Is This What Friends Are For?
Posted by Ercille Christmas at 2/17/2011 5:32 PM 
Categories: Political
Tags: Egypt Middle East Mubarak Israel Iran Obama
Categories: Political
Tags: Egypt Middle East Mubarak Israel Iran Obama
As an interested observer of things political, I have been avidly keeping up with the actions of the politically powerful – worldwide, especially since September 11, 2001. As I saw what was happening with ally after ally of the US, over the past two or so years, I was reminded of a popular song called, "That's what Friends are for." Normally, such a title means that friends are at your side, loving, defending you – can be counted on. However, in the new political climate in DC, "that's what friends are for," now means that friends are the ones to be denigrated and disrespected, while enemies are given courtesy and respect which they do not even want! Our friends in DC may want to remember that, as long as human beings are running around on this earth, strength and resolve will always be the qualities that enemies respect in enemies.
With each new incident of "friend on friend" calumny, I have become more and more befuddled by the new unspoken policy of "disengagement" with long term allies, in favor of pursuing articulated "common ground" with enemies, enemies who are having a gut laugh, not just a chuckle, at the policies of the seat of power in the US. Those enemies are probably asking themselves – "What else do we have to do to convince these suckers that we mean to kill them? Do we have to blow up their citizens?" No, you don't. That has been done – repeatedly. Try making nuclear weapons? That's right. You are trying to do that.
The new "kinder, gentler" leader, who replaced the "cowboy" was going to make everyone love him and by extension the US, by apologizing for imagined past, present and future US wrongdoing. You attacked us/US in the past? We defended ourselves? Sorry. We should not have defended ourselves if it means that we hurt you. There will be no more of that. Heck, new rules of engagement were written for Afghanistan. Sure, US troop casualties tripled and deaths doubled. But, those troops are big boys and girls. They knew the risks going in.
The US-UK relationship is becoming rather complicated. According to this article, in order to get Russia to sign the START Treaty, which is already very favorable to Russia, the US shared UK's nuclear secrets with Russia? Is that what friends are for? The UK should have been smart enough to see the signs when the Queen was given that IPod of "Obama's greatest hits," instead of the normal valuable keepsake, and when the bust of Sir Winston Churchill was returned to England, where we are at least certain that he was born. There is some comfort in that Sir Winston's bust was not shuffled through the back door of the People's House, as was the Dalai Lama. I guess it really does not pay to have a "special relationship" with the US, at least not with this current ruling class.
Israel is certainly learning that lesson. It is no secret that Israel owes its existence in large measure to the US. It can even be claimed that almost, as with Britain, there is/used to be a "special relationship." Unlike many a "friend," Israel over the years has not stood by waiting for the US to blow its nose for it. It is a really proactive nation, stumbling mainly when it has allowed certain US administrations to push it into unwise decisions, usually in the name of "peace." For whatever reason, the name "Oslo" just popped into my mind. In the quest for peace, $150 million is the amount in additional funds that the US pledged to give to the Palestinian Authority, just this past November 2010. Yet, in that same month of November 2010, Arab Muslims were cynical about the intentions of the same US president who began his term by his off-handed treatment of Israel and his fellow Americans – those whom he labeled "divisive and arrogant." I guess $150 million is paltry, and does not buy a lot of friends in the Middle East.
According to this article, Hosni Mubarak did not have much good to say about the US. The following sentences summarize the thinking of Mr. Mubarak:
"He gave me a lesson in democracy and said: 'We see the democracy the United States spearheaded in Iran and with Hamas, in Gaza, and that's the fate of the Middle East,'" Ben-Eliezer said.
The result will be extremism and radical Islam,'" he quoted Mubarak as saying.
I have not heard Mr. Mubarak deny saying this. From latest reports, Mr. Mubarak is becoming acquainted with the process of dying. "It was a humiliating end" of a dictator, summed up this article. Andrew C. McCarthy is advising on the possible future of Egypt. It is not a pretty picture of the Middle Eastern type of "liberty."
