On September 11, 2001 the United States was hit with the largest terrorist attack in its history. George Bush decided to attempt something that no previous President thought possible, a permanent reordering of the Middle East.
Afghanistan was invaded and the Taliban was toppled, Al Qaeda was driven into Pakistan, and the people of Afghanistan were given a chance at a more normal existance with a more representative government. Pressure is continuing to be applied by the government of Pakistan and coalition forces on the border of Pakistan. Not a perfect situation but better for us and them.
In Iraq Saddam Hussein was removed, Al Qaeda has nearly been driven to extinction, Iran's proxy, Sadr's Army, has been defeated in Iraq and driven back into Iran, and Iraq has shown the ability to begin governing and protecting itself while producing oil in a stable and free enough environment that foreign companies can function. Not a perfect situation but better for us and them.
We have not had a terrorist attack of any magnitude since September 11, 2001. Whoever is the next president has a war to win or lose depending upon his tenacity. There is only one candidate who is known for that trait, McCain.
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3 comments:
Sure, we've rewritten the rules of engagement, torture and executive privileges, why not go further?
I get exhausted hearing from those who feel it's some God-given right to distribute our unimpressively shallow way of life to those who are wholly unlike us. Capitalism has, as its nature, the ability to be a blessing and a curse --right now we're expressing the curse to the whole world.
Our demeanor of thumping our chest introducing conflict after conflict around the globe is somehow heralded as 'the american way' and 'patriotic' but it says so little for our ethics and foreign policy. War and a policy of global fear isn't the civilization of thinking people, it's that of animals.
I guess if our country is staged to be one thing in the 21st century by those who have been running it - its likely to be that of an ever-shrinking bully whose products won't be purchased, whose people are too lazy to think beyond the barrel of a gun or over the McDonalds happy meal we've been stuffing into our mouths, unruly and childlike.
Obama's a political minefield of platitudes and inexperience capitalizing on G.W. Bush douchebaggery. McCain's a curmudgeon of old world politics and an imperfect record of experience who probably won't live past the first term. Neither of the candidates carry the timbre or elegance we need. They're both swapping one McPromise for an another just hoping we won't notice.
That's the real world. You fight or you die. We didn't introduce conflict, it was there way before the United States existed.
Capitalism isn't perfect but it's the best way out there for making things, any things available. Examine the alternatives, they are stone-age poverty or systems (communism, socialism) that fail over and over again beause people need and want and those systems deny human nature.
We aren't the bully. Read about Rome who lined their road with dissenters by the thousands nailed to crosses. Not a few guys in orange jump suits "tortured" by thinking they may die. Or the communist Chinese or Russians who starved millions of their own people, those they didn't outright shoot. Or the Nazis who gassed millions of their own. Oh we had our bully moments but there was always a rethinking and correction, a conscience, not a final solution.
Protest on the streets of America and get jeered, protest on the streets of North Korea, Palestine, Egypt or China and see what you get. Demand justice in the banana republics of Africa and die. No, America is the world's last best hope. Who does the world look to? Us, not the UN. How many times have we been blamed for death and destruction because we stood by and did nothing. Where is the rest of the world while the massacres in Darfur, Ethiopia, Rawanda .... and other forgotten places go on. We have done what we can but the world is a dangerous place. It is a vacuum, one that some power will fill.
As for lazy Americans, yeh, a lot of them expect to be taken care of. It's called buying votes. That's what it has degenerated down to.
Hiya ric....thanks for stopping by my blog.
I am not very well-spoken on the political front and most definitely have nothing new or thought provoking to bring to the debate. However I will say that I'm not particularly fired up about any candidate at the moment.
McCain would not be my first choice as our President, but when I consider whether I wish to have Obama or McCain as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces...McCain please. Pretty much a no-brainer for me.
Now onto something I enjoy much more than politics - our bikes! Yes, I did have a 2006 Nomad before trading to an '05 Gold Wing back in November. I can't say I've ever ridden clear across country from Arizona to NC (not once but TWICE)as you and your wife have, but we did take plenty of long multi-night rides on her.
For my wife, the Wing's back seat wins the comfort category. We haven't purchased arm rests - thought we were but my wife seems to enjoy not having them and just resting her arms on the elbow rests that come standard. She also likes the seating posture a little better. It is more erect than the Nomad.
As for me: Take into account that I am 6'5" tall with a 36" inseam...all leg.
Frankly I found the Nomad to be more comfortable. For the very reason you mentioned. Being able to adjust from erect to leaning back with the highway pegs was great for my long legs. In spite of immediately buying a customized seat from Wing Soft that moved me back 2" away from the fairing and up 1" I can't say that the Wing is as comfortable yet. I'm getting there, but the leaned back position is no longer available for me like it was because of the fairing. I DO have highway pegs that allow me to stretch my legs, but it is down towards the road rather than forward and up (the pegs retract up when I'm not using them so they don't hurt cornering clearance).
But ric, I've still got to cast my vote for the Wing. When you throw in the wind protection and the fact that the bike is like riding a rocket, I find myself glad of the switch.
Renting the bike for a test ride is an excellent idea. Nothing like testing it out for yourself. Would love to know what you end up thinking of the Wing if you do that.
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