Comments for Foreign Policy and National Security Are Not the Same Thing »
Posted By populist 1 year, 4 months ago in NewsGranted that the history of US foreign policy in the world has been heavily larded with wars, many of them at America's instigation. It is nonetheless true that foreign policy is much bigger and more far reaching than just what has come to be known as "national security" issues.
In Bush-speak, national security has come to mean having big guns, lots of heavily armed troops, cruise missiles, nuclear weapons, naval armadas and a bully's willingness to use these weapons on a whim, with no thought of consequences.
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dissent1 year, 4 months ago
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fta...... strikes the same chord
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"Thousands of American teachers and Peace Corps volunteers and aid workers do much more to advance America's position in the world and to enhance the nation's security than do hundreds of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of tons of bombs and missiles." -
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rimbaud1 year, 4 months ago
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We haven't had a foreign "policy" in decades: just shoot from the hip expediency. We are like hurt children, often allyng ourselves with the likes of the Shah of Iran, Ngo Dinh Diem, Pol Pot, Augusto Pinochet and Saddam Hussein, just because they were the enemy of our enemy. Watching the hanging of Saddam Hussein, the leaders of the world think "With a friend like the USA, who needs enemies?"
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http://www.ericblumrich.com/thanks.html
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/US_ThirdWorld/US...
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populist1 year, 4 months ago
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At times, it seems like nothing will do it - the people of this country will continue submitting to more wars, more restrictions of liberty, and a worse and worse economy......as long as they've got pretty TV's, and big sporting events, they're all placated.
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But, things that can't go on forever, don'.t And this government absolutely cannot continue spending its way to a financial train wreck - maybe that's what'll get people going??
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populist1 year, 4 months ago
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You make a good point - most people don't have time. They've debased our currency so bad that prices are high enough to the point that 2 people need an income to maintain a household. Keep an economy on the brink - not too bad, and not too good - and a population is going to have a very hard time resisting.
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just a thought I've been having lately...-
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not2needy1 year, 4 months ago
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With the state of our economy and this war that has bankrupted us, people are going to have to slow down a little, do some serious thinking and make educated informed decisions.
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I know that's not always as easy as it sounds. Most people are working 2 jobs just to stay afloat, but it would be in their own best interests to get informed, think and then act, rather than be sold so quickly on soundbites and cliches.-
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rimbaud1 year, 4 months ago
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The arms race of the cold war wasn't so much a race to arms as it was a race to bankruptcy. Fortunately for us, the Soviets won! Now it loks like we are the ones that are winning. How can a handful of terrorists do so much damage to us at so little cost to themselves? I guess they know how to draw us in,eh?
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rimbaud1 year, 4 months ago
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The terrorists are not rich and powerful, like us. They try to get as much mileage as they can from a few dramatic acts of terror (that's what terrorism is). The reason there has not been "another 911" is we are doing a good job, all by ourselves, of extending the "mileage" from the first one. Which of them ever imagined they would be elevated to the number-one feared enemy of the world's greatest military power? By creating a trillion dollar war against them, we have inflated their importance and amplified their effect. You can bet they will attempt another attack once we have stoped bleeding from the last one.
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hyperbola1 year, 4 months ago
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That has been the plan ever since Reagan started the trickle-up effect (40% of americans lost their savings and became net debtors during his administration).
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If you have no economic independence, then you are easy meat for the propagandists who try to distract you with "culture wars" and get you to blame those even worse off than you while the super-rich fleece Americans. It's called yachts for the boys and strict calvinistic poverty for the rest.
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Spadecaller1 year, 4 months ago
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Unfortunately and fortunately, some people learn after they are hit across the head with a two by four. Americans who stand by silently and support or ignore the improper use of our military on behalf of a few profiteers and corporate dictators will reconsider their apathy or misguided support AFTER they lose their house and job.
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populist1 year, 4 months ago
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So true, and that's how it always seems to happen. But if it gets to that point, the house of cards coming down, I'm not sure where that will lead us. Over history economic ruin in a country can lead either to freedom or the rise of a Hitler, Lenin or Mao....
