Dick Chaney came to Vilnius and made a Fulton speech 2 declaring a Cold War 2 with Russia. The dichotomy was very clear and simple – either Russia becomes democratic or it becomes an enemy. That was definitely a shock to everyone. Last time such obnoxiously rude rhetoric we heard twenty five years ago from Ronald Reagan and the addressee was the Soviet Union. Putin was given a very strong signal – America takes freedom and democracy very, very, very seriously. Next day Dick goes to Kazakhstan and every Russian who took his words very seriously did expect to hear Cheney using 4-letter words describing the state of democracy in that country. Instead Cheney was mumbling how happy he was with democracy in Kazakhstan and patted Khan Nazarbayev on the shoulder for moving in the right direction. Next day we are informed that Nazarbayev agreed to join the trans-Kaspian pipe construction.
What do we learn from such verbal maneuvers? First, that America does not really give a damn about freedom and democracy. They are nothing but empty words. When any country does not agree with the US international politics it immediately becomes undemocratic. When any dictatorship does what America wants its democracy status raises to incredible heights. This is a very powerful and meaningful signal. It means that even if Putin gives complete freedom to ORT and RTV, even if he resigns, even if he stops bothering Ukraine and Georgia, he would still be treated as very undemocratic. But the moment he, for example, agrees to punish Iran the US-way, he could immediately double gas prices for the US tiny Eastern European liegemen fearing no political consequences. It only takes some arithmetical calculations: we loose X if we stop building nuclear power stations in Iran and we gain Y if we introduce market prices for the Baltics, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. If X is very close to Y then we have every chance to improve our freedom status and American limitrophes will shut up (or will not be heard by American corporate media, what is the same).
Second, we learn that America is not that strong as it used to be. “Zeus, you are angered. That means you are wrong.” In the 20th century diplomats used to say, “Speak softly but carry a stick in your hand”. Nowadays, as one wise man said, America prefers another saying, “Yell at the top of your lungs and hope that others won’t notice that your stick is broken.”
Third, we learn that America is very myopic. So myopic that winning in some minor internal quarrels means more than loosing global international partners. I don’t talk about allies as in the last three years America alienated all of them (parasites don’t count as allies). Dick definitely gained some points with right-wing Republicans at home for being “hard with Russia”. The fact that the level of anti-Americanism among Russians rose 8% doesn’t bother him at all. Russia is not a democratic country, so Russians will not be given a chance to vote for an anti-American president, won’t they? Iranians voted for an anti-American president although a much more liberal candidate had every chance to win just because Iranians are stupid (or brainwashed). The fact that the US became double hostile towards Iran before the presidential elections doesn’t have anything to do with the outcome.
American political system was based on the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment. Two hundred years ago educated public sincerely believed that power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely. So the system of check and balances was introduced. Nowadays America is the only super power. Its power is absolute and no matter how sympathetic I am towards Americans I do realize that the Founding Fathers were right in the long run. American absolute global power makes America absolutely corrupt in the world where no checks and balances exist for this rich, hypocritical, greedy and war-mongering hulk.
15 comments:
The way I see it, Kremlin gave Cheney a loaded gun and now they are angry because he used it.
I'm sorry Cheney offended Russians with his remarks, but why do you think so poorly of the US in general? Aren't you as a Russian worried about Muslims and Arabs getting Nukes? You know that after Chechnya you are the next most likely target after the US and Israel. That was the real reason so many in the US supported Bush in his wars - because we want to postpone as long as possible the terrible day that one of these nasty terrorist sponsoring countries gets nukes. Actually, I think the US and Russia are natural allies, because the two biggest threats in the world are things we both face- Islamic terrorism and the rise of China.
American absolute global power makes America absolutely corrupt in the world where no checks and balances exist for this rich, hypocritical, greedy and war-mongering hulk.
And of course, Russia always used absolute power - albeit not on a global scale - in such a benign manner! How the US is behaving now (strong words to Putin, oh boo hoo!) is one thing, a Russia with absolute global power does not bear thinking about.
