Quote of the day - Diplomatic Imperialism

Remember when George W. Bush said that you're with us or against us?

Fareed Zakaria wrote "Washington ... has not yet figured out that diplomatic imperialism is a luxury that the United States can no longer afford."
- The Post-American World, Release 2.0, pp. 258-259

He concludes his book with the idea that we are an open, welcoming country but that our foreign policy is narrow-minded and paranoid.

Many are calling for Congress to compromise on many issues.  Maybe we should be asking Congress and the Administration to compromise with the rest of the world.

"The Post-American World" is a very good read.  Zakaria lays out all the pitfalls of assuming that economic and military might can mislead a country into thinking its "On top of the world and outside history".  On the other hand, Zakaria thinks that as the first "universal nation" (people of many origins and faiths) has a lot of strengths that can be harnessed to bring about a more prosperous, peaceful, multi-polar world.

Quote of the day: On top of the world and outside history

"Well, here we are on top of the world, and we have arrived at this peak to stay there forever.  There is, of course, a thing called history, but history is something unpleasant that happens to other people.  We are comfortably outside all of that I am sure."  Arnold Toynbee, historian, remarking about the atmosphere while watching a parade during the sixtieth anniversary celebration of Queen Victoria, quoted in "The Post-American World, Chapter 6, American Power" by Fareed Zakaria.

Apropos that, watch "ShiftHappens: What Do You Know?"  We saw this video this morning on a smart board at the administration building of the Duluth Public Schools.  It was part of a presentation on technology in the Duluth  Public Schools for the University for Seniors.  Although the presenters had all this high-tech equipment, they said American schools are still run as if preparing students for factory jobs in the 19th Century.

I think with our militarism, politicians beholden to certain business interests, and lack of investment in public schools we are behind the parade of history.

Afghanistan - Doing too much for too little?

Fareed Zakaria thinks that the fight against the Taliban is overreach with little result.  He likens it to fighting Italy after Germany has been defeated.  See "Fareed Zakaria Criticizes 'Disproportionate' Afghanistan War on CNN".

We should also look at the reverse situation.  How many Americans would fight a foreign invader?  Suppose there was an Anti-China League that started hitting Chinese targets.  The Chinese, tired of the "American" terrorism, would invade the U.S. with overwhelming force.  Many Americans would resist, even if they did not like the Anti-China League.

For what many call a "Christian" nation, we seem incapable of following the second greatest commandment - do unto others what you would have them do unto you.

Also, why does the Afghan army need so much training when the Taliban has such minimal training?  If the U.S. can't beat the Taliban with all of its sophisticated training and weapons, will an Afghan army beat the Taliban with the same sophisticated training and weapons?  Either a sufficient number of Afghans are opposed to the Taliban to fight the Taliban on similar terms or too few Afghans are willing to risk their lives against the Taliban.