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Personally, in my study of US history, I have yet to see one single "proper" use of the U.S. military....but that's probably best left for another thread...
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Mdiar1 year, 4 months ago
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You know, I think we should consider following the Washington doctrine. Aspects of Truman's had its strengths... particularly the idea that you help countries that need it to create stronger allies, but that can just lead to eventual war. Washington's, on the other hand, is rather straightforward.
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Bush's is just strange to me. Well, Bush Jr.-
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populist1 year, 4 months ago
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I'm not really familiar with the full details of Truman's foreign policy doctrine other than his use of nuclear weapons and the countless deaths of the korean war.
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Personally, I'm not a fan of warmakers, but would be interested to know what you mean on this issue...
But I do strongly agree with your point that we should follow George Washington's policy of peace.-
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Mdiar1 year, 4 months ago
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The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan essentially stated that you help build a country and make it pro-American, therefore you can protect your interests without necessarily having to resort to war. Of course, those were NOT the only aspects of it, but those were the aspects I thought were worthwhile. Essentially, expand soft power as opposed to hard power.
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alakazam1 year, 4 months ago
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Truth, Justice and the American Way. :)
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Those words were once believed in by Many and everyday They strove to make it mean something.
My Grandmother used to kvetch about "Them lettin' Furriners in" I told her once that the day they stopped immigration it was the day we had to tear down the Statue of Liberty. We were friends, but she kinda freaked out. I think she got it. I was proud of her for being Honest enough to look at what the words "American Way" mean and reflect upon the world she lived in a little.
If you haven't already read it I am going to recommend the Akallabeth By Tolkien. It paints a clear picture of what happens to a Nation that becomes Arrogant and Warlike,
Healers and Helpers should Americans be, and The Defenders of the Weak. -
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hyperbola1 year, 4 months ago
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Truman is also responsible for several of the biggest mistakes ever of american government.
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1. Truman started the "national security state" based on government secrecy - look where that has gotten us now.
2. Truman sold out american democracy for zionist financing and votes to win the 1948 presidential election. After the subsequent ethnic cleansing of over 7 million christians and moslems - look where that has gotten us now.
Already by the time of the Kennedy administration it was clear this was a disastrous error and how much worse it is today.
JFK Was Enraged at 'Zionist Control' Effected by Campaign Contributions
... 'As an American citizen he was outraged,' Bartlett recalled, 'to have a Zionist group come to him and say: "We know your campaign is in trouble. We're willing to pay your bills if you'll let us have control of your Middle East policy.'" Kennedy, as a presidential candidate, also resented the crudity with which he'd been approached. 'They wanted control,' he angrily told Bartlett....
... JFK wanted a nuclear-free near east with inspectors at Dimona and a resolution to the Palestinian refugee problem (which would be a policy based on American interests or perhaps even regional or international interests). I don't think his patrons liked those ideas much. they wanted a policy based on Israel's interests. and as they say, when you pay the piper, you call the tune. ...
http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/07/jfk-...
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alakazam1 year, 4 months ago
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Sometimes Men who seek not War have it thrust upon then...Leonidas comes to mind.
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I just bet ya he would rather have been home partying with the wife.
War is the most entangling alliance of all.
President Thomas Jefferson extended Washington's ideas in his March 4, 1801 inaugural address: "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none."
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cowboygrandpa1 year, 4 months ago
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When foreign policy is like work place policy. Nobody wins.
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In the workplace it is all for the employer and who cares about the workers they can be replaced. Corporations are now finding out that this has been foolish from the beginning.
Take a look at the shifting wealth and power base in the world. Yes employees need to produce but they also need to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
I learned from a wise businessman years ago. The best deal is when both parties think they got the best end of the deal.
That is what foreign diplomacy should be like. Threats only need to be used in extremely dire circumstances.
Repeated empty threats and acts of war only increase hostility and protectionism. Truly building a better global community decreases such acts and increases good neighbors. Who watch out for each others interests and wellbeing because it is in their best interest to do so.
