Posted on 11/06/2004 1:44:12 PM PST by a_Turk
If there was any hope that a second term would lead President George W. Bush to act in a less unilateral way than before, Washington’s surprise recognition of the “Republic of Macedonia” on Thursday, trampling on Greece’s sensitivities, showed clearly that the United States is not going to waste time with diplomatic niceties. The message to Greece and the European Union was clear: Get used to living with this America.
There was no doubt that September 11, 2001 would change the United States and the way it acted in the world. Iraq showed that American reaction had developed into unilateral action, irrespective of the opinions of other countries or organizations.
This has not led, so far, to the crushing of international terrorism or to peace in the Middle East. Both these problems pre-date Bush’s presidency and it would have been impossible to solve them in a four-year term.
The United States may wield unprecedented power but it is not the only country in the world, nor are Bush’s supporters the only Americans. (Americans who disagree with him will have to mobilize, and we may be at the start of a genuine political reawakening in that great democracy.)
If the transatlantic friction continues, this will encourage the EU’s efforts to develop greater political and military coherence. Individual countries, like Greece, will have to either align themselves with the United States according to Washington’s needs or cooperate more closely with each other. Through its history, Greece has done well when it coordinated its aims with the interests of greater powers. That is why it is truly fortunate that our country is a member of the EU. The fact that the EU has not quite clarified its aims provides Greece with the opportunity and the responsibility to play a productive role in defining them.
George Bush has been re-elected. What are we going to do about it?
So silly this Greece-Macedonia thing. Does York England complain about York Pennsylvania?
The Greeks are pretty anti-American and have been for a long time.
It's Greece's English Language Newspaper.
Please. Whenever the EU doesn't get its way its because the other side is being unilateral. If they do get their way, its never because they're unilateral, but because of diplomacy.
What a bunch of shite.
The independent nation of Luxemburg is next to the Belgian province of Luxemburg, and it is not deemed a territorial claim on Belgian territory. So far as we know, the Macedonians have made no serious claim to Greek Macedonia. Substantively, I don't see why the Greeks are so worried. It does not seem reasonable.
Whine and pout, as usual.
ping!
BTTT
By the way, this is the exace scenario that Bible Prophecy foretold in the Old & New Testaments. The Rapture may be closer than we think. Maybe Bush was elected for such a time as this to move international gov'ts toward this Biblical Scenario called the "Endtimes Scenario".
Good point.
It's Machismo.
Bet your @ss! I'm from York, PA and I think York, England AND New York should have to change their names.....(of course, I'm not holding my breath...)
This really messes up their "one world" government!
"George Bush has been re-elected. What are we going to do about it?"
Well, Greece, take some advice from the grandson of Greek immigrants to the United States:
GET OVER IT.
I've got a real deal for you folks, too. You don't tell the US what to do, and -- as long as you keep terrorists from using your country as a base of operations against the US -- we won't tell you what to do. Deal?
But do keep the advice about not sponsoring terrorism.
Grow up, Greeks.
It is because they spend so much time playing with their worry beads.
Macedonia is nothing but a name and it is available for anyone to use. Hell, America alone has a London (Connecticut), a Paris (Texas) and even a Moscow (Idaho). Greece, get over yourself already. Sheesh!
It's a two way street. Greece hasn't shown any love for the United States and especially not for the Bush administration. I suggest that if Greece and the EU actually want some sensitivity from the USA that they start showing some themselves.
I must freely admit that I have no idea about the Macedonia Republic issue, but the trend for the last ten years is for a splintering of countries along cultural or ethnic lines. If the people of Macedonia don't want to be a member of Greece and want to form its own republic, so be it.
Make sure they don't hear about Athens, Georgia.
Not one thing. But you can always try.
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