Josh Marshall says America impotent and irrelevant..

[kentuck]

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/jul/15/whither_america

<snip>
There is no shortage of things to shudder at and lament in this current spiral of death in the Levant. But what stands out to me right now is the seeming irrelevance and marginality of the United States.

Where is America? Whoever you believe is right or wrong in this mess, I doubt very much that the powers directly involved have the will and ability to de-escalate the situation. Some want to. Others don't. But take the region as a whole and the differences between will, desire and ability fade into insignificance. (Here's an interesting article from the Jerusalem Post on Israel's aims vis a vis the Lebanese government, based largely on an interview with a high-ranking IDF officer.)

Some might say that the Bush administration's silence is acquiescence or approval of the Israeli raids into Lebanon and Gaza. But I think it's more than that. This is silence born of over-extension and policy exhaustion. Thinking back through the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s -- with key crises in each decade -- I don't think there's any example where an American administrtion has so thoroughly marginalized itself or shown such impotence and irrelevance.

[madrchsod]

1. when the ex head of the kgb disses bush at every turn

i bet the old man wishes bill clinton was his kid instead of the retard he tried to raise. i for one an appalled that this happened this week.

[ourbluenation]

2. and Bush is so in over his head....he must be freaking out right now

note to fellow americans - dont vote for some damn average person you could have a beer with. vote for someone who can handle a lot of shit all at once. would ya want an average surgeon operating on your kid?

but I digress...

[aquart]

3. I miss being a superpower.

I admit it. I liked it.

[CantForget]

6. Too Much Responsibility

Best for our country to kick back, let other nations fight it out, then if we feel threatened, use our nuclear bombs like in Japan in WW11.

[blonndee]

11. Mmm hmmm. That's the ticket, all right.

:eyes:

'Cuz none of the fighting going on right now has ANYthing to do with us and has NO effect on us at all. After all, WE'RE the only country that matters.
:sarcasm:

[elvisbear]

12. WW11? I must have been asleep for the other 9 world wars!

:eyes:

[Swamp Rat]

13. Sieg heil and welcome to DU

:hi:

[CatWoman]

14. LOL, Swampy!!!

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

15. Way'at CatWoman!

:hi:

[CatWoman]

16. LOL

Which one is "cantforget"?

I'll wager it's the moran on the right :D

[Duncan Grant]

18. That's a hell-of-a foreign policy there, Sport.

"Armageddon 'r' us".

Think it through again...

[aquart]

21. Uh huh.

Maybe you missed the real threats to our nation? While George has been greedy in Iraq, South America has been making trade treaties with China and other nations that do not include us.

One of the goodies of being a superpower is economic hegemony.

We're not going to be able to kick back while working ninety hours a week for starvation wages.

[CantForget]

4. USA Keep Out

Yes, I hope the USA keeps their nose out of it unless the
other Eastern bullies gang up on Israel.There is no such a
thing as negotiating with words or documents. You negotiate
with steel.

[Name removed]

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[Howardx]

9. good thing we bought you that steel

n/t

[Kahuna]

17. By the way... Since you're such a tough guy, you of course will enlist..

first thing Monday morning...... :eyes:.....

[lonestarnot]

20. Do you drive a hummer?