George Walker Bush took the oath of office for a second term yesterday and laid out one of the most expansive manifestos ever offered from an inaugural podium as he dedicated his presidency to spreading democracy and freedom "with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world." In the first wartime inauguration ceremony in more than three decades, Bush vowed to transform U.S. foreign policy to make human rights the defining priority, arguing that only liberty would "break the reign of hatred and resentment" that led to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that seared his first term. From now on, Bush said, relations with "every ruler and every nation" will be predicated on how they treat their own people, a profound break from traditional U.S. policy and from the Bush administration's practices in his first term, when it worked with repressive governments in the war against terrorism. In his doctrine for the next four years, Bush presented the United States as a beacon for the subjugated around the world and promised to confront the despots who enchain them.
Doublethink Dubya is still in office. He may think he can learn from experience, but the basic problems stay the same.
Now he wants to "ending tyranny in our world" and "break the reign of hatred and resentment". Of course that over looks the fact he has replaced one tyranny for another in Iraq and spread the reign of hatred and resentment all over the world with his optional war in Iraq and he and his henchmen's very undiplomatic comments and behavior. I recall, "They're either with us, or their with the terrorists" and "old Europe" and "the great American crusade", all of which were incredibly stupid statements that spread hate and resentment that will be around for generations.
In another one of his patented stupid moves, Bush initiates an about face on in foreign policy. Now he's going to review all of his international relationships. '...relations with "every ruler and every nation" will be predicated on how they treat their own people'.
There is one VERY important principle in foreign policy. There needs to be a clear continuity and a gradual and logical flow of the public face of policy that reflects well thought out and stable judgements. This principle applies between terms and one administration to another. Dramatic changes make diplomats and politicians worldwide very nervous. Human rights has been a center piece of American policy for many years. Bush stepped away from human rights in his first administration, now he reverses himself. No one is going to believe there has been any change from these empty words.
He has managed to handicap his new Secretary of State probably for the rest of his term in office. The world sees again, this Administration is incapable of continuity and consistency. And Bush speaks with no credibility or moral authority. You can't negotiate relationships without predictibility and credibility.
Par for the course for Doublethink Dubya.
No comments:
Post a Comment