Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-03-14 18:33:53 +0000
Bolton
Stop Bolton
Isn't Bolton the opposite of what we want to send to the UN? Is Bush Joking?
Watch the clip...
Posted by frame609 on 2005-03-14 18:45:43 +0000
Here I was thinking the clip was going to to be about ambassador Michael Bolton.
Posted by tgl on 2005-03-14 19:08:57 +0000
D'oh.
Posted by tgl on 2005-03-14 19:09:40 +0000
Daniel Patrick Moynihan turned out all right, didn't he?
I wasn't paying much attention then (early '80s).
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-03-29 16:25:14 +0000
In case anyone had doubts on where Bolton stands, read this.
Fascinating. Does Bush want to shut down the UN? We already know Bush wants to shut down the World Court, though that maybe because he's been indicted on numerous charges...
Honestly, I'm a little scared of becoming an isolationist country in the New World Order.
Posted by G lib on 2005-03-29 19:13:07 +0000
<i>"Honestly, I'm a little scared of becoming an isolationist country in the New World Order."</i>-- Dawn Bixtler
.
I'd like to take this a step further-- pretty soon (and I sincerely believe this), the rest of the world will start 'vote with your wallet' economic sanctions agains the US, and Bush (or his successor) will be forced to beg the UN for some slack.
.
Also, Pamsterdam and travis, I've got a question for you-- what's your guess on how long it will actually take for Europe to start flexing its shiny new economic muscle against the US? I'm guessing it'll be in the next 10 years, and that's when the the Total Kenobie US economics moment will happen.
________________
<i>"Hardcore Stricken Fagan at the Wad caused dance party Total Kenobi."</i> Rory_Stark
Posted by tgl on 2005-03-29 19:40:07 +0000
Europe is already flexing it's muscle. They're due to start arms sales with China shortly. While Europe poses economic threats, the 500lb. gorilla in the corner is China.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-03-30 00:20:17 +0000
tgl -- China, in terms of arm sales, or trade in general?
Think about what the USA would be like if Wal-Mart couldn't sell "God Bless America" T-shirts that were made in China for $4.99? Just try to go to the Mega-Marts and buy something not made in China. It might be a good thing overall w/o Chinese imports, but the econmoics would be a distaster getting there.
Posted by on 2005-03-30 04:39:57 +0000
Trade in general. Europe already sells arms to China, so, formally lifting all export controls probably won't matter much. Europe is an economic force on US hegemony, however, China is playing with more marbles. My opinions spring fully formed from: <a href="http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=9212">TAP on China</a>.
I'm not critical of Chinese imports per se, as I'm definitely not into protectionism. People choose China Brand(tm) USA! t-shirts, so, what the heck?
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-03-30 17:09:47 +0000
I constantly hear the argument from my dad, sister, cousins: "Well Giagantic-mart is the only store within ten, fifteen, twenty miles of here," etc. It makes it hard (but obviously not impossible) to vote with your dollars. You really need to give it the old college try in rural areas. (No, not getting drunk first, but putting in a big effort.)
I may not be a definition protectionist, but I am into protecting the children of China, who at the age of 6 are often forced into a 60 work week to make the shit for us. Yes, one Dawn Bixtler not purchasing stuff from China is less than a drop in the economic bucket, but when I wear the clothes or use the stereo, I like knowing that the maker reached puberty.
That and China's manifest destiny policy, which is only getting stronger and perhaps weirder...
Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-03-31 13:34:05 +0000
Well, I think it will take some time (for the EU to flex its shiny new muscles). In the next 10 years the EU will certainly solidify its burgeoning self-sufficiency, perhaps to a degree which would cause the US to feel some economic pain, but an organised economic "strike" (for lack of a better word) is probably at least a long way off. The reasons I see are as follows:
1. Governmental obstacle:
Divisiveness within the EU - imagine it's the 1800's and every state is Texas. The political situation is fairly similar in Europe in the 2000's, I think. This is the main obstacle.
2. Popular culture obstacle:
Pervasiveness of American culture in the world marketplace. The tentacles of American mass-production (whether fast food industry, music industry, engineering, you name it) reach pretty much everywhere, and as a result of mass-production these industries are able to pretty much under-price their local rivals in most cases. Exceptions to this rule would be fresh produce for obvious reasons, and toiletries/clothing due to long-standing brands of high quality and higher responsiveness to trends.
