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jhn7537
reply to post by James1982
James, I respectively disagree with you. We have a 2 party system here and when one party is in control they have the power to dictate action. You suggest that a politician speaks on behalf of the country and not just themselves, to a certain degree I will agree with you that they are the "voice" you speak of, but I also believe Bush, Obama, Kerry, and other politicians are not my voice, nor the voice of the people, knowing that this country hasn't been "by the people for the people" for a very long time. So you can talk down to me all you want in your semi-abusive tone as you try to get this message knocked into my thick skull, but I just don't agree with you. This isn't a right or wrong thing here, you have your opinion and I have mine, I'm not telling you to think my way or that I'm 100% right, I just feel the way I do and I'm sharing it on this thread. I'm sorry you disagree with me so vehemently.edit on 2-3-2014 by jhn7537 because: (no reason given)
James1982
So your saying the sins of a country disappear when the president that presided over them is gone? How can the world keep America accountable for its actions, when any misdeeds are erased with a new president?
US military represents America around the globe. That doesn't mean they represent YOU, that means they represent the nation as a whole, as the entity known as "America"
I never said they were your voice. Speaking for america, and speaking for the american people are two separate things, another concept alien to many.
A spokesperson for GE "represents GE" because they represent GE as a whole. Whether or not they represent what the factory worker wants or cares about doesn't matter, they represent "the company" in the same way kerry represents "The US"
The attitude of "I wasn't in power then" (even though I voted in favor of the war) doesn't cut it in a democracy. That cuts it maybe in a dictatorship, because the man in power IS the country. That's what we are trying to avoid. In a democracy the people are the country, and the people don't get replaced. It doesn't matter what president resided over what, every president is responsible for acting as if it was an action they themselves took, because the blame doesn't matter, their job is to act on behalf of the nation as a WHOLE, past and current.
Think for a second how this looks to other countries, especially those who have been victims of past US aggression. You think they give the country as a whole a pass simple because a new guy is there?
I was wrong to have the tone I had, I apologize. Based on what you said I projected things onto you that you didn't do and that wasn't right of me. I'm not too proud to say I'm sorry.edit on 2-3-2014 by James1982 because: (no reason given)
"Stop going on television and trying to threaten thugs and dictators; it is not your strong suit," Graham advised the president. "Every time the president goes on national television and threatens Putin or anyone like Putin, everybody's eyes roll, including mine. We have a weak and indecisive president that invites aggression."
Under that criteria, we should invade Israel.
This Ukraine crisis is a repeat, on a larger scale, of Georgia in 2008. They ended up losing a good chunk of their country to de facto Russian control and despite UN mediation attempts, the Russian's aren't giving it back.
This is in direct violation of the UN Charter and is as good a reason for War as you'll find, yet nothing was done.
LadySkadi
reply to post by Salamandy
Well..... Secretary of State and Chief Foreign Affairs advisor should ideally hold some weight on the world stage, no?edit on 2-3-2014 by LadySkadi because: (no reason given)
Salamandy
reply to post by James1982
His titles and positions are worthless. He is just another man. In fact he is less of a man in terms of intelligence as proven by his actions in the public forum. Who cares if some US guy speaks "officially" about the Ukrainian/Russian conflict? Unless you are a posturing, dramatic type who uses another person's crisis to get air time in an attempt keep yourself relevant.