Really Pissed Off!

We have seen the nadir of American Foreign Policy under the watch of the Bush Administration. The United States stepped up to the plate after WW II and out of the shadow of Isolationism to become the leader of the Free World during the Cold War and beyond. We triumphed over the Soviet Union and became THE only super power left. With that, a considerable amount of responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of the United States. Unfortunately, the shoulders of George W. Bush are not wide enough to carry such a load, and we’ve now become a punch line, if not the laughing stock of the world!

Even before 9/11, this Administration demonstrated its arrogance when it refused to sign the Kyoto Accord in 2001, even though his father, George Herbert Walker Bush signed it in 1992. As the world’s only Super Power, we had an obligation to not only reaffirm it but to be a leader in enforcing it. The Bush Administration told the members that China and India should go first, which they did. That was an orange flag of caution that this Administration had a separate agenda, which we would soon learn…..and regret! It became quite clear that Secretary of State Colin Powell and the State Department was definitely out of the loop. It soon became clear who George W. Bush was listening to, and this country has paid a terrible price!

Looking back over the past seven years, this country has done absolutely nothing in terms of a strategic Foreign Policy, let alone the use of Diplomacy. Teddy Roosevelt said it best when he uttered “Walk softly, but carry a big stick!” It is probably the best piece of advice that any President has given this country. The Bush Administration has operated under “Wear jack boots and shoot at random!” There is no need to go through all of the blunders of this Administration. Powell quickly left, but not soon enough to avoid some of the tarnish given off by this Administration. To top it off, he appointed his former National Security Advisor to replace him! That similar to placing a fox in a hen house!

On Saturday, November 3rd, President Pervez Musharraf has imposed emergency rule in Pakistan, arresting or detaining over 1,000 dissidents, shutting down the Supreme Court and imposing curfews throughout the country. President Musharraf has “set” a new date for elections, sometime before February 15, 2008 and state television has reported that he will step down as Chief of the Army. We’ve been dealing with “the devil you know” in Pakistan since 9/11, and have poured billions into their coffers to help fight the Taliban, as well as Bin Laden and A Queda in the Northern Territories with little to show for it. The President has failed to use diplomacy with Musharraf in terms of their commitment, as well as guaranteeing free elections. Instead, President Bush said:

Is this any way to run a Foreign Policy? Why doesn't Bush just invite him over to his ranch in Crawford, Texas and they can chat over a barbeque........better make that mutton!