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News & ArtsTuesday, June 16, 2009
International No Class McCain
Posted by Charles Mudede on Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 7:53 AM
John McCain on how we should respond to the Iranian crisis:
Well, we lead; we condemn the sham, corrupt election. We do what we have done throughout the Cold War and afterwards, we speak up for the people of Tehran and Iran and all the cities all over that country who have been deprived of one of their fundamental rights. We speak out forcefully, and we make sure that the world knows that America leads...Wow. A Cold War warrior for real. But it all comes down to a matter of taste. To speak about leading the world, condemning this and that for the purpose of letting world know "that America leads"—this kind of thing does not rise above the level of poor taste. America must show a little more refinement in international matters.
1
I could not agree more. We should stop being bullys and try being credible. Obama's speech in Cairo is the defining moment in which people saw us as valuable proponents of justice instead of military force. I believe it gave the Iranian people hope that if they voted in a moderate our relations could move forward. McCain is last century.
2
The world will decide which nation if any will lead them. It is not up to America to impose itself on the world.
5
Meh. It isn't our place to tell Iranians what to do, and Iranians are doing it for themselves. Nobody saved us from Bush's second term, and we had to wait through it because we didn't demand something more honest. I say Iranians have the high ground now.
6
What is this obsession in the American psyche with being a "leader"? I guess its that binary worldview. Leader or follower. One doesn't have to be a leader to not be a follower.
9
Good Morning Charles,
I agree with #4. What does this have to do with class and McCain?
He may not have put it eloquently but last time I checked America IS still leading. People still swarm to our country and believe we are the "beacon of light" warts and all. Presumably, like you (and McCain), I side with the protesters. If anyone is a relic of another century it is Ahmadinejad. He is definitely from the 19th century or earlier.
However, I do agree with the notion that America MUST lead is getting old. Obviously, I'm for self-determination and for settling differences diplomatically. But, I do wonder why another country (Bhutan, Zimbabwe? I'm being facetious:) can't be "leader of the free world". Yes, America is on the decline (with Obama or not). But until the playing field is levelled, America will be engaging one way or another.
I agree with #4. What does this have to do with class and McCain?
He may not have put it eloquently but last time I checked America IS still leading. People still swarm to our country and believe we are the "beacon of light" warts and all. Presumably, like you (and McCain), I side with the protesters. If anyone is a relic of another century it is Ahmadinejad. He is definitely from the 19th century or earlier.
However, I do agree with the notion that America MUST lead is getting old. Obviously, I'm for self-determination and for settling differences diplomatically. But, I do wonder why another country (Bhutan, Zimbabwe? I'm being facetious:) can't be "leader of the free world". Yes, America is on the decline (with Obama or not). But until the playing field is levelled, America will be engaging one way or another.
10
Chuck. Please confine your comments to what you know. Boobies! And murderers with boobies. Leave questions of taste to those who have taste.
11
Charles is right. The entire idea of American exceptionalism will be the ruin of all. McCain and his ilk don't get it, but many of them are old men. With luck, their time is almost over.
12
Isn't it ironic that McCain speaks " up for the people of Tehran and Iran and all the cities all over that country who have been deprived of one of their fundamental rights" when it was the Americans that overthrew a democratically elected regime in that country? Is that what Cahrles is referring to?
13
Was the U.S. "speak[ing] up for the people of Tehran and Iran" when we armed Saddam Hussein in the 1980s?
15
McCain's a fool. The mullahs would like nothing more than for the opportunity to paint the protesters as puppets of the Great Satan. Foreign policy is more than just feeling good about yourself.
16
no fool like an old fool. he's a dinosaur, and everyone but the other dinosaurs know it. i think more people pay attention to his daughter at this point, and she's never even held elected office. sad, but inevitable.
17
what wouldve happened with this if mccain had won? its fun to think about. and by fun i mean scary.
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