I have an allergy to dictatorships and dictators, so I am not mourning the fall of Mr. Mubarak. My purely selfish interest is in what now happens to the relationship between the US and Egypt, if a "rabid, American-hating" regime takes over in Egypt. Mr. Mubarak came to his "humiliating end," alternately poked and supported by the US. However, this US quest for "democracy" in the Middle East, is surprisingly, missing in inaction when it comes to Iran? I am not impressed by the few expressions of protest from the US administration.
This firsthand account of Afghan captivity gave me chills, from the opening paragraph:
On December 21, 1961, when I returned from Afghanistan, I kissed the ground at New York City's Idlewild Airport. I weighed 90 pounds and had hepatitis. Although I would soon become active in the American civil rights, anti-Vietnam war, and feminist movements, what I had learned in Kabul rendered me immune to the Third World romanticism that infected so many American radicals. As a young bride in Afghanistan, I was an eyewitness to just how badly women are treated in the Muslim world. I was mistreated, too, but I survived. My "Western" feminism was forged in that most beautiful and treacherous of countries.
Mark Steyn summed up the new US vis-à-vis its role as friendly foe and fair weather friend:
For the last three weeks, the superpower has sent the consistent message to the world that (as Bernard Lewis feared some years ago) America is harmless as an enemy and treacherous as a friend.
Even if I wanted to assume the role of a lawyer and submit a "friend of the court" brief, in the court of public opinion, in an attempt to dispute the case laid out against this recently conflicted and confounding US, I have no plausible defense. As a matter of fact, the leadership of America is not doing so well in the kin department either. "We the people" have been given our full measure of animosity and ill will. We can empathize with those friends who are finding out "that's what friends are for" – to be used and abused. We feel their pain.
Rick is one citizen who is not standing by and taking lightly the financial mistreatment of the US. He fired off the following missive to his US Rep:
We have a few pressing problems that need to be discussed. I know that you are aware of them but, I am compelled to comment on them.
Let's begin with current events. What is going on at GM and Chrysler? They are passing out "bonuses" while they still owe the American People Billions of Dollars? There is something terribly wrong and needs to be corrected immediately. Handing over massive amounts of ownership to the Unions? If I ran my business that way I'd be on the ropes. Maybe the Union should be told to take a hike…there are millions of unemployed that would die to have such jobs.
The President's budget proposal…what a joke. He remains out of touch with America and this is just a front to incorporate his failed tax increases of 2010. We cannot move America forward by taxing us into submission. America is NOT a welfare state and Washington needs to be reminded of this daily. We don't want welfare, we want a chance.
Budget cuts are a must…even the tough ones, the entitlements. American s are ready for cuts, we know that times are going to be difficult during the recovery. Most Americans know that we cannot continue with social welfare funded by taxes.
Charity begins at home, not in Washington. Funding for these programs is not only foolish, but NOT mandated in the United States Constitution. I receive Social Security; I am not talking through my hat. I know I am vulnerable to cuts. My wife also receives Medicare; I know she is also vulnerable to cuts. We know the decisions are tough. But, they must be made if America is to survive.
Defunding of "Obama Care" is a must. This piece of legislation should be repealed totally. Not "rebuilt, adjusted or tweaked", but done away with 110%. There is no mandate for this or are there people dying in the streets as Obama wishes us to believe. Lacking full repeal, defunding is the next best option.
The Tax Code needs to be scrapped and replaced. The ONLY working option is the Fair Tax. Take the time to do the research yourself. Look and Learn about it. Not only does it create a fair and level playing field; it reduces the size of Government, will increase revenues and lets all Americans share the load. Persons below the Poverty Level are addressed and fairly treated and not forgotten about. Take the time to educate YOURSELF on the Fair Tax and not just listen to those who have a vested interest in maintaining the current system.
