I want fundamental change in 2008
The best thing to happen this year will happen towards the end of it. George W Bush will finally pull a pension and fuck the hell off.
During his campaign for re-election, I vowed I wouldn't bring children into a world which would allow him to hold office twice, but back then I couldn't imagine that conservative America would consider a woman president all that seriously, let alone a youthful and charitable black democrat with a mind of his own.
So, apparently there are rays of light shining through this eight-year nuclear winter we've nicknamed 'dubya'. As we stand looking over the devastation, beaten and bloody, the hollywood disaster movie cliché comes to mind.
We shall rebuild, mankind will prevail.
I guess we'll see how long it takes for the USA to resume resembling the values they espouse and would ascribe to others.
There are still many Americans who think the rest of the world should mind its own business and stop criticising US politics, despite the vast number of American troops currently outside US territories. These are the same people who are fond of referring to their president as 'the leader of the free world'.
Well, as a citizen of that free world, I'm inclined to think that we're so pissy because unlike you, we don't get a vote. The US world leadership isn't a democratically elected one, as clearly US citizens are not an adequate representation of global values.
Give the rest of us even 1% of a US vote and we'll do a much better job of picking the leader of the free world than you've done.
With that in mind, and partly inspired by a post on Wally's site, I have put together a wishlist for our new leaders.
Live as you would have us live.
We like American values, like justice, fairness, freedom and all that stuff about huddled masses represented by the Statue of Liberty. How about you start behaving like these are your values sometime soon. If you want us to believe that you're doing good in the world, then at least respect the same values you're prescribing to others.
Please, for fuck's sake stop pretending you're the only nation on earth to have such values, or that you're the best available example of them.
Stop ignoring or subverting your constitution and abolish concentration camps like Guantanamo which are only legal because they're not technically on US soil. Convenient little caveats which allow you to piss on your own values make it impossible for us to respect you.
Reel in the Patriot act. It's unconstitutional and does nothing to convince us that you're sewing freedom. Subjugating your own citizens to a very close facsimile of martial law is not the best way to convey your message of good will. Why should anyone trust you, when you're so easily inclined to treat your own citizens like second-class crap?
If you can't stop policing the world, then at least do it properly.
Being the world's superhero is a romantic notion, but not an achievable one -- especially given that not everyone shares your vision of the perfect society. It would be better if you didn't try to police the globe, but if you absolutely can't stop being Evangelical Christian missionaries then at least make yourselves accountable for your actions.
Sign the relevant UN accords allowing your leaders to be tried for war crimes. If you'd done that we wouldn't be in this mess, and Bush would be in the Hague. Police without accountability are sanctioned criminals, and an invasion not approved by the UN is an illegal act of war. Tsk tsk.
If your tendency is to complain that the UN is ineffectual, then be a superhero and make it effective by giving it more power -- even over yourselves.
Cease this idiocy called 'proactive foreign policy'. You make movies like the Minority Report which ridicule the concept of punishment for a crime that has not yet occured, yet you're willing to lay down many thousands of lives in the name of proactive regime change... regimes you've often been instrumental in installing in the first place. It's wrong, and the economic benefit isn't worth it, stop being bullies.
Please recognise that nowhere in the world has change happened without revolution -- not even in your country.
Commit to the cost of your public relations. It's hard to believe that your motives for war are altruistic when the cost of bullets is more significant than the deed. If you've decided not to keep to yourselves, then do the right thing by installing the society desired by those you've 'liberated'. Are you really sewing freedom, or are you conquering under the guise of altruism?
Know that the time for humble retreat passes the minute you trample a nation's sovreignty. At that point you have to commit to doing all that nice stuff you promised, not just what'll get you an agreeable government and bargain oil contracts. I know its a big ask, but maybe that'll make you think twice about sticking your nose in next time.
Help those who really need it.
