Who Restarted the Cold War?

[bush_cheney2004]

You're quite right, nowhere. But (real) hegemons usually can achieve their stated objectives (at least for the limited time when they reign). Which this particular "hegemon" has obvious problems with.

I don't understand your usage of hegemon in this context, which transcends any single American administration. The US has not had as much forward presence and power projection since WW2. It's economy remains the central engine for boom/bust, starting with Canada (which projected a flat export market in 2008 while American exports grew 16% last quarter).

Actually, not being a usual hard power hegemon (through lack of trying, on principle or otherwise) is something that I still like about the US. It's really a shame that this administration has done so much to destroy the positive chance that had come about after the end of cold war.

Positive chance is wishful thinking for suckers....it never existed. If you be American, you know the history....if not, then you really can't do much more than watch the Americans do/not do as they damn well please.

[Sulaco]

You are so offbase on every single point that this is almost not worth replying to. The US could tapdance Iran's head, destroy it's army and airforce, and occupy Tehran within 3 weeks. China and India MIGHT "catch up" to the US in 150 - 200 years, but certainly not even come close in 15 - 20 years, and Russia will probably never be in the same ballpark. I don't even know what you think about Europe, and I'm afraid to ask...

Myata might be undergoing some confusion. If China ever reaches the same GDP as the US the number will still be meaningless in talking about catching up economically.

Haven't people been saying for decades that these paragons of lefty virtue, these exemplars to the world, the powers who can stop the evil Americans, will catch up to the US within the decade.

Ah - if dreams became reality what else could we hope for.

[myata]

Oh dear. By many projections China will pass the US in absolute terms GDP in five years (currently its some 30% below, with annual growth of 8-10% vs US's 2-3%). BTW, the EU, in combined GDP numbers already did so.

Of course, those numbers don't count (which nevertheless translate into military, space programs and international influence). Our dreams (of unlimited power and world hegemony), on the other hand, do.

[M.Dancer]

I think this makes crystal clear who is restarting the cold war

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...ernational/home

[Sulaco]

I think this makes crystal clear who is restarting the cold war

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...ernational/home

You're trying to blame Putin but as the article points out you're wrong. By increasing it's influence in East Europe and the former SU, by forcing those lesser Slavic, Georgian, Armenian, Turkmeni, Azeri, etc. etc. etc. people to accept deals with the US, Bush and the US are obviously goading the good people of Russia.

The claver mornic George Bush and his gaggle of neo-con warmongers are obviously cynically playing on the xenophobia and imperialist "pan-slavicism" of the generally calm and rational Russian people in order to justify further money for the American industrial-military complex pig-dogs. Those lesser ethnic groups, of course, would otherwise properly kowtow to the Russian bear at all times - as they did historically. In fact the US is not merely goading Russia but also undermining historicity (the way things were) in its quest to satisfy their real god, the might dawllah.

And - by encouraging nationalist awakenings in various cultures surrounding Russia, through its insidious tacit support, the US is obviously attacking Russian culture abroad. Once Russia is back in the driver seat it will have undo all that damage by years of renewed efforts at eliminating intellectuals in the various under-nations, new and more conprehensive assaults on foreign languages and god knows what else. It's going to be just like Stalin's Russia. Had the US not converted millions to its terrible ways Stalin would not have had to kill so much.

Edited November 7, 2007 by Sulaco

[M.Dancer]

You're trying to blame Putin but as the article points out you're wrong. By increasing it's influence in East Europe and the former SU, by forcing those lesser Slavic, Georgian, Armenian, Turkmeni, Azeri, etc. etc. etc. people to accept deals with the US, Bush and the US are obviously goading the good people of Russia.

I hope you're a better brief than you are a satirist.

[Sulaco]

I hope you're a better brief than you are a satirist.

I tend to think that I am. All though sometimes my satire can achieve an appropriate level of subtlety. All lawyers have a tendency to be heavy handed.

Anyway - that obviously wasn't even directed at you - or at least I don't think so. Sheesh, everyone is a critic.

Edited November 8, 2007 by Sulaco

[M.Dancer]

I tend to think that I am. All though sometimes my satire can achieve an appropriate level of subtlety. All lawyers have a tendency to be heavy handed.

Anyway - that obviously wasn't even directed at you - or at least I don't think so. Sheesh, everyone is a critic.

....that was as subtle as ice on oil.....so subtle it would have been simultaneously over and under half the posters here......

BTW.....your typos have disappeared.....

WHERE IS THE REAL SULLY?!?

[Sulaco]

....that was as subtle as ice on oil.....so subtle it would have been simultaneously over and under half the posters here......

BTW.....your typos have disappeared.....

WHERE IS THE REAL SULLY?!?

Well, I appreciate the compliment/indictment.

It's the forum. A higher class of posting quality here has caused me to re-read what I write and correct the glaring errors. I still miss some. You'll note that this is not true of the Fuhrer board.

Edited November 8, 2007 by Sulaco

[leo]

It doesn't really matter who did it. What matter is who will prevail. I'm praying for the civilized world.