When Guiliani told Rep Ron Paul that he should apologize for his statement that suggests “we were attacked because of our excesses of engagement with the rest of the world” shows a total lack of understanding. To Guiliani, it was political fodder. How dare anyone suggest that this nation is not acting in the world’s best interests 100% of the time? Rudy flashed his red, white and blue anger at Paul and it was totally uncalled for. Earlier in his life, I can envision Guiliani grabbing Paul by the lapels and telling him that they should just “take this outside”. When it comes to testosterone, these Republican candidates have it. Their entire demeanor, except for Paul, is “my way or the highway”. We’ve had six years of that kind of crap, we don’t need more of it.
I agree with Ron Paul. We HAVE had excesses of engagement with the rest of the world. We support dictatorial regimes while telling the American people we are supporting democracy. How many coups have been meticulously planned in Langley, and all the while our government acts surprised by “these sudden turn of events”. Meanwhile, those Americans that aren’t ignorant of the actions of our government turn a blind eye to what has transpired. We make veiled threats to other nation states that don’t conform to our view of how the world should be. We support regimes that brutalize their people. Israel seems to have “Carte Blanche” to do what as it pleases around the world, even to the point where Israeli interests conflict with our own.
The other candidate that has ruffled some feathers, Sen. Mike Gravel, states that the Military Industrial Complex is manipulating us. That too brought snide remarks by pundits and other candidates, even when most Americans that pay attention to what’s happening around us really couldn’t agree more. The Defense Industries are just about the last bastion of industrial might that hasn’t been outsourced overseas. Textile mills, steel mills, electronics and so many more industries have been moved overseas where the cost of labor is cheaper. To some politicians this is just fine, as long as Raytheon, Lockheed, Northrop/Grumman, General Dynamics, Honeywell and the other defense industries stay here. Who cares about manufacturing clothes, steel and electronic devices as long as we can manufacture the implements of war? War and the threat of war, insurrection and nationalism is the fuel that drives our economy. How dare Senator Gravel talk ill of the goose that lays those profitable “golden eggs” carried under the wings of F-16’s.
Senator Mike Gravel and Representative Ron Paul are two people that won’t go along to get along. Don’t they realize our entire economy is now based on conflict? Do they want to just stop all conflict in the world? Who will buy our weapons? Who will provide the “trickle” in the trickle down? These two men would probably support constructive engagement if given the chance. That would leave nations talking instead of shooting. There just isn’t any profit in talking. What’s next? I don’t know, all I know is that I don’t make this stuff up.