I think reason #2 is relatively small potatoes compared to reason #1, but I honestly don't know which (governmental spending vs. popular spending) would hurt the US economy more. Am I being naive?
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-03-31 16:09:55 +0000
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-04-26 17:24:09 +0000
Is it over for Bolton?
"'Who needs inspections?' Mr. Bolton told the assemblage that the existence of Iraq's bioweapons program was 'beyond dispute.'"
Man, I hope so.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-06-13 22:55:14 +0000
It would be nice if Bush gave up on the Bolton nomination tomorrow, but don't count on it. Steve Clemons predicts the Senate may get some of the info on Bolton they requested months ago:
1)The NSA intercepts which may or may not show Bolton framed "unloyal" intellegence advisors.
2)Emails, speech preparation info, position papers, and other communications surrounding the preparation of testimony John Bolton planned to give on Syria's WMD programs. Bolton stated -- under oath -- that he was entirely uninvolved with the preparation of this public statement on Syria. The documentation will show that to be true or untrue, and most suspect that Bolton seriously perjured himself before Congress.
3)The client list of Matthew C. Freedman and if he worked for a lobby firm while being employed as a staff assinstant for the State Dept.
Let's hope for all three.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-06-13 23:01:58 +0000
I wouldn't be surprised if there is another extremely passable nomination, in the next week, and Bolton gets brushed under the rug. Though Bush and Rove all most never admit defeat...
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-07-25 04:21:37 +0000
Phew... it really might be over.(by way of Steven c. Clemens)
What is it with the GOP?:
-Rove doesn't remember which reporter told him Valerie Plame was a covert CIA agent.
-Bolton doesn't remember being interviewed about all the intelligence failures in Iraq.
-Roberts doesn't remember being on the Sterring Committee of the Federalist Society.
-Condi Rice doesn't remember the Memo that stated Iraq never looked for Nigerian uranium.
Huge issues all. They are either lying (likely) or absolute idiots (less likely). Or is lying about such big issues make one even more idiotic?
And this is the party in power? Sad....
Posted by tgl on 2005-07-30 03:27:28 +0000
I think they all deserve promotions and/or commendations. Medals of Freedom, all!
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-08-01 16:05:10 +0000
From thewashingtonnote.com:
"Hats off to the activists, bloggers, senators, and everyone else who helped block Bolton's passage in the Senate, sending a signal to the White House that its omnipotence remains thwarted. This was a bi-partisan effort; make no mistake about that. It hints at what a strong center can accomplish in Washington, it will also forever change how the White House calculates its public posturing during the rest of Bush's term."
Hey! Iraq! This is how democracy works! When you can't even get the committee members to give you a passing grade, let alone 60 senators to decide it's time to quit talking, take the decision out of the hands of the people and go ahead and GET THINGS DONE.
Am I getting so far distanced from Sept. 11, 2001 that I can't fully appreciate a little presidential fiat?
Posted by tgl on 2005-08-02 02:59:53 +0000
That's a good one: Eisenhower appointed Warren.
Posted by on 2005-08-02 04:07:00 +0000
<a href="http://cunningrealist.blogspot.com/2005/08/rhett-butler-appoints-flavor-flav.html">Here's a clear-eyed take.</a>
I wasn't paying much attention then (early '80s).
Fascinating. Does Bush want to shut down the UN? We already know Bush wants to shut down the World Court, though that maybe because he's been indicted on numerous charges...
Honestly, I'm a little scared of becoming an isolationist country in the New World Order.
.
I'd like to take this a step further-- pretty soon (and I sincerely believe this), the rest of the world will start 'vote with your wallet' economic sanctions agains the US, and Bush (or his successor) will be forced to beg the UN for some slack.
.
Also, Pamsterdam and travis, I've got a question for you-- what's your guess on how long it will actually take for Europe to start flexing its shiny new economic muscle against the US? I'm guessing it'll be in the next 10 years, and that's when the the Total Kenobie US economics moment will happen.
