This has far less to do about politics than it does about post Cold War world environoment.
If this was true Europeans would have rejected the Afganistan war outright or in fact every war America pursued after the Cold war. In fact the majority of Europeans supported the war in Afganistan. Because the objectives were clear and concise. Get the people of 9/11 and make sure Afghanistan was not a training ground for Islamic terrorists.
When it comes to Iraq... look most Europeans thought that Iraq had WMD's, however it was when your leadership strating changing the reasons like
1. Iraq was a training ground for AQ - FALSE even Tony Blair said it
2. Saddam and Bin Laden were buddies - FALSE
3. To Free Iraq of Saddam - thats fine, but why now? And why when the US were supporting other questionable regimes? And why did your leadership say that Saddam could stay in power if he gave up WMD's??
4. Because he tried to kill your President's daddy
5. Yellow Cake
All this above made Europeans realise that your leadership did not give a damn about WMD's, they wanted this war and they said some pretty BS to get it. Thats why I was against the Iraq War, plus I didn't think it would a good idea....turns out right.
President Bush's only mistake with some of our allies was that he allowed them a way out from addressing their true selves (by giving them WMD excuses) on the international stage and he was too bold with some of his statements.
What so we have to follow the US, agree with and do anything what they say like an obedient dog? Europeans are a free people, with their own opinions. You cant chastice them for having their own mind and disagreeing with you.
The US totally overreacted over this, changing French Fries to Freedom fries. But this is nothing new, in 1917 some parts of the US banned playing Beethoven, in 1941, throwing Americans with Japanese orgins into conc camps without trial etc etc. America really does get war fever. I dont know why you guys picked on the French so much, since the whole security council including Russia and China would have vetoed. But hey better not piss of the Chinese too much eh?
France was all about exerting their feeble power by chastizing us on the world stage about Iraq, but two years after we toppled Saddam Hussein, they excitedly dropped in a consulate building in Iraq didn't they?
Wow! Only two years after?? They really could wait to get their greedy hands on Iraq right? Why did they wait for two years when the first 3-6 months after Saddam was toppled Iraq was pretty stable.
Also setting consuls in Nation's Captials is pretty common and the norm. It would be strange if France DIDN'T put a consulship there.
Besides all the oil contracts had long gone to US companies anyway.
Years and years of fighting in Afghanistan and nations like Germany and others who turned their backs on us in regards to Iraq have still not joined us completely and continue to do the bare minimum while boasting that they are with us when it comes to Afghanistan. Strange considering that our joint Euro/American venture in the former Yugoslavia saw America launch more than sixty percent of the sorties for their immediate concerns.
So Europe disagreeing with Iraq is "turning their backs on us"? The last time I checked when the US disagrees with a war, they generally dont fight it. 1914-17 and 1939-1941 spring to mind. But when Europe disagrees with a war, we are lambasted??
The damage that was done between allies has far more to do with Europe's identity than our cowboy antics to dismiss their concerns over Iraq. Until the invasion into Iraq, nations like France and Germany got away with it because typical Americans didn't care beyond their borders. But since "To topple or not to topple" occurred, they have been exposed. Even their small contribution into Afghanistan has been more than public knowledge. Senator Obama will merely sooth French and German sentiments so that they feel like they are at our table again, which is grown into the American/British table. In the end, they will have to grow up and leave the twentieth century behind.
I really wish it was an American/British table, but your leadership doesnt even listen to the British leadership. It is actually an all American table, with a "we will do what we want and to the hell with the lot of you." If the US wants to the title of leader of the free world it has to be a leader. People NEVER follow arrogance.
It won't be us stepping backwards. We were finally ready to move forward after 9/11. They were not.
Really? Well you better back up a bit. Because the US people believe they are headed in the wrong direction.
Muslim immigration into their nations will eventually force it. Eventually, they will join us one way or another. And it doesn't matter what we do next....they will participate somewhat just to try to prove that they are a part of the "team."
Yeah of course we are all eager to please America. :roll: A team is not a team if one player dictates the play.