East vs. West: Anger

[mic692mb]

Hi Guys,
LEt me add my two cents worth. I am an American, a Vietnam veteran, and speak Russian (along with Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese). You must keep in mind that the oceans seperated America from the all the wars and strife that went on in Europe and Asia for most of the first two centuries of America's history. Technology rendered the oceans no longer a barrier, and America's innocence ended abruptly on December 7, 1941. One also has to remember that after World War II, the people of this nation gave freely of themselves to help rebuild a shattered Japan, financed the Martial plan to rebuild Europe (France and Britain wer victorious but broke) and has continued to give of itself to countries all over the world. I was one of a contingent of US Vietnam veterans who helped our Soviet Afghanistan counterparts deal with the same trauma we dealt with, and it made me realize how much the same we are, more sameness than different. America has its faults to be sure, and you have correctly pointed out some of them, but remember, England was the culture from whence we came. Much of what shaped America was brought here to the thirteen colonies. We have slowly taken a more worldy view of things, however I do not approve of Bill Clinton's war against Yugoslavia, but I also do not approve of the European fascination for genocide. Clearly, the Balkans were not a vital American interest and if the US had said "NO" then Europe would have to stand on its own two feet and do what was right. Chalk up another "misteak" for Uncle Sam. Yet it is the hard earned dollars of Americans that is helping to rebuild, if indeed the Serbs and Kosovars who hate each other so violently will allow it. The United States of America - victor in the cold war - simply cannot prevent two peoples from killing each other in remote places if they choose to do so. We have not yet learned of the limitations of being a nuclear superpower.

One last item. As a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, I can tell you that we always held our deadliest enemies in high regard and gave them the respect they deserved for their dedication to service and assumed it was just as sincere as our own. I learned this in a personal way dealing with Soviet veterans, and in dealing with former North Vietnamese Army officers who also consider me an "honorable former foe." Now my heart goes out to 118 brave crewman trapped on the ocean floor, and to their families. Those of us who have served know the hearts of others who have served, even if they are or were "the enemy." In closing, I can truly say no country in history ever treated its conqered foes with as much dignity and respect as has the United States. Just ask Japan and Germany. In this century there have been two periods where the US had the ability to dominate the world. In 1945 we had nuclear weapons and no one else had. In 2000 the US is again the only nuclear superpower, but again we stand down militarily. How many other countries, poised at the edge of such hegemony have also backed away from it as has the United States? How many countries have sent their young men to die on foreign soil to save another country from invasion? Over all I am proud of my country and of being an American. And in America I can disapprove of my goverment and its policies freely. Your constructive and rational comments and replies are welcome.


Michael B

[Dr_Woland]

dorogaya Evelyn! privetik, sestrenka!

>> in addition, a high NATO official was quoted on the radio saying "they needed to take a bombing, so we made sure they got one". <<

aaaaagh :-((

>> everyone knows and recognizes the inhumanity of the situation, and the Russian govt is getting slapped on both cheeks 4 it. NATO, on the other hand, still manages come out as the good guys, at least for those Westerners who only believe what they like to hear <<

a great summation of the way I feel about things. People will, ultimately, believe what they are told to believe by their media.

The thing I find most laughable about Kosovo, is that they needed to "get" a "Communist" - so they got Milosevic!! Now, let's remember... Milosevic was the guy who DISBANDED the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, because he could see that the future did not lay in that direction. Now, I don't especially like him nonetheless, but to brand the guy a Communist, is just phenomenally ignorant and stupid :-(

I'm afraid there are people in NATO (who seem to live mostly in America, but there are some in Spain, and UK, and Germany too) who think that it is morally acceptable, even DESIRABLE, to bomb people with whom you disagree politically. Let's remember this is the same NATO who bombed Montenegro because it was "close enough to Serbia", and the same USA who bombed an innocent country after Osama bin-Laden attacked its military bases - then refused to apologise for attacking innocent civilians in a different country :-(

Dr W.

[Dr_Woland]

hi michael

>> You must keep in mind that the oceans seperated America from the all the wars and strife that went on in Europe and Asia for most of the first two centuries of America's history <<

how could we forget it? It's the cornerstone of American military foreign policy - we are far enough away that no-one can get us, no matter what the hell we do to anyone.

>> Yet it is the hard earned dollars of Americans that is helping to rebuild <<

Not completely true - the USA will not give a cent to Serbia, despite bombing it to pieces. Bill Clinton rode in looking for bad guys, he decided who the bad guys were going to be, he put white hats on the others and helped them, and he still thinks the other guys are bad guys, and curses them to hell. For a supposed liberal, he's one hell of an pig-ignorant redneck. But let's be honest - he started the war to cover-over his sexual indiscretions. "Get those damn commies".

>> In 2000 the US is again the only nuclear superpower, but again we stand down militarily. How many other countries, poised at the edge of such hegemony have also backed away from it as has the United States? <<

I would disagree with you 100%. The USA has the cultural and economic hegemony ALREADY. Every so often, Caesar has to show whom he favours (Kosova) and whom he disfavours (Serbia), and the world looks on whilst the USA fights a war IT STARTED ITSELF TO DEMONSTRATE ITS MILITARY MIGHT. (see above, I'm sorry Michael, but NATO started that war when peace was on the table, and it was Bill Clinton and Madeleine Allbright who were behind that deal).

Kosova sent-out a message to the rest of the world. It said "cross the President of the USA, and this will happen to you". But being a coward, Clinton picked the most puny country he could find.

And then he sits down to lunch with the Chinese Premier, all smiles :-) How nice, eh??

In one of the Russian political-commentary magazines during Kosova, there was a cartoon. Gadaffi and Hussein were seen running to the air-raid shelters, and one is saying to the other: "Take cover!! The President of the USA is having a blow-job!".

It would be funny, if it wasn't so true.

Dr W.