WHO CARES WHAT EUROPEANS THINK?

Jewish World Review ^ | 3/4/02 | Charles Krauthammer

[bfree]

I know that I could not care less what Europe thinks about what the USA does, either in war or peace. They have contributed little to the world in the last 50 years other than constant criticism and whinning.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...I can't take your comments too seriously since your country was dumb enough to pay Clinton 3 million dollars for 1 speech...

He didn't get paid three million dollars, the payments weren't made by 'our country', and he made more than one speech.

Got that, dumbo?

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..Considering your proximately to China, at least as compared to ours, I could see how you would be worried. Understand, China needs the US, badly. We are their largest single customer and account for over 25% (some estimates are higher) of their exports. We could always buy cheap good from lots of low labor cost countries. Heck, we have several in our own hemisphere that could fill in if our relationship with China goes south. They, on the other hand, would have a hard time replacing 300 million affluent customers. They will bluff, bluster, posture and then ultimately back down..

This paragraph would be quite possibly the most ignorant piece of writing I've ever read on the Free Republic. I honestly thank God that fools like you aren't in charge of US foreign policy.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...in terms of religion, Chistianity started in the Middle East. Europe added the torture and unbounded death. We could have done without that....

Deep analysis there, Mark. Krauthammer would be proud.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...you have stood shoulder to shoulder with Freepers for a long time and I unlike, some of the newer breed understand that even friends don't agree all the time on all subjects. Have a "good-A"!...

Thanks amigo. It is kind of sad that genuine and positive criticism of the WoT or the Patriot Act prompts cries of traitor/liberal/ arablover/kangaroo jockey, now. But you know FR, that too will pass, and the mob will go home.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...actually, Aussie, your own xenophobia and prejudice in regards to America and Americans is what comes through loud and clear on every thread you post to...

It's not 'xenophobia and prejudice' that makes me dispute this Administration's planned foreign policy, it's real concern for friends.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..you kangaroo jockeys has better worry a helluva lot more about the 300 million plus Islamics baring down on your tiny, isolated, empty little outpost of European civilization....

They're not 'baring' down, Reb. And Australia's the same size as the continental US. But most importantly, we don't worry for pleasure like some of you guys do. Hey, I see on latest posts that tireless fighter for liberty and constitutional rights Ron Paul is now questioning the wisdom of an attack on Iraq :

Constitutional questions aside, we have to ask ourselves quite simply whether it serves any national interest to invade Iraq. So often we lose sight of the true purpose of our military, which is to defend our borders against attack. Remember, Iraq has not initiated aggression against us. We, on the other hand, have bombed them, taunted them by flying military jets in their airspace, and starved them with economic sanctions- all for more than a decade. We haven't done these things out of humanitarian concern for Kuwait, we've done them because we want to protect our oil interests.

[MarkWar]

>Deep analysis there, Mark. Krauthammer would be proud.

France, Germany, Britain and more
Make up Europe, named for some Oberon lore.
Now LaBelleDameSansMerci
Says the way that we were, see,
Got its start on the Continent's floor.

The East and the Middle East need not apply
To this tunnel-vision homage to days gone by.
With Christ and the Tao
I won't have a cow
But this limerick zen is my sigh.

Mark W.

[cricket]

Let me repeat myself. . ."When intelligent, or even honest criticism fails -

Well, you have done it again. . .'low IQ neo-cons?'

Down to the insults; still no cigar. . .

[bfree]

It's not 'xenophobia and prejudice' that makes me dispute this Administration's planned foreign policy, it's real concern for friends.

And why should we really care what you think? As the saying goes-with friends like you and Europe, who needs enemies.

[Yougottabekidding]

Amazing how a thread can stray so far from the post, into personal insults... I agree with No One!

[rebelsoldier]

I'm not the one who's worried about Australia's fate with hundreds of millions of Asian Islamic fundamentalists perched on your bow, its knowledgeble, concerned, and informed Aussies that are. The same Aussies that are extremely alarmed about having their firearms confiscated from them and destroyed by the government, leaving them at the mercy of murderers and criminals. Obviously, you aren't one of those Aussies, but rather one of a collection of neo-socialists, usually young and naive gen-xers, that eschew and devalue those freedoms while embracing the suicidal illusion that peace and freedom can be purchased with timidity and non-confrontation just like the clueless Eurosocialists previously referenced. Your land area is irrelevant, but your tiny population isn't. Better start learning Indonesian or perhaps Chinese and also how to bow.

[bluester]

With a little help from our friends... :)

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...well, you have done it again....

Fair point. All I'll say is, it's very frustrating. No-one here can give me any reason why the US is going to war with Iraq again, and when I ask quite logical questions I'm 'anti-US.' The bottom line is there is no reason for attacking Iraq, and that makes me suspect the President's motives. He's a good man, and I trust his judgement, but if it was Clinton about to attack Iraq everyone here would say he was doing it for his poll figures.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...gotta wonder how calm you would be if the terrorists had flown a 757 into a packed Sydney Opera House?...

I've thought about that and I reckon I'd be a lot calmer than many on FR. Matter of fact I think it's time for the President to provide an emotional rudder for the country and say something like, 'we'll never stop grieving and we'll keep hunting the terrorists but it's time for America to move on, and get back to business.' I think the way the US media are churning September 11 for bucks is disgusting.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..and why should we really care what you think?...

You don't have to care what I personally think, but it's crazy to start a war for no good reason, against the wishes of your allies. The idea that America from now on will be constantly making war and installing garrisons around the world needs to have some solid cost and benefit considerations, at least.

[DB]

I'm not defending Byron BUT...

If you condemn Australia based on hiring Clinton for a speech what do you expect the rest of the world to think about "us", America, electing him President twice???? If I were you, I wouldn't go there…

[michaelje]

Not I, says me.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...I'm not the one who's worried about Australia's fate with hundreds of millions of Asian Islamic fundamentalists perched on your bow...

Indonesia, which is in financial meltdown, has more than enough domestic problems of its own, with about four outer provinces already in armed revolt. And they don't have the military capability to project power into those provinces, let alone across to the Australian coast. If they were to commence an armaments program it would be years before they even came up to our level of striking power. Whether it's Iraq or Indonesia you need to put anti-Muslim prejudice to one side and weigh up the realities, Reb.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

DB, please. Australia didn't hire Clinton, most Aussies think he's a total phoney. Matter of fact a friend called me last week to say he'd met Clinton and shook his hand at the IT conference in Adelaide on Wednesday. I asked why he didn't make a citizen's arrest on the grounds of Megan's Law or something. He was brought out for a private seminar because he's a big name who adds a bit of star power and he speaks well, that's all.