Thomas L. Friendman’s column, It’s Not Just About Obama, is an
extraordinary explanation of the dilemma the U.S. is in over the Ukraine
affair!
by Charlie Leck
by Charlie Leck
It
would be very difficult to get most unreasonable people (and I am thinking here
of the critters who say they are Tea Partiers and the majority of the very
right wing Republicans) to read a very reasonable and sensible column by Thomas
L. Friedman that pretty well explains why America is in a tough spot when it
comes to the question of a confrontation with Russia over its actions in the
Ukraine.
In
case I’m incorrect, here’s where you right-wingers can find the Friedman
column, It’s Not Just About Obama!
Friedman
has spent some time thinking about this one and this is a brilliant column that
both justly criticizes President Obama and also expresses an understanding of
the predicament the President is in at this particular time in American
history.
“Most presidents make their name in foreign policy by taking
on strong enemies; but most of what threatens global stability today are
crumbling states. Exactly how many can we rescue at one time? I’d love to help
Ukrainian reformers build a functioning democracy, but the reason that is so
daunting a task is because their
own politicians wasted two
decades looting their own country, so the leverage required to foster change —
$30 billion in bailout funds — is now massive.” [Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times]
America
is simply in a predicament at the moment. Our big stick isn’t very big right
now. Most of that can be blamed on the multi-trillions of dollars we spent in
Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade and a half. Even our current
financial recovery is going through a slightly shaking spell right at the
moment. Some of that can be blamed on a far too conservative Republican Party
that is not willing to raise more money to set the ship of state on better
waters. But again, not all the blame can be laid there either.
But,
there is no reason for me to go on and on when Friedman has so precisely
painted the picture in explaining the squeeze that the President is currently
in. He doesn’t at all give the President a free pass on this one and he clearly
explains why some of the blame is in the White House; but, by no means, is
President Obama to take all the blame for this predicament.
The
sad thing is that I know my progressive and moderate friends will read this
Friedman column, but the ones who really need to read it – the more
conservative and even right wing Republicans – are not going to.
Our
political antagonisms in this nation – on both sides, now – are causing us
terrible problems and weakening our image among the world’s nations. This
emboldens nations like the Soviet Union.
If
ever in our history there was an occasion when the parties needed to work
together, it is precisely right now. That may sound like hyperbole, but I don’t
believe it is.
_________________________
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