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DCHeretic

Listed below are comments made by DCHeretic between Sunday, 24th August 2008 and Tuesday, 8th December 2009.

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The American in Australia 8:55pm on 08 Dec 2009 Nick makes it seem like the US - Australian relationship is a one-way street. Americans in general have a lot of affection for the Aussies and Australian entertainers have made their mark on the US. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Olivia Newton John, Dame Edna, and the late Heath Ledger are beloved by legions of US fans. Australian singer/actress Helen Reddy served as California Parks and Recreation Commissioner for three years. When I ask my friends and family to name the overseas destinations that they dream about, Australia is often at the top of the list. I myself hope to visit in a year or two. America and Australia are bound together by their common cultural heritage, frontier spirit, shared language, and as nations built by immigrants.
China's Olympic venues now 8:14pm on 14 Apr 2009 I would definitely want to see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube if I visited China. They are architectural marvels and beautiful structures in their own right. Most sports complexes are impressive simply due to their size, but there are a few that are noteworthy for their aesthetic appeal. I grew up in California and always got a special thrill when I saw the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
EU considers its response to Obama 2:14pm on 26 Jan 2009 By all means the Europeans should assist with the closure of Guantanamo. European governments were complicit in transporting prisoners to Guantanamo and interrogating the prisoners at the camp.

Guantanamo was necessary, but mismanaged. There is no doubt that many of the prisoners there posed a danger to the West and the people of Afghanistan. However, they should have been tried more quickly and not left in legal limbo.
The Bush Conundrum 2:44pm on 14 Jan 2009 I find fault with Bush because he refused to accept or acknowlege nuance. He wanted to view an incredibly complex world in stark black and white terms. This was his greatest folly, tragically manifested countless times throughout his administration.
American power lives on 11:54pm on 09 Jan 2009 I never did buy into the "demise of America" arguement. The US will co-exist in a multi-polar world, but will also continue to exert tremendous influence in that world.

American supremacy has always been more than arms and dollars. The American success came about largely through its democracy and the free exchange of ideas. States that restrict assembly, freedom of expression, innovation, and travel will not be able to achieve the same level of success as the USA. China and Russia will need major reform and more self-confidence before they can attain the same level of power as the USA. India is a democracy, but it will need to emphatically address inequalities in social status and more seriously tackle the religious tensions that have bedeviled it since independence.

The American success at integrating immigrants is indeed a key factor in its global power. One need not give up customs, languages, and vested interests from the Old Country in order to be an American. America is as much a set of ideas and ideals as it is a physical place. For that reason, there will always be a segment of the American population that cares deeply about events in the world and encourages US engagement in the global theatre.

One thing that many Europeans do not fully appreciate is the political power wielded by immigrant groups. A Hispanic majority America may indeed decide that South America is its "backyard" and that Europe is irrelevant. America is a vibrant, flexible, and evolving country that will continue to be a global power for years to come. Just how that power is expressed will be up to future generations of Americans who will collectively trace their ancestry to every nation on earth.
Georgia crisis tests EU 01:22am on 28 Aug 2008 #72 fairlyopenminded said

"Give it 30 years, when the Hispanic population has expanded, and wonder whether the UN would support the wish of Florida, Texas, California and New Mexico to create a Spanish speaking Union outside of the existing USA."

In 30 years the USA will be a Hispanic majority nation. No need to turn to the UN for anything---the Hispanics will wield their power at the ballot box and in the halls of government. I wonder how that will affect America's relationship with Europe and Asia?

The Hispanics are just as patriotic as other American ethnic groups. I doubt they will will be willing to abrogate the levers of global power when they reach majority status.

For non-American readers, do not underestimate the power of the American immigrant communities. They play a key role in shaping US policy towards Israel, Cuba, and Armenia to name just a few countries. I often wonder how the wave of Russian immigrants that arrived in the 1990s will begin to flex their political power.
Georgia crisis tests EU 10:41pm on 27 Aug 2008 NordicPerson,

I appreciate hearing the other side but I am unconvinced. Before accusing my country of being "warmongering," you would do well to review Russia's long history of aggression against other nations. Russia tried to stab the US and Western allies in the back by blockading Berlin. Even the great post-WWII wars in Korea and Vietnam were caused in large part by Russian funding and support of violent communist insurgencies. South Vietnam was destroyed, but thank goodness South Korea thrives.

If the US wanted to destroy Russia it could easily have done so after WWII when the US was the only nuclear power. There was no attempt to attack Russia then because the US had no interest in attacking Russia.

The US is far from perfect and I have encouraged my fellow Americans to think carefully about US bias towards Israel and our support for corrupt governments in the Middle East. Russians would do well to consider why their neighbors are desperate to join NATO. Why do Russia's European neighbors value an alliance with the USA/Western Europe over good relations with Russia? Clearly they regard Russia as a threat and there is an historic basis for that.

I do not trust Russia and I do not like the current Russian leadership. The US and NATO want to contain a resurgent Russia and that is a good thing.

Sign me,

A Wary American
Georgia crisis tests EU 8:31pm on 27 Aug 2008 In response to #19, Ian Watson's post...

I am no fan of Bush and will be in a celebratory mood when he is out of office, but I do not see how you can blame him for Russian aggression. Bush is the fool who looked into the soul of the steely KGB agent and saw a "friend." Bush is an imbecile who has underestimated Putin every step of the way. Putin has played Bush for the fool that he is and that is a big reason why Russia is so bold.

You express concern for Eastern Europe when it hosts a missile shield, yet Russia has brutalized Eastern Europe for centuries. The missile defense shield can hardly be said to make Eastern Europe less safe. And in the (highly unlikely) event of any conflict with Russia, the UK and France would be automatic targets simply by the existence of their own nuclear arsenals.

The best thing for Europe at this point is to be firm in the face of Russian aggression and to seek energy independence so as not to be victim to Russia's energy blackmail schemes.
Georgia crisis tests EU 8:19pm on 27 Aug 2008 The Russian-Georgian conflict has been simmering for years and did not simply begin on August 8. Russia has violated Georgian territory and airspace repeatedly and is the true provacateur of the conflict.

Russia has a centuries old imperial tradition and that is precisely why the former Soviet republics and satellite states are desperate for protection. They know first hand the oppression of the Russian paw and have every right to seek membership in international security arrangements.

The West is right to confront Russian aggression. The difference between Kosovo and the Georgian territories is that Serbia inflicted Europe's worst ethnic violence since WWII against the Kosovars. Serbian ethnic cleansing took place for years before the West finally intervened. Tellingly, Russia did little to stay the hand of Serbia and opposed the West's intervention to stop genocide. Had Russia taken a more responsible role in former Yugoslavia, then military action against Serbia and partition would not have been necessary.

The West must be resolute. Otherwise, today Georgia, tomorrow Ukraine.
Beijing, over and out - follow that, London! 7:40pm on 24 Aug 2008 Thank you China for an outstanding Olympic Games!

London should not try to compete with Beijing while preparing the 2012 Games. As an authoritarian society, Beijing had certain advantages that London does not, and hopefully never will, have. London is a classy, charming city and should focus on letting its many natural attributes shine through.

And can we please have men's synchronized swimming in 2012??

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