Just like an employee who feels secure and productive, will produce better work. Nations who feel included will strive to increase their role in being a part of a respectful global neighbor.-
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Charlson1 year, 4 months ago
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"I learned from a wise businessman years ago. The best deal is when both parties think they got the best end of the deal."
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Good point.
And I believe in order to get get a good deal for both sides there's a method that has become "dirty word" in the Republican vernacular, COMPROMISE, that needs to be used. Each side gets the best deal possible with a little give and take. Sometimes you might not be happy about getting 50% of what you wanted but it sure as hell is better than none. -
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populist1 year, 4 months ago
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Here's Bugliosi in the recent hearings on executive power:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDAFozFn4kU-
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CHAM1 year, 4 months ago
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alakazam and populist. I watched this entire hearing live on C-Span. But I have forgotten the name of the guy who asked for a clearing of the room. This is a segment out of the Dennis Kucinich initiated call for the impeachment of George Bush.
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The Republican defenders of Bush present on the panel , the witnessess for the saving of George Bush are what I call anti-American. Their sole purpose there was to keep a criminal from being impeached.
The witnessess who presented reasons to impeach Bush probably knew that their quest was futile, but they did present plenty of reasons to impeach the most onerous person on earth, George Bush.
But the guy, alakazam, is yes, dirty up to his knees. He is an enabler of all that is wrong with party politics.
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ecotourusa1 year, 4 months ago
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rightfromwrong, Dennis Kucinich keeps the impeachment flame aglow.
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Please go here and sign. He needs many more signatures before September 10th:
http://kucinich.us/
(thank you)
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canadianrancher571 year, 4 months ago
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Good artical, or so I thought .The problem is people have so many things that affect their ability to make decisions that most don't stop to look at anything. We chose people to run the country because they appear to be sucsessful and yet many of them are are just puppets who are marketed to us as are the policies that they promote. the Democratic system that we believe is the best system out there has been hijacked by capitalism. True capitalism cares nothing of people but only about greed and money and as we have seen the people who have been running you country for awhile will ally with any party to achieve the goal.
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I am at a loss for the solution of how the people of your country and mine will regain the power the belongs to the people, for as it stated in the artical about the teachers in China most people are ambassadors of good will not of war or greed.
What I fear for the future of the American people is that the greed of those who control your country will lead to a very violent solution from either within your country ot by the nations of the world who will eventually tire of this game of power and war. The latest show of stupidity is the placement of radar systems in Poland which has beeen done to protect American interests, or is it just to cause a new start to the cold war.-
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CHAM1 year, 4 months ago
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Right Canadian. And you are not the only voice from Canada that is very concerned about the direction of America and Canada. The North American Union is a matter of concern for some I have corresponded with and another concern that I haven't seen much about is the use of U S Forces in Canada as policemen and a reciprocal use of Canadian Army units operating in the United States.
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Of course this is unconstitutional but since when has this Bush Administration let a little obstacle such as the Constitution deter him and his friends from doing something illegal?
There are thousands of things Bush should be impeached for and that also applies to some of his friends and co-criminals.
When, oh when, people, are we going to send the Republican party to history's dust bin? And GWB along with it?
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CHAM1 year, 4 months ago
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ML2007. I agree that Obama is the choice over McCain, but that should only be a first step. The most important thing at the moment is to stop the Neo-Con take over of our country. They are very close to gaining complete control. Their business is dominance. And they sell protection. The old gangster style protection. Sign up and pay or bad things begin to happen to you.
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Their vehicle of operation is mainly the Republican Party. This organization gives them cover all in the name of God and Country. Seems like the Democratic Party is desperately wanting to get on the bandwagon so they can get the major share of that booty.
Neither Party has your or my interests as a priority. But booting one out at least is a start. Once out they should never be let back in. They've had their chance and they have blown it.
We desperately need to develop a viable third option and a forth if necessary. In the meantime if we happen to get a moral and ethical leader, lets hope Obama, then we have to insist that we will not allow an immoral and unethical official to remain in office, and if that official's party tries to protect his malfeasance, we need to send that party to join the Republicans in the never again future.
We have to be more powerful than those who would usurp power. -
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