We Americans are watching things very closely. We want the debt, jobs and economy addressed. We know things are NOT going to be easy at first. We know this. Listen to our suggestions and input. Continue your Conservative course and know we will support you as you take the hard road and make the hard decisions.
God Bless,
Rick and Pat
Tyler, Texas
This wannbe defense lawyer for the US ruling class is shuttering her office, before it was even opened. Defense rests, will not file a demurrer. But, this is still America. It is going to take a lot more than either bumbling or deliberate acts to bring it down. That I can believe in!
With each new incident of "friend on friend" calumny, I have become more and more befuddled by the new unspoken policy of "disengagement" with long term allies, in favor of pursuing articulated "common ground" with enemies, enemies who are having a gut laugh, not just a chuckle, at the policies of the seat of power in the US. Those enemies are probably asking themselves – "What else do we have to do to convince these suckers that we mean to kill them? Do we have to blow up their citizens?" No, you don't. That has been done – repeatedly. Try making nuclear weapons? That's right. You are trying to do that.
The new "kinder, gentler" leader, who replaced the "cowboy" was going to make everyone love him and by extension the US, by apologizing for imagined past, present and future US wrongdoing. You attacked us/US in the past? We defended ourselves? Sorry. We should not have defended ourselves if it means that we hurt you. There will be no more of that. Heck, new rules of engagement were written for Afghanistan. Sure, US troop casualties tripled and deaths doubled. But, those troops are big boys and girls. They knew the risks going in.
The US-UK relationship is becoming rather complicated. According to this article, in order to get Russia to sign the START Treaty, which is already very favorable to Russia, the US shared UK's nuclear secrets with Russia? Is that what friends are for? The UK should have been smart enough to see the signs when the Queen was given that IPod of "Obama's greatest hits," instead of the normal valuable keepsake, and when the bust of Sir Winston Churchill was returned to England, where we are at least certain that he was born. There is some comfort in that Sir Winston's bust was not shuffled through the back door of the People's House, as was the Dalai Lama. I guess it really does not pay to have a "special relationship" with the US, at least not with this current ruling class.
Israel is certainly learning that lesson. It is no secret that Israel owes its existence in large measure to the US. It can even be claimed that almost, as with Britain, there is/used to be a "special relationship." Unlike many a "friend," Israel over the years has not stood by waiting for the US to blow its nose for it. It is a really proactive nation, stumbling mainly when it has allowed certain US administrations to push it into unwise decisions, usually in the name of "peace." For whatever reason, the name "Oslo" just popped into my mind. In the quest for peace, $150 million is the amount in additional funds that the US pledged to give to the Palestinian Authority, just this past November 2010. Yet, in that same month of November 2010, Arab Muslims were cynical about the intentions of the same US president who began his term by his off-handed treatment of Israel and his fellow Americans – those whom he labeled "divisive and arrogant." I guess $150 million is paltry, and does not buy a lot of friends in the Middle East.
According to this article, Hosni Mubarak did not have much good to say about the US. The following sentences summarize the thinking of Mr. Mubarak:
"He gave me a lesson in democracy and said: 'We see the democracy the United States spearheaded in Iran and with Hamas, in Gaza, and that's the fate of the Middle East,'" Ben-Eliezer said.
The result will be extremism and radical Islam,'" he quoted Mubarak as saying.
I have not heard Mr. Mubarak deny saying this. From latest reports, Mr. Mubarak is becoming acquainted with the process of dying. "It was a humiliating end" of a dictator, summed up this article. Andrew C. McCarthy is advising on the possible future of Egypt. It is not a pretty picture of the Middle Eastern type of "liberty."
I have an allergy to dictatorships and dictators, so I am not mourning the fall of Mr. Mubarak. My purely selfish interest is in what now happens to the relationship between the US and Egypt, if a "rabid, American-hating" regime takes over in Egypt. Mr. Mubarak came to his "humiliating end," alternately poked and supported by the US. However, this US quest for "democracy" in the Middle East, is surprisingly, missing in inaction when it comes to Iran? I am not impressed by the few expressions of protest from the US administration.