________________
<i>"Hardcore Stricken Fagan at the Wad caused dance party Total Kenobi."</i> Rory_Stark
Think about what the USA would be like if Wal-Mart couldn't sell "God Bless America" T-shirts that were made in China for $4.99? Just try to go to the Mega-Marts and buy something not made in China. It might be a good thing overall w/o Chinese imports, but the econmoics would be a distaster getting there.
I'm not critical of Chinese imports per se, as I'm definitely not into protectionism. People choose China Brand(tm) USA! t-shirts, so, what the heck?
I may not be a definition protectionist, but I am into protecting the children of China, who at the age of 6 are often forced into a 60 work week to make the shit for us. Yes, one Dawn Bixtler not purchasing stuff from China is less than a drop in the economic bucket, but when I wear the clothes or use the stereo, I like knowing that the maker reached puberty.
That and China's manifest destiny policy, which is only getting stronger and perhaps weirder...
1. Governmental obstacle:
Divisiveness within the EU - imagine it's the 1800's and every state is Texas. The political situation is fairly similar in Europe in the 2000's, I think. This is the main obstacle.
2. Popular culture obstacle:
Pervasiveness of American culture in the world marketplace. The tentacles of American mass-production (whether fast food industry, music industry, engineering, you name it) reach pretty much everywhere, and as a result of mass-production these industries are able to pretty much under-price their local rivals in most cases. Exceptions to this rule would be fresh produce for obvious reasons, and toiletries/clothing due to long-standing brands of high quality and higher responsiveness to trends.
I think reason #2 is relatively small potatoes compared to reason #1, but I honestly don't know which (governmental spending vs. popular spending) would hurt the US economy more. Am I being naive?
Has the US isolationism begun?
<a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/thecorner/05_04_10_corner-archive.asp#060464">Conservatives agree</a>
Not natural.
<font size=5>We crush the world!</font>
"'Who needs inspections?' Mr. Bolton told the assemblage that the existence of Iraq's bioweapons program was 'beyond dispute.'"
Man, I hope so.
It would be nice if Bush gave up on the Bolton nomination tomorrow, but don't count on it. Steve Clemons predicts the Senate may get some of the info on Bolton they requested months ago:
1)The NSA intercepts which may or may not show Bolton framed "unloyal" intellegence advisors.
2)Emails, speech preparation info, position papers, and other communications surrounding the preparation of testimony John Bolton planned to give on Syria's WMD programs. Bolton stated -- under oath -- that he was entirely uninvolved with the preparation of this public statement on Syria. The documentation will show that to be true or untrue, and most suspect that Bolton seriously perjured himself before Congress.
3)The client list of Matthew C. Freedman and if he worked for a lobby firm while being employed as a staff assinstant for the State Dept.
Let's hope for all three.
I have a feeing there is a deal going on here.
Or are Frist and McCain together at last?
_______________________________
At some point "Nukular" Bush, "My left side's numb" Cheney, and "Wrong" Rove have got to wish they had not gone for Bolton.
I mean Trent Lott AND Lamar Alexander are now siding with the Dems on this one....
I wouldn't be surprised if there is another extremely passable nomination, in the next week, and Bolton gets brushed under the rug. Though Bush and Rove all most never admit defeat...
Even die hard neo-cons now recognize it.
_______________________________
What is it with the GOP?:
-Rove doesn't remember which reporter told him Valerie Plame was a covert CIA agent.
-Bolton doesn't remember being interviewed about all the intelligence failures in Iraq.
-Roberts doesn't remember being on the Sterring Committee of the Federalist Society.
-Condi Rice doesn't remember the Memo that stated Iraq never looked for Nigerian uranium.
Huge issues all. They are either lying (likely) or absolute idiots (less likely). Or is lying about such big issues make one even more idiotic?
And this is the party in power? Sad....
From thewashingtonnote.com:
"Hats off to the activists, bloggers, senators, and everyone else who helped block Bolton's passage in the Senate, sending a signal to the White House that its omnipotence remains thwarted. This was a bi-partisan effort; make no mistake about that. It hints at what a strong center can accomplish in Washington, it will also forever change how the White House calculates its public posturing during the rest of Bush's term."
The Wash Post gives a look at other recess apppointments. Scalia's son? Wow, Cheney really must have been joking...
Am I getting so far distanced from Sept. 11, 2001 that I can't fully appreciate a little presidential fiat?