Jennifer's  Progressive Politics Homepage     |     home
Kosovo
KOSOVO!? 4/4/99 What should we make of Kosovo? You got me? On one hand, I do see the justice in going in to protect civilians from genocide. On the other hand, it does not seem to be going on there to the degree that it went on in Bosnia. There are violations of human rights, but if that is the standard, why aren’t we in Turkey, or Chiapas, or a whole host of African counties. The other thing that is unclear to me, is whether the present tactic of using bombs has much potential to stop these violations.. It is pretty clear to me that any move in that direction will require the overthrow of the Milosovic government. It is also pretty clear to me that although bombs certainly kill many people, they don’t seem to affect the people in power necessarily. Just look at Iraq. To overthrow the government we must commit troops. Any commitment of troops, runs the risk of a very real Viet Nam type scenario, as one member of my liberal email list wrote, "As one of those infantryman, it appeared to me that my prime assignment was to walk around until someone shot at me, so they could drop bombs and artillery shells all over the person that shot at me." I am not sure Americans are willing to make that commitment. The second issue is the wisdom of making it a NATO operation. That really does threaten the Russians. It also makes them suspicious of our motives.. I also question Clintons’ concept of making the world safe for the global economy. I don’t mind the idea of “a global economy,” but the present one, with corporation that basically show no loyalty or no respect toward people, I want nothing to do with it. I don’t want to be subjected to it, and I don’t think the Eastern Europeans ought to be subjected to it either. I think the global economy is why Russia is so Economically insecure and so dangerous. See the Consortium Link, on the New Russian Robber Barons.) In Russia “Robber Baron” is a literal term. The thing that ticks me off about Clinton more than anything is that he acts like a Republican President. He really believes that his foreign policy role is to make things safe for the so-called free market. That means a stable Europe, and if the Europeans aren’t willing to make it so, than the NATO Alliance will have to do it. Granted, this is a much more multinational force than we have had in the past, but so long as it is NATO, it will still be seen as an American, and to some extent British operation. I think this is a terrible PR error. It should be done by either the UN or the European Community. It really has no credibility in Eastern Europe as a NATO operation, and could end up inflaming hostilities with Russia. That brings me to the European Community, and the governments it represents. F%$! them up their A^# !!! They have been nagging Americans for years to do something about Serbia. Then when we did something, all they could do was sit by and inflame the anti-American sentiments of their citizens, meanwhile they aren’t willing to do anything themselves. They want a scapegoat, to keep them from having to take responsibility for themselves. Unfortunately, the American “white hat ethic” makes us perfect targets for it! They have steadfastly refused to take an active role in ending the first war to take place, on in the European continent for over 50 yr., yet, they are perfectly willing to criticize anyone who does! If they were willing to take more responsibility, WE WOULDN’T BE THERE! If you want to learn more about how evil and underhanded European Nationalist politicians can be. Rent the Video, “Michael Collins.” I seem to remember an incident in the 60’s, where Bob Dylan, at his rudest, crudest, angriest, ugly American best, threw the American Flag at an audience of Frenchmen, basically, over the issue of Viet Nam. I guess that is kind of the way I feel right now. Sometimes I think complete lack of tact is necessary! All I know is President Clinton needs to seriously think about what our objectives are!