Bush idealism
As Bush has often stated and as Lincoln and others before him has stated as well is that freedom is a gift and a right granted from God and that every person should have it.
There are some in the JAS who have criticized this notion... I am confused. Are they criticizing it for the ideal itself or in that the United States should not play a part in removing the shackles that prevents such freedom for other peoples. I believe it's the latter, but I wanted to be sure.
There are some in the JAS who have criticized this notion... I am confused. Are they criticizing it for the ideal itself or in that the United States should not play a part in removing the shackles that prevents such freedom for other peoples. I believe it's the latter, but I wanted to be sure.
posted by Sloanasaurus | 1/24/2007 03:27:00 PM
I suspect that those members who have been critical do so for the latter reason Many people, myself include, have some issues (some more than others, of course) of the US being the world's policeman, especially given the level of appreciation it earns us.
Yet, I would be greatly surprised if any member denied that freedom is one of our God given inalienable rights.
That is what I thought. Although many people hate Bush so much that it is hard for them to support anything he does or supports. In that respect, I am sure we would find many (even in our own camp) that believe otherwise.
I think the correct answer is [channeling John Kerry] considerably more "nuanced" than that. Yes, the US should be seeking and supporting freedom for all nations and peoples. The tactics supporting that are many and widely divergent in cost and effectiveness.
One can simply state that "We think there should be free elections in Venezuela." We can say, "We're pulling our ambassador." We can say "We won't trade with you." or "We WILL trade with you if you reform." Or "we will kill you." Or "we will invade." The lower the cost of freedom, the better, even though the value never changes.
J. Ewing
It would be nice if we could take a magic wand and bestow freedom on the rest of the world. It's not that simple. Some peoples are perpetually at odds and not amenable to living together peacefully and democratically.
In America, we can appreciate freedom because we came to this land specifically seeking freedom and went so far as to fight our own war of revolution. Perhaps the Sunnis think they are simply playing out the same battle we did 231 years ago.
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