Spreading true democracy is a great idea. I'd love to see it happen all across the planet.<br /><br />The problem is that my experience of it over the past 40 or so years is that regardless of whether it's the US or Russia or China or whoever else happens to be using freedom as their reason, they generally end up supporting tinhorn thug dictators. <br /><br />Just like the US, EEC and the rest of the West did with Saddam during his worst period. <br /><br />And Israel did with Hezbollah in its early days when Israel thought it could use Hezbollah. <br /><br />Not to mention places like Saudi Arabia which are an offence to every notion of democracy but which the West supports despite Saudi Arabia's relentless export of and financial support for radical Islamism. It's no coincidence that most of the 9/11 actors were Saudis.<br /><br />I don't remember the West doing anything about Pol Pot, except awarding some prizes to films made about the killing fields. The North Vietnamese were actually the ones who did something about it, but not because of any concern for human rights.<br /><br />I don't remember the West helping the Kurds when they rose up and were slaughtered by Saddam after Gulf War 1 in response to encouraging noises from the West.<br /><br />And so on and so on.<br /><br />Governments don't care. <br /><br />They're playing a different game on different principles (and I use the word 'principles' lightly) to you and me.<br /><br />30 years ago I wanted to fight in my army to defend the people of East Timor from their invasion by Indonesia. The only reason I didn't was that my government at the time had clearly sanctioned the invasion to preserve "stability" in the region. <br /><br />A few years ago we were at risk of war with Indnonesia because my government at the time clumsily tried to, and ultimately did by military force, achieve liberation from Indonesia for the East Timorese. This would not have happened if my government 30 years ago had been committed to the same principles of freedom for the East Timorese.<br /><br />Governments suck.<br /><br />If ordinary people's sentiments were reflected in government actions the world would be a better place.
I don't think Russia and China ever had "freedom" on their minds as a reason for their actions. The US, and others, tried to get things done as expeditiously as possible. The American people have had little stomach for these things. 9-11 changed EVERYTHING.<br /><br />
Bill Clinton was President-enough said.<br /><br />
Again, Bill Clinton was president.<br /><br />
The American people had no stomach for ANY conflict in that region, after the Viet Nam War. Still don't.<br /><br />
We're allot closer to that as a democracy than a dictatorship.<br /><br />People make bad decisions, and guess what? People run governments.
.<br /> the US has a poor history with foriegn policy. seems its all been driven by profits. we supported and kept saddam in power for many years. we caused the slaughter of the Kurds by our withdrawel after a promise of help. wehave suppoerted and held in power the house of Saud for over 60 years. thats why we wont capture old bennie boy ben laden. cause he is a royal prince and to have the infidels capture him will create a war with the sauds, they wont have a choice. wedont want it,they dont want it but it would happen. if we kill him in battle it will be different.<br /> I am thinking the North Koreans are trying to blackmail the US into a food for arms type deal. The chinese have supported North Korea for almost 100 years. the chinese still dont like us much due to our actions during and just after WWII.<br /> but they have had nukes for many years and moderate range delivery systems. what they did not create they got from China.<br /> most americans cant remember what was for dinner last night anymore. much less any history so they get duped again and again. the brits created our israli problem in 45-48. I have asked on this board many times how Isreal became a state and never got a response.<br /> we created Al queda. we trained bin laden and his top men. we armed them for years.<br /> I watched Codi Rice bump her Gums, she either lies or doesnt remember any history. what can I say. . its all there. <br /> this war is about oil and who gets it. terrism is just a tool all sides use it.
