Since 1945, America has found itself in the forefront of world politics.  Americans are entrepreneurs.  We immediately applied our political strength for financial advantage.  We have continued to do so for decades now.  Through major conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iraq (again) we seem incapable of understanding that nations want to determine their own futures as we did in 1776.

Europe has united into a larger political block.  China and India are straining at historical restrictions.  Russia is reuniting.  Africa is in chaos.  And so on.  There are lots of issues currently.  Many of them will influence the future for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.  Four decades of news reports tell me that the “Ugly American” will always be envied for what we have in America and hated for our meddling in other countries.

If we spent more time solving our national issues perhaps we could lead by example instead of trying to force our views on the deaf ears of others.

Google US military foreign bases.  After you stop laughing, or crying, perhaps you can understand why this must stop.  Bring everybody home and take care of business on our side of the Atlantic.

Technorati Tags: self determination, us military foreign bases, world policeman

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6838377.ece

Who is devising our foreign affairs strategy?  Maybe I c0uld get invited to the poker game …

Technorati Tags: Eastern Europe, Obama, Putin, Radar and Missiles

Quoting from hotair.com :   “Vice President Joe Biden earlier refused to confirm to CNN that the George W. Bush-era plan was being shelved.

But he did explain the logic of doing so, saying Iran — a key concern for the United States — was not a threat.”

I must have misunderstood some of the news in the last several weeks.  Did not Russia entertain Iran recently and promise to provide nuclear power plants, weapons and other goods and materials which the Iranians desperately need?  Did not Chavez of Venezuela promise the Iranians refined gasoline to make up their current shortfalls?  Did not Iran recently refuse discussion of their nuclear plans?  Did not Iran recently suggest that they will participate in discussions of USA nuclear disarmament?  Did Iran not repeatedly for years demand that promise the removal of Israel from the planet?

What part of this is not a threat to the USA and their allies?  Perhaps we must interpret that Eastern Europe and Israel are not our allies, but Iran, Venezuela and Russia are?

But I am distracted.  The Poles will receive their reassurances from the USA as we cut the legs out from under them and the NATO defense plan from an administration official.  Alexander Vershbow is characterized by some as a rusophile.  He certainly has some strong interest in Russia as a friend and equal as opposed to an enemy.  Put yourself in Polish shoes.  On the anniversary of the last Russian invasion of Poland you receive news that the USA is withdrawing strategic defense support from a pro Russia official of the current American administration.

Technorati Tags: Alexander Vershbow, Eastern Europe defense cuts, Obama cuts Polish defense system

Here is a highlight and a link to the immediate response to the recent shelving of radar and missile systems for Eastern Europe:

The Czech government had stood behind the planned radar system despite fierce opposition from the public. Some critics feared the country would be targeted by terrorists if it agreed to host the radar system, which was planned for the Brdy military installation 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Prague, the capital.

The decision to scrap the plan is sure to have future consequences for U.S. relations with eastern Europe.

“If the administration approaches us in the future with any request, I would be strongly against it,” said Jan Vidim, a lawmaker with Czech Republic‘s conservative Civic Democratic Party, which supported the missile defense plan.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090917/ap_on_re_eu/eu_eastern_europe_missile_defense

Many have cried  “…don’t shoot the messenger…’ and no one would blame Ellen Tauscher from claiming this overused cliche…

Quoting a USA Today article:  “Prorok said Ellen Tauscher, a U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, would brief Czech officials in Prague and Polish officials in Warsaw later Thursday about Obama’s decision.”

Although Ms. Tauscher is an undersecretary in the Obama administration, one might question her choice as a delivery agent for ‘bad news’ to the Czech government which has recently supported the USA especially when compared to many other European countries.  Her formal education in Early Childhood Education and recent appointment to her current position in the administration could undermine her efforts to placate the Czechs.

Technorati Tags: Czech reaction, Ellen Tauscher, Obama shelves defense system

“It is a big victory for the Czech Republic. We are happy that we will be able to continue to live in our beautiful country without the presence of foreign soldiers,” said Jan Tamas, an activist who had organized numerous protests.  What the heck is this guy talking about.  If he is representative of how Europe perceives our previous defense program, then let’s get everyone out of Europe right now.  While we are at it, let’s use some stimulus money to lay out the red carpet for Putin.

I guess there is a lot of heavy metal contamination in the water supplies in Europe which has effected the memories of the citizenry.  Were these people not the same ones who were protesting the oppression by the USSR just a couple of decades ago?

I guess I must be misremembering it.

Technorati Tags: Eastern Europe Defense Program, Obama, Putin