Scowcroft's 'Realism'

RealClearPolitics ^ | October 28, 2005 | By Charles Krauthammer

[Cincinatus]

Regardless of your surprise, it is a legitimate arugument, and for reasons that have nothing to do with "nation-building."

To appreicate the WOT significance of Iraq, all you have to do is look at a map. Beyond Saddam's role as an opportunistic supporter of various terrorist movements, his country happens to lie at a geographic nexus in the Middle East. To "flip" Iraq from an Islamic gangster regime into a western-oriented democracy creates a wedge into the heart of radical Islam. Syria is now flanked on both sides (Israel and the new Iraq) while Iran is similarly flanked by Iraq and a newly liberated Afghanistan. Coupled with underpressure from an anti-islamic India, the hotbeds of radical Islam are surrounded and feeling under increasing pressure, as evidenced by the elevated volume of their screeching and the associated whining by their fellow-marching dupes.

[plenipotentiary]

Scowcrofts "realism" is a bit out of date.

In the old days it was "realistic" to assume that countries run by bad people were too far away from the US to do any damage, and the USSR could be deterred by Mutually Assured Destruction.

Today, evan quite small countries run by bad people, indeed small groups of individuals, have the capability to do the USA great harm, and they are not necessarilly deterred by MAD.

It is no good ignoring people and countries with "bad intent" anymore.

They can and will do great harm if left unchecked.

[.cnI redruM]

That's a good point. In a sense, every country is now our neighbor. We are effected by what their people buy, how their governments behave and how well those societies function as a whole.

[refermech]

Of all the replies to this thread yours is the best! Look deep into a mans heart and you will find his true motivations. I think your read on Scowcroft is right on the money!

[Chgogal]

Germany, Japan and South Korea are definitely great examples of "futile exercises in nation-building".

For that matter, I think a well educated person can make a descent argument that the US was pretty good at continent building starting with the US itself and then including Europe and South East Asia. Just a thought.

[quesera]

Once again, nicely done Mr. Krauthammer. I hope to see you tonight with Brit Hume on Fox.

[wolfpat]

Weren't people saying the same things about post WWII Germany and Japan?

[oh8eleven]

Scowcroft is a John Kerry with a slightly higher I.Q.
C'mon, no one is smarter than Kerry ... well, except maybe Hitlery.

[LibLieSlayer]

I disagree.

LLS

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>So you think Scumcroft is a Republican who has grown?<<<

No, I think he is an opportunist with no true loyalty.

[Tolik]

Cross-Reference:

R.J. Rummel: Scowcroft Just Doesn't Get It
Democratic Peace | October 24, 2005 | R.J. Rummel
Posted on 10/28/2005 8:48:58 AM EDT by Tolik
http://freedomspeace.blogspot.com/2005/10/scowcroft-just-doesnt-get-it.html

[.cnI redruM]

So Scowcroft is a 'Hahvad Yadd' elitist pig? Quite possibly. At least that would give him an excuse for his apostasy.

[gaspar]

It was Scowcroft who saved Richard Clarke after he was fired by Secretary of State Baker. Scowcroft got the State Department toady placed on the NSC. It was Scowcroft who did most of the work on a really bad and self-serving Bush/Scowcroft history, "A World Transformed." He was, followed by Powell, Shalikashvili, W. Clark and others still hanging around, a "political" general of little military accomplishment. Shakespeare depicted the type quite well in his portrayal of Longinus Gaius Cassius.
"Yond' Cassius has a mean and hungry look; he thinks too much; such men are dangerous."

[Dilbert56]

If you ever have trouble sleeping get the book Scowcroft co-wrote with GHWB. There was a lot going on during those four years, especially the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Scowcroft's comments are amazing. He sees problems everywhere with everything. To him the world is a byzantine maze of unbroachable walls. The concept of scaling walls or knocking them down is heresy to him. Meanwhile, every reason to not take action is accepted as gospel.

After about 200 pages I gave up.

[.cnI redruM]

scowcroft gives us a firsthand look at the difference between a coward and a conservative. A coward never willingly upsets the applecart. A conservative does what's necessary.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Poor Brent, he had his chance and didn't measure up. Nothing worse than a whiny has been. To paraphrase RLS, "Why dead or alive nobody minds Brent Sowcroft"

[Sabramerican]

There is no need for Scowcroft to represent the other side, his protege is already doing double duty at the State Dept.

"We in America know the benevolence that is at the heart of Islam. We've seen it in many ways."

Remarks at the Annual State Department Iftaar Dinner

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

Benjamin Franklin Room

Washington, DC

October 25, 2005

[Sabramerican]

There is no need for Scowcroft to represent the other side, his protege is already doing double duty at the State Dept.

"We in America know the benevolence that is at the heart of Islam. We've seen it in many ways."

Remarks at the Annual State Department Iftaar Dinner

Secretary Condoleezza Rice

Benjamin Franklin Room

Washington, DC

October 25, 2005

[RobbyS]

Agreed, 100%. Unfortunately, most Americans cannot find anything on a map. This includes many idiots who could not find there way out of Houston.

[RobbyS]

More than 50 years ago, Fulton Sheen spoke in passing of the fever that was widespread in the Muslim world. The problem is that secular minded people like Scowcroft have always been blind to it.