I ran, you ran, we all ran from Iran.
Why is it that all these politicians "concerned for our safety" are suddenly acting like Iran is some huge threat to our national security? Do we seriously perceive the Iranians as a big enough threat that we don't want to seem weak in their midst? According to this article, President Bush is yet again on a mission to promote freedom in the Middle East. And yet again, he's calling on the "people of the region" to repudiate Iran's freedom-hating ways.
President Bush says Iran is the world's largest sponsor of terrorism, and a source of instability in the Middle East. VOA White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports in the only speech of his Mideast trip, the president urged the people of the region to reject extremism and embrace freedom.How's this for an idea: let Iran and the rest of the Middle East have the freedom to determine the way they run their own countries! Not that I wouldn't be absolutely thrilled with yet another war in the Middle East. Jesus Christ (irony fully intended)! Why is Manifest Destiny still considered a legitimate form of foreign policy? Haven't we screwed ourselves over in the past enough by trying to force other people into living by our values?
Our country is just that. Ours. No one else's. And you'd better believe I'd be stocking up on ammunition if some other country even joked about trying to impose their system of government on us. Doesn't it only make sense that the Iranians and the rest of the Middle East would feel the same way about their countries? Even if the recent speedboat standoff had been a legitimate act of aggression towards the United States (which I refuse to believe), wouldn't that simply be a testament to how much they don't want us messing with their country? The fact that a few speedboats would threaten a U.S. Naval Destroyer and risk seeing the Gates of Hell, ala Mike Huckabee's America, demonstrates just how committed they are to their sovereignty.
It boggles my mind how our government and many of our people continue to think we have the authority to tell people what's best for them, both inside and outside this country. But especially outside. I mean, it'd be one thing if Iran declared war on us, or started attacking our military (actually attacking, not pestering). But they haven't. And they won't. They would be obliterated, and they know it. Yet despite these very obvious facts, we insist on looking for trouble. America's level of insecurity is on par with the stereotypical 1980s high school jock who refuses to let "his woman" talk to any other man.
You may call me an isolationist, but I legitimately believe that other than trading with countries, we have no obligation on foreign soil unless we are attacked. Hell, I'll even throw in diplomacy. If it serves our interests to see the world at peace (which it does), then yes, we might as well facilitate diplomatic discussions. But that's it. Trade and diplomacy. Military response, never preemption.
In the end, all we're really accomplishing with our current policies is more debt, more hatred abroad, and a resulting political philosophy that makes it easier for the government to destroy liberties here at home. It sickens me that children elsewhere are being born into a world where we are providing the justification for their hatred of America. Get a freaking clue.
3 comments:
Iranian speedboats harassing U.S. ships was a BIG deal and it's fair for the government hawks to go "See! They are threat!" Wars have been started over less. In fact, less than a year ago the Iranian navy took British troops hostage. Not the best example in my opinion.
But let me focus on a different topic - why our Navy is so badass. In America's past, sending stuff on ships was the main way to transport large amounts of goods. However, there were these pesky assholes called pirates. So, America decided to say "fuck you" to the pirates by arming merchant ships or escorting important merchant ships with battleships.
Thus, having these huge battlecruisers patroling waters was a function of protecting sea trade routes (which you say you advocate). Now you could say "trade routes are now secure", but what if our existing Navy is deterring the bastards that would otherwise terrorize(I used that word intentionally ^_^) the seas? Can we really afford to build ships and organize crews, then dismantle, then build, then dismantle...etc? Could these current efforts stabilize the Middle East, thus giving America a stronger trading partner and thus an avenue for economic growth?
(I'm totally playing the devil's advocate)
Hey Matt - Chrissy here.
Not a direct comment, but one I have been thinking about a bit. I am abroad right now and I'm looking forward to returning home to see my friends and family, but the issues of politics and the way the country is headed and the economy and etc etc etc is making me feel I don't want to be a part of the US anymore. Expat for real. Do you ever feel this way? How do you deal with it?
Keep writing dude, I'm enjoying it.
This is a great blog. You will probably like this one too, check it out: http://www.riseofreason.com
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