If I remember correctly, Norway did a lot more than simply criticize our war effort in Iraq.
What's wrong with Norway is what's wrong with most of "Old Europe" -- they've fallen in love with their Socialist and Center-Left welfare state. What happens in 40-50 years when the North Sea oil reserves (and revenues) begin to run out? Will they want that strong alliance with America again?
If I may respectfully offer some advice to Norway - look at Canada.
The Canadian Prime Minister and members of his party constantly made insulting remarks about President Bush, and worked to undermine his most important goals in the WOT. And, surprisingly to the Canadian Prime Minister, he found it difficult to command Bush's attention.
But now, the Canadian Prime Minister has an excellent relationship with President Bush.
So what changed?
The Canadian voters threw out the lefties!
Hard to fathom Norwegians being the scourage of the world.
But hey I'll bite, No good Norwegians.
So what? Since the recent Trans-Atlantic clash over Iraq NATO is stone cold death anyhow. The broad public (and its leadership) in "old Europe" does not believe in NATO anymore.
Nevertheless I think that this reaction is a littlebit overexaggerated. Other opponents of the Iraq war do not have to deal with such a offending loss of American goodwill. Even Gerhard Schroeder, who was one of the staunchest opponents of Iraq was invited and visited by G.W.Bush. Maybe because Germany is a more important country to the US? Anyway this kind of policy is not helpful.
Any chance Dubys *genuinely* doesn't have time in the forseeable future??
/sarc off
Where is it written that the President has to meet with every leader who comes to town? If he doesn't want to meet with someone, especially if that country has not been supportive of the War on Terror, that's his prerogative. I guess Norway thinks it's immune to acts of terror on it's soil. The Netherlands and Denmark probably thought the same thing, too, once.
There isn't a clear signal in this entire article.
Yep, there's not enough of it IMHO.
Plain and simple:You're either with us or you're against us!
Hey Jens,
Complete the sentence.
You're either with us or _______ ____ ___ _______.
Too bad that we can't play hard ball with the President of Mexico.
Hey Norway, what have you done for me lately?
Somebody told me the other day that Nato was basically a US operation, and he's right. Europe, fat and comfortable with US protection, climbs out of bed each morning consumed with envy, wondering how to crush the US economically. Kill the golden goose.
Is that aquavit you are drinking?
Perhaps President Bush knew they were going to be serving lutefisk, and there are just some things a President should not have to endure. ;)