Since you're not going to mind your own business then lets agree that Iraq was a mistake, but Afghanistan wasn't. There are lots of countries that need your help if you're so willing to give it. Altruism is about there being nothing in it for you, apart from the gratitude of those you've helped.
The more you beat your chests about how you've liberated the Iraqis, the more I think about what you didn't do in Somalia (amongst other places). If you 'liberated' people based on their standard of living your position would be far more defensible. Unfortunately, that clearly isn't the formula being employed. So how exactly are you prioritising the 'help' you give, or are you really just looking to help yourselves to a bargain on natural resources?
Where's the roadmap for global regime change, sorted by human rights violations and poverty? Where is this to-do list of global houskeeping? Why, if you're such believers in freedom and human rights, would you offer to remove North Korea from the 'Axis of Evil' if they dismantled their nuclear program?
Can nukes be traded for human rights? Does having them keep you from setting up a McDonalds in Pyongyang? If so, then why is it such a shock that everyone wants them?
It's not enough to just renounce these things or blame republican voters. That idiot John Mayer has the wrong idea. The longer you wait for the world to change, the more normal this lunacy becomes. Action and accountability are required, and I hope we see some of that from now on. It really boils my noodle to see such a big proportion of Americans understanding and acknowledging the unspeakable horror of their government's actions without then insisting that they be punished for it.
American citizens just resigning themselves to inaction and feeling like hostages to their own government is a very serious warning to those who think such a force offers freedom.
The world needs to see evidence that American society is indeed worth disseminating. A good way for Americans to show us that would be to listen to our grievances and keep just a couple of them in mind when heading to the polling booths. If that's too much to ask, we'll understand, but then at least keep your dogs from pissing on our lawns.
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No, even electing Obama won’t get you off the hook, because I’m not convinced that if it were allowed, you wouldn’t have elected Bush a third time.
Come on, Milorad. We DID have a chance to elect Bush a third time. We may still.
Governor of Florida is brother Jeb Bush. He presided over Bush’s critical 2000 win over Al Gore (remember hanging chads?). He’s a conservative in favour of the death penalty and against abortion. So America can take another tilt at the Bush Dynasty.
I’d be shocked, dismayed, saddened and disgusted if Jeb got in after a liberal Democratic leader. But surprised? I wouldn’t be surprised.
You know, while that’s bad… it’s not as bad as electing dubya. As much as I’ve become opposed to the Bush dynasty, I have to say that Bush senior was in no way as embarrassing to America as junior is.
I admit to not knowing Jeb particularly well, but I have a hard time believing he could be as much of a throwback as his brother.
Who knows, he might be even more dangerous… not being the favourite son, looking to impress daddy. That’s a frightening thought.
Thanks for your comment Walter, you’re right, I had lulled myself into a false sense of security.
It would be surprising to me how many Americans still don’t know that the US gave a mountain of support to their man Saddam, but for the fact that so many of them can’t find Iraq on a map.
I too take exception to the “leader of the free world” thing. While there’s truth to the calim, the effect is less leadership than it is the rest of us being pulled along in America’s wake.
If there’s been one positive thing about the recent killing, it is that America has been humbled enough to recognise the value of even token military support from an insignificant little political force like Australia.
Being forced to publicly claim a bunch of roo-riding croc-wrestlers as one of its best political buddies every day for a couple of years should cause them to examine the popularity of their efforts in a little more detail.
Indignation suits you, Yas ;)
Lol Milo, you have always so loveth the Busheth.
Eh. You’d be surprised at how many Americans are against the US poking its nose into the affairs of the world and hate their culpability in a lot of the world’s problems today. Sadly, like in every other democracy, they are a minority and the majority of idiots out-vote and out-weigh the voices of these educated, sane people.
Personally, I think this is the perfect example of why democracy is a sham and why it sucks — meritocracy is the way to go. After all, what does the opinion of a person who believes in an imaginary voice the sky have to do with advances in genetic engineering?
*shakes head*
Unfortunately I do know that there are lot of Americans who are disappointed with their government, but what really stabs my heart is that there’s no mention of censure.