To Anonymous,
It's people like who elected George Bush that make me and most people on earth worry! It's people like George Bush and Cheney who make the world a dangerous place; no less than Sadam or Ben laden - they are all the same!
Russia and the USA will never be "natural" allies; simply because the blood-thirsty Bush Adminstration can not bear the idea of a strong, independent Russia that has its own agenda and interests!
Nuclear Iran is a threat, but bombing Iran will creat threats the world has yet to see!
So "the rise of China" is a one of the two biggest threats to the world? What world is that? you know what? why bother and write and discuss, lets nuke them all and make the world a better place!
Hehaaa, yraa, go on cowboy!!
Dear ZZ,
This is the same guy who posted before. You are extremely foolish and deluded. However bad the US might seem to you, there are other powers in the world that are much, much worse.
And as far as nuking another country, even if it is only the military bases, any american president who actually seriously tried that would quickly be impeached. Look how americans have agonized over the nuking of Japan, and that was after they killed 100s of thousands of our troops and attacked us first. Don't beleive everything you read.
Anonymous,
What a way for a discussion: "Extremely foolish and deluded"; Gosh, I'm glad it's the net; had I been in front of you; you'd have shot me, for sure, once I said I don't agree with you!
You know what? Iran is not Japan; and WW2 is over unless flatheads like Cheney and Bush and Rumsfeld want to start a 3rd one!
I actually don't believe everything I read, as for you, I do doubt that you even read. Have you watched enough Fox News for today? Did they show interesting and shocking things about evil countries with nasty names?
Do you even read what you write? Do you really believe in the crap you wrote?
This is your golden phrase "Don't believe everything you read" that has to be quoted on Fox News and published in details in Wikipidea. Tell that to those who believed in Iraq’s WMD that have never been found; oh wait they must have been smuggled to Syria, No Iran, no no maybe Egypt….Nuke ‘em all!!! Hiii haaaaa
P.S Are you from Texas? : )
Right, and you are such a model of civility. You are the one that does not seem to read what they write. Look at your posts.. I can almost hear the bits of saliva hitting the monitor from your spluttering.
Anyway, I am not from Texas. And yes, Iran is not Japan and we are not in WW2, which is precisely why no one is going to nuke Iran. Thank you for repeating my point. Does that mean you agree with me?
And I never mentioned the Iraqi WMDs. I was referring to a broader point that goes something like this:
1) People like Saddam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden are far more likely to use atomic weapons against the US or Russia (or anyone).
2) Technology plus increasing oil wealth is making nuclear weapons easier to obtain for these nations.
3) Therefore, nations that may obtain nuclear weapons and have historical ties to terrorists and a pattern of aggresion must comply with inspections and prove they are not developing weapons. Maybe Saddam really didn't have any weapons, but plenty of people around the world, and outside the US, thought that at the very least he was behaving suspiciously. And we know he intended to develop them as soon as he could.
Besides, 70% of the Iraqi people think that our invasion was a good thing. That's not exaclty hard to believe when you consider that 20% of the population (Sunnis) was oppressing and murdering everyone else.
But let me ask you, ZZ. If you have all the answers than what should be done to prevent a state like Iran or Iraq from developing nuclear weapons? And what should be done if they use them against the US or russia? I would really like to hear what you would do.
"I can almost hear the bits of saliva hitting the monitor from your spluttering" !!!!
No comment, anonymous! You seem to be such a polite person with such intelligence!
I don’t want to ruin the atmosphere of this blog; and the level of discussion!
You are simply disgusting!
Have a nice day!
P.S still laughing at "Besides, 70% of the Iraqi people think that our invasion was a good thing"
Thank you for that one!
tdHello! Thank you very much for your comments, I truly appreciate each and every word of yours. I guess I should tell you now that I actually wrote the article as a joke, and was mighty suprised that it was published not only in Moscow, but also in Sweden. However, not everyone shares my sense of humor, and I understand now (after a couple of angry letters and conversations) that I did stepp over the line. I hope that you can understand that I am not only a stupid poet, but also a young girl of 20 who spent most of her life acting and reading novels instead of studying World History.
