Posted on 08/29/2008 11:16:01 AM PDT by Bokababe
Strategic shortsightedness—defined as mistaking problems and issues of secondary or tertiary importance for those of vital importance, and being unable to foresee the predictable consequences of specific actions—is becoming a chronic malaise in Washington. So characteristic of U.S. policy in the Balkans in the 1990s and the more recent Iraq tragedy, it is now again apparent in U.S. actions with regard to Kosovo, and their spillover effects in the Caucasus. American policy makers had repeatedly told us that Kosovo was supposed to be a “unique” case, but apparently Vladimir Putin didn’t get the memo. The ghosts of our Balkan problems, it seems, continue to haunt us.....
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalinterest.org ...
“If the Serbs choose to align themselves with Putin in the present, while complaining about what happened in the past, then what they are doing in the present is controlling.”
Seriously, you make no sense. The Serbs chose sides? Are you talking about choosing between the former ally bombing them versus the ones who realized it was a bad move to break international laws? Had we backed Serbia and helped them in Kosovo instead of killing them and backing terrorists, who do you think they would’ve “chosen”?
And all your BS about Serbs being delighted about the Georgia debacle is truly tiring. You are the only one spewing this nonsense. Nowhere have I read such a thing from anyone against our position on Kosovo. The point is that just like our offense in Kosovo, Russia’s action in Georgia was wrong. The question you should be asking yourself is why was Kosovo regarded as “Pandora’s Box”, and who opened it? No American has any ground to stand on regarding Georgia because we changed the rules. We were warned.....and it’s not over. This was simply the first of many repercussions.
In any case, it's amusing that you think history begins in 1999. Anything that floats a relativist's boat I suppose. Have we also lost the ability to stand against Sovet actions in 1956, 1968, 1991, and elsewhere? You yourself predict there will be more "repurcussions" (interesting word, that) . . . why else if not to excuse Russian behavior? Why wasn't U.S. behavior "excused" by Russian behavior there and elsewhere? Why wasn't all of our behavior excused by the First Peloponnesian War?
So let me ask you this--what do Serbs stand to gain from excusing Russian behavior? You expect sympathy? You'll get some from an assorted collection of third-party misfits (some calling themselves conservatives), but not as much as you expect. Speaking for myself, I think Serbs should be looking for an excuse for their behavior.
Sympathy? Not here, sir. You miss my point. History din’t begin in ‘99, nor did it begin in ‘56. Go back further. Lemme know when you’ve truly figured out this battle. You’re no conservative (interesting word, that) nor will you ever be. Look out for your own, defend the principles your country was founded from...that’s a start in the right direction.
Let's see--maybe there is a parallel between what the Serbs did to the Kosovars and what the United States did to, say, the Cherokee--but you'd be on thin ice making that comparison.
You know what? I just skimmed this thread. I’m placing myself a reminder here that I’ve covered the argument I’m being asked to make. It has been made. I’ve made it.
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