This firsthand account of Afghan captivity gave me chills, from the opening paragraph:
On December 21, 1961, when I returned from Afghanistan, I kissed the ground at New York City's Idlewild Airport. I weighed 90 pounds and had hepatitis. Although I would soon become active in the American civil rights, anti-Vietnam war, and feminist movements, what I had learned in Kabul rendered me immune to the Third World romanticism that infected so many American radicals. As a young bride in Afghanistan, I was an eyewitness to just how badly women are treated in the Muslim world. I was mistreated, too, but I survived. My "Western" feminism was forged in that most beautiful and treacherous of countries.
Mark Steyn summed up the new US vis-à-vis its role as friendly foe and fair weather friend:
For the last three weeks, the superpower has sent the consistent message to the world that (as Bernard Lewis feared some years ago) America is harmless as an enemy and treacherous as a friend.
Even if I wanted to assume the role of a lawyer and submit a "friend of the court" brief, in the court of public opinion, in an attempt to dispute the case laid out against this recently conflicted and confounding US, I have no plausible defense. As a matter of fact, the leadership of America is not doing so well in the kin department either. "We the people" have been given our full measure of animosity and ill will. We can empathize with those friends who are finding out "that's what friends are for" – to be used and abused. We feel their pain.
Rick is one citizen who is not standing by and taking lightly the financial mistreatment of the US. He fired off the following missive to his US Rep:
We have a few pressing problems that need to be discussed. I know that you are aware of them but, I am compelled to comment on them.
Let's begin with current events. What is going on at GM and Chrysler? They are passing out "bonuses" while they still owe the American People Billions of Dollars? There is something terribly wrong and needs to be corrected immediately. Handing over massive amounts of ownership to the Unions? If I ran my business that way I'd be on the ropes. Maybe the Union should be told to take a hike…there are millions of unemployed that would die to have such jobs.
The President's budget proposal…what a joke. He remains out of touch with America and this is just a front to incorporate his failed tax increases of 2010. We cannot move America forward by taxing us into submission. America is NOT a welfare state and Washington needs to be reminded of this daily. We don't want welfare, we want a chance.
Budget cuts are a must…even the tough ones, the entitlements. American s are ready for cuts, we know that times are going to be difficult during the recovery. Most Americans know that we cannot continue with social welfare funded by taxes.
Charity begins at home, not in Washington. Funding for these programs is not only foolish, but NOT mandated in the United States Constitution. I receive Social Security; I am not talking through my hat. I know I am vulnerable to cuts. My wife also receives Medicare; I know she is also vulnerable to cuts. We know the decisions are tough. But, they must be made if America is to survive.
Defunding of "Obama Care" is a must. This piece of legislation should be repealed totally. Not "rebuilt, adjusted or tweaked", but done away with 110%. There is no mandate for this or are there people dying in the streets as Obama wishes us to believe. Lacking full repeal, defunding is the next best option.
The Tax Code needs to be scrapped and replaced. The ONLY working option is the Fair Tax. Take the time to do the research yourself. Look and Learn about it. Not only does it create a fair and level playing field; it reduces the size of Government, will increase revenues and lets all Americans share the load. Persons below the Poverty Level are addressed and fairly treated and not forgotten about. Take the time to educate YOURSELF on the Fair Tax and not just listen to those who have a vested interest in maintaining the current system.
We Americans are watching things very closely. We want the debt, jobs and economy addressed. We know things are NOT going to be easy at first. We know this. Listen to our suggestions and input. Continue your Conservative course and know we will support you as you take the hard road and make the hard decisions.
God Bless,
Rick and Pat
Tyler, Texas
This wannbe defense lawyer for the US ruling class is shuttering her office, before it was even opened. Defense rests, will not file a demurrer. But, this is still America. It is going to take a lot more than either bumbling or deliberate acts to bring it down. That I can believe in!
Comments