is particularly wise to do it just because you can. But make no mistake, the right to freely express oneself is a right that should never be infringed on, in any way.
If Muslims would do in the case of these cartoons, what many Christians did, when that art display came out; if they would simply ignore it, it would go away much faster. No one, I repeat, no one can offend you without your permission.
How did the art display offend the virgin Mary? It didn't. She's dead and even if she were alive, it would not have hurt much of anything , except her maybe her feelings. How did it hurt me? It didn't. It did not shake my faith, one iota. I'll simply let God judge the matter, as He sees fit.
But what did offend me, was the fact that it was displayed in a gallery that receives government funds. I don't think the government should be in the arts business, anyway. Remember, since Bush became President, the homeless suddenly reappeared after eight years of bliss under Clinton. Couldn't that money used to subsidize "shitty" art, be better used to feed the starving masses that Bush has created?
Bottom line here, Muslims should understand that the bigger stink they make about this, the bigger it will become. The more they attempt to censor, the more we that cherish freedom of speech, will dig in and fight.
I also would admonish Muslims, that "if you really want to stop this kind of stuff, you should set an example and not publish the crap you publish about Christians and Jews. Because it is just as offensive to them, as these cartoons are to you. But you do not police yourselves, so how can you expect the same courtesy here?"
In short, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Muslims or any other religious group insists on publishing hateful and offensive material about Jews, Christians, or any other religious group, they must expect that at some point others will do the same with their belief system.
Free speech works both ways. We cannot have one group dictating to the others, what they can print, say, and think; all the while saying and doing whatever they want, because somehow their way is far greater and should somehow be elevated above the rest. (SEE: Hypocrisy)
Too many people died for that right, and I will be damned if I let it happen during my lifetime. This is something that should transcend partisan politics and should unite both the left and the right, if only for one brief and shining moment.
Remember, jihad is not just a one-pronged operation. It involves much more than bullets, bombs, and innocent deaths. It also involves propaganda spewed by special interest pressure groups like CAIR and the ISNA, as well.
Here are a few other sites that are in on the fray and are well worth checking out:
Up Pompeii
SuperFrenchie
Mosquewatch
Fore Left
Thursday, February 02, 2006
New Blog Added To The PYY Blogroll
I want to take a moment and plug the newest member of the blogroll, A.C.'s Fore Left. I've been reading him for a few weeks and he has a site worth visiting, on a regular basis. You'll get international, national, and even some local issues commentary.
If you like this blog, you will certainly enjoy reading his. Give it a look, I wholly recommend it. (And be sure to tell him, you heard about him, on Roller Derby.)
If you like this blog, you will certainly enjoy reading his. Give it a look, I wholly recommend it. (And be sure to tell him, you heard about him, on Roller Derby.)
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Are France And America Allies Again?
From the Washington Post comes this op-ed piece from David Ignatius. Many times I disagree with Ignatius, but this is a very intriguing and thought provoking essay. I recommend that all of my readers, take a good look at this, chew on it awhile, and see how it tastes.
Here is a teaser:
Whether you read the article or not, let's analyze this a little further:
After the hissy fit Chirac and his ensemble threw when we removed Saddam, it's hard to believe that this is happening. But let's think back a bit, to immediately after 9/11. Remember when the President announced that many nations had agreed to provide the U.S. intelligence, some overtly and some secretly?
Well, I am beginning to suspect that France has been cooperating more than they've let on. We all know that they have been in dire straits on their Arab/Muslim situation for a long time. They had to know it too. They had to know that the mood of that population within their borders, had been simmering and waiting to come to a full roiling boil, for long time.
Maybe they had no real choice but to put on a facade for the record. But off the record, maybe both France and Germany have been secretly working with the Bush administration. Whether or not they really were upset over us killing their cash cow in Iraq, I am not completely sure. But for the rest of the war, they may have been on our side all along.
Once the riots blew up in their faces, maybe they now feel that their cooperation needs to be understood, by the enemies of western civilization. They also might feel that there needs to be a global united front presented to islamofascism and a show of unity with the United States is truly in their best interests.
If this is true, it would appear that I have been overly harsh in my criticism of France. And if that truly were to be the case, then will I have no trouble admitting that I have been wrong.
You see, whatever it takes to defend the free world against oppressive murderous thugs that want to destroy my way of life, I am for it. If France wants to help, I would not be against it, in the least. In fact, I would much rather have France on our side, than to have them on the other side. So if it means letting them pretend to hate us while they are actually helping us, then, so be it.
Here is a teaser:
PARIS -- Once every five or six weeks, a French presidential adviser named Maurice Gourdault-Montagne flies to Washington to meet with his American counterpart, national security adviser Stephen Hadley. They spend several hours coordinating strategy on Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other hot spots, and then the Frenchman flies home. In between trips, the two men talk often on the phone, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Whether you read the article or not, let's analyze this a little further:
After the hissy fit Chirac and his ensemble threw when we removed Saddam, it's hard to believe that this is happening. But let's think back a bit, to immediately after 9/11. Remember when the President announced that many nations had agreed to provide the U.S. intelligence, some overtly and some secretly?
Well, I am beginning to suspect that France has been cooperating more than they've let on. We all know that they have been in dire straits on their Arab/Muslim situation for a long time. They had to know it too. They had to know that the mood of that population within their borders, had been simmering and waiting to come to a full roiling boil, for long time.
Maybe they had no real choice but to put on a facade for the record. But off the record, maybe both France and Germany have been secretly working with the Bush administration. Whether or not they really were upset over us killing their cash cow in Iraq, I am not completely sure. But for the rest of the war, they may have been on our side all along.
Once the riots blew up in their faces, maybe they now feel that their cooperation needs to be understood, by the enemies of western civilization. They also might feel that there needs to be a global united front presented to islamofascism and a show of unity with the United States is truly in their best interests.
If this is true, it would appear that I have been overly harsh in my criticism of France. And if that truly were to be the case, then will I have no trouble admitting that I have been wrong.
You see, whatever it takes to defend the free world against oppressive murderous thugs that want to destroy my way of life, I am for it. If France wants to help, I would not be against it, in the least. In fact, I would much rather have France on our side, than to have them on the other side. So if it means letting them pretend to hate us while they are actually helping us, then, so be it.
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