Where are the protests calling for the president to be accountable for breaking international law, and launching an illegal invasion? Where’s his seat at the Hague?
You might think that sounds a little extreme, but thats what happens to heads of state who are responsible for illegal acts of war…. unless they’re American.
All I hear are “damn that bush, oh well, it’ll be over soon enough” - then what? he gets to live out his life in luxury, on the talk show circuit failing to comprehend the words on his autocue?
Where’s the accountability? - Don’t get me wrong, I don’t actually expect any accountability, but I’m pissed off that US citizens aren’t even asking for any.
If he were the leader of any other developed country — which given his public speaking skills, I can’t begin to imagine — but if he were, there’d be riots in the streets.
…
As for the meritocracy thing, I used to feel enouraged by the voluntary voting system in the US. At least that way the clueless and apathetic don’t have to bother. It was naive of me to think that those who cared enough to vote would bother to educate themselves first.
The mention of a meritocracy makes me wonder who would decide on merits? The way it’s looked so far it wouldn’t surprise me if the evangelical arm-wavers who believe God is a Texan were considered to have the most merit… after all, one of them currently heads the nation.
Separation of church and state is the biggest US myth. Like it or not, the USA is an Evangelical theocracy. That science survives at all, is due only to the overwhelming lust for material goods.
hey Milo - you might be impresed by the Backwards-Bush counter I’ve added onto my myspace (if you can bear to look!!).
The myspac address is /beejyboo in case you’ve forgotten =p
LOL BJ, I love it… finally a use for those countdown timers that doesn’t involve some celebrity tartlet turning 18 ;)
Did you simplify your myspace layout? Somehow I seem to recall a much busier looking page last time I checked. Maybe that Masters of yours is kicking in :D <3
hehe - yes I did, I knew it looked trashy before but could never be bothered to clean it up. Pimp my profile sucks!! I’m all for the cleaner look this year; thanks for the compliment!!
Don’t get me started on the U.S. I’e been disgusted with this government for a long time. The U.S. has used the grief of Americans to launch at least TWO illegal wars. When told by a reporter that a majority of Americans wanted the troops out of Iraq, Dick (how aptly named that man is) Cheney replied, with the hubris only a U.S. politician can conjur, “So what?” Jeez.
I saw that particular press conference. I have to say, I was absolutely shocked.
So much for even the semblance of democracy. Indeed, who really does give a shit what the people want? It can’t be the people themselves.
America needs another civil war… only this time, a civil holy-war against the arm-waving evangelical conservatives who have been surprisingly effective in their insidious domestic terrorism.
As for the grief angle, on the whole I agree with you. Unfortunately there’s also a component of trademark apathy for non-Americans.
There’s a prevailing attitude that the rest of the world should respect US initiatives/borders/rules etc, but that nobody else’s rules matter. That’s how you get to the point where you can justify any kind of heinous act under the guise of national security.
It’s a marriage between grief and general contempt that allows America to forgive the actions of a leadership which is way out of control. It’s not just the red-states doing the forgiving either, it’s everyone.
Citizens need to exercise their rights. This attitude of hopelessness amongst the politically disgusted may be accurate, but it also results in no public action being taken and Bush getting elected a second time.
It is *really* difficult for those of us outside the US to comprehend how that can happen when he’s so extremely unpopular. The only explanation is that the disenchanted are doing nothing but complaining.
Oh if only I were a citizen of your fair nation. A lump of coal should have been elected in favour of someone as blindingly developmentally challenged as Bush, but the fact that he was elected isn’t enough reason to stop making noise.
It really floors me that there are no riots in the streets on a weekly basis.
btw, I’m sorry I’m kind of generally biting people’s heads off about this… that really isn’t my desire, except that when each American votes, they vote for us as well.
This “leader of the free world” stuff isn’t far from the truth, except, as I’ve said before, we don’t get a vote in that leadership.