In a message dated 9/23/2001 7:13:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
icorb@indigo.ie writes:
<< Like anyone here cares of late, but the opinion of this Europhile
regarding
Bush's speech is WORRIED. It may be a "golden" moment in history, but I
doubt it'll be for the better. His words were much more ominous than
reassuring for someone "on the outside" ie. Europe. >>
IIt's my experience that most Europeans are vitally interested in persuading
the United State's 'powers that be' to do certain things that are beneficial
to them, this is a no-brainer, and seems to be built into human nature, and
nature itself.
But after having lived through the Cold War and seeing Europeans in action, I
would say that the tenacity to 'hang tough' against what minds of the 18th
century, called Tyrannies seems less focused. Americans have hardly any room
to criticize, but we do have a little room, and since our buddies across the
pond rarely, cease to rag on us, I will not hold back either. Perhaps its
because America was evil and stupid enough to hang on to slavery, in the 19th
century, and fought our bloodiest war over it (unwillingly), that we are a
bit more idealistic?
My view of history is that when it was time to force back the nazis,
Europeans at the time were reluctant, and willing to placate Adolph. When it
was time to hang tough against the commies, the Euro's sought work-arounds
there also, looking for financial benefit. Now that the threat of terrorism
in general, and Islamists (radical political/religious Islam) has slain
Americans by the thousands; despite anger at the perpetrators, the support
for America is a kilometer wide, and a millimeter deep.
Here also, work-arounds will be found, and the need to keep the "dialogue"
open. Which means never to upset the Gulf States and keep the oil flowing,
rather then seek out 'ghastly,' alternatives, such as using Heavy Oil
extraction (finally), converting natural gas to gasoline, letting ethanol
crops play a small part, and coal liquefaction and so forth.
But Europeans will never be alone in the 'dialogue' endeavor, not as long as
we have the US State department influencing things. Maybe the State
Department ought to move to Europe, where it can better serve it's clients?
Or perhaps, father east?
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