Of course Sweden's behavior in the war was not favourable, even I (тупая писательница) understand that. But I can't make any promises that my future artciles will be any better - I write what I think and feel and know - that's it.
Have a nice day!
@Josefina!
Now this is hilarious; I wish you didn't apologize even!
"I guess I should tell you now that I actually wrote the article as a joke......However, not everyone shares my sense of humor"
Really? How strange! Although it's the kind of humor that most people like: To make fun of an entire nation's feelings and to be as ignorant as ignorance can get and then to post your ignorance for the whole world!!!!
"But I can't make any promises that my future articles will be any better - I write what I think and feel and know - that's it."
Ok, now it's getting worse!I don't think anyone gives a damn about the meaningless pla pla pla that you post on your site; but please keep that for yourself, you know!!! I have very little doubt that your so-called articles will get any better; they have to become articles at first!
Well, You did write something true after all:
" I hope that you can understand that I am not only a stupid poet, but also a young girl of 20 who spent most of her life acting and reading novels instead of studying World History"
I guess everyone who read your Moscow Times article was able to guess that and was giggling ONLY when reading "a poet from Sweden"!
Really, some people better stay in their home countries and never expose their ignorance in other nations; you'd better write in your mother language for those in Sweden who will giggle like you!
Please next time you decide to write, use secret invisible ink!
And next time you decide to joke; say that to yourself or to a fellow Swedish who shares your "sense" of humor and, of course, your ignorance!
It's a pity that debate over serious issues comes down to nothing but name-calling.
I have been following your blog for some time now, in an effort to understand Russia and its people. Lately my understanding has been limited because of what seems to me to be a tone that tends to be overly sarcastic, so much so that I am unable to follow your true line of reasoning.
The piece you wrote comparing freedom of the press to restaurants did not make a whole lot of sense, unless you were trying to say something in a way that would absolve you of any charges of criticizing your government.
This latest piece seems merely like more US bashing; join the crowd, it is easy. You did not state right out, for instance, if you think there is any possibility that Iran really just wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons, and if so, why. I would be interested to know what you think that Russia would have done if it had suffered the type of attack the US did.
As I said, I would like to understand Russian viewpoint. As for mindless America bashing, I can get that anywhere.
The way I see it, Kremlin gave Cheney a loaded gun and now they are angry because he used it.
Yes, after the hunting incident, they should have had the foresight not to trust Dick Cheney around loaded weapons. I hope when Bush comes here to Vienna this summer they do not take a tour of the Glock Factory. Cheney might assassinate Sch?ssel by accident.
This latest piece seems merely like more US bashing; join the crowd, it is easy. You did not state right out, for instance, if you think there is any possibility that Iran really just wants nuclear power, not nuclear weapons, and if so, why. I would be interested to know what you think that Russia would have done if it had suffered the type of attack the US did.
Russia suffers terrorist attacks all the time, with far more total casualties than the US ever had in 200+ years. Crack open a newspaper once in awhile. Google the word "Beslan" or "+Moscow +terrorism" If you think something that happened 4 years ago as an isolated incident justifies this neoconservative, Straussian policy of global ultimatum-making and invasion, ask yourself why thousands more innocent civilians have died in Russia than on September 11th with much different consequences. All this "the rules changed that day," phony melodramatic crap is just a way of getting people to not criticize policies that neoconservatives have been pitching to Washington for 30 years. 11.9.2001 was just the perfect excuse to put them into action. Why do you think Bush is pushing a gay marriage amendment a few days after all these reports about US marines massacreing people in Iraq? Strange coincidence, no? It's just the same old sleight-of-hand routine. Use Sept. 11th to get your social politics up for a vote and declare war, then use your social politics to distract people from the war when it goes badly.
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