Another good article on the nature of power and it's judicious use.
Actually I think the US is bending over backwards a little too much. In much of the the world being nice is perceived as weakness. That is a mistake many make about americans and they try to take advantage of this magnanimity.
Full Version: Magnanimity in politics
QUOTE ( National Review)
...Reason # 1: The reluctance of conservatives to criticize the government in war-time...
The Republicans can't do that right now because there is a Republican in the "White House"! Wait until there is a Democrat! Then those arrows of criticism will loose!
QUOTE ( National Review)
...Reason # 2: Many of the most unfortunate acts in question, conservatives know, appear to have been committed, not at the behest of the administration or the Pentagon, but by a few disorderly soldiers and interrogators — by a few rotten apples, in other words...
...Is it not just possible that, had Miss England & Co. been educated in schools that did what schools once did fairly well — trained the faculties that make for strength of character — is it not just possible that they might have had the presence of mind to stand up to the bully? The system by which America trains its youth is, we all know and conservatives (unlike liberals) admit, deeply sick; the incidents at Abu Ghraib suggest that the Army has not found an effective way to counter the bacillus. The moral problem here is one with which conservatives are particularly well-equipped to deal; but so far many have chosen, for the most part, to remain silent. Their failure represents a species of moral cowardice, an intellectual malingering; for of course it is easier to point out pathologies in the slums than in the Army...
...Is it not just possible that, had Miss England & Co. been educated in schools that did what schools once did fairly well — trained the faculties that make for strength of character — is it not just possible that they might have had the presence of mind to stand up to the bully? The system by which America trains its youth is, we all know and conservatives (unlike liberals) admit, deeply sick; the incidents at Abu Ghraib suggest that the Army has not found an effective way to counter the bacillus. The moral problem here is one with which conservatives are particularly well-equipped to deal; but so far many have chosen, for the most part, to remain silent. Their failure represents a species of moral cowardice, an intellectual malingering; for of course it is easier to point out pathologies in the slums than in the Army...
Boy I love this form of thinking; I really do!
Unfortunately, the military is a place where orders are given and expected to be obeyed! (But I do find it fascinating that the author is suggesting that we have slums and uneducated people dying for us in the Army! Personal Note: I think that our military personnel are more intelligent, and enbody more character, than writers at the National Review!
) If those orders were not obeyed -- would the Republicans then be preaching about the liberal minded soldiers that question their superiors? 
Now, back to our schools!
I thought that George Dubiya was going to fix the slums of the uneducated through his "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND" plan. Oh, thats right! We are spending most of our money hunting for fictitious WMDS!
QUOTE ( National Review)
...and when confronted with the choice between surrendering to the Russians and surrendering to the Anglo Americans, the Germans ran towards our lines. That was a great compliment, and one which we should always endeavor to deserve...
Yep! Ran straight to Harry Truman! I wonder if they would've ran to "W" -- I mean knowing about war prisoners now?
QUOTE ( National Review)
...why should conservatives voice criticisms that might strengthen the hand of America’s foes? The answer here is implicit in the question. It is precisely because the media-driven criticisms are so ludicrously unbalanced that a reasoned conservative critique is necessary; the Moorsian and Blixian broadsides are patently intended, not to fix problems, not to refine American policy and thereby improve its chances of success, but to denigrate particular American political leaders...
Its called Republican against Democrat -- the sparring of two ideologies!
Indeed it is a sorry thing Mr Grizz how your GWB hating blinders have eclipsed the facts to you.
The egalitarian dumbing down of the US education system clearly has not worked. The banality of your position is almost to ponderous to contemplate.(the unending harping about WMD's does you a disservice)
The US is not fighting in the ME for oil. The 200 billion would buy much more oil than we are getting out of there now.
Grizz take the time to study the difference between an "optimist" and a "pessimist". Then ask yourself which position would serve you best. Last time I checked any percentage of a negative is still negative. Your intrinsic negativity appears to leaking and might take you down if you don't pay attention.
Don't worry be happy! 
The egalitarian dumbing down of the US education system clearly has not worked. The banality of your position is almost to ponderous to contemplate.(the unending harping about WMD's does you a disservice)
The US is not fighting in the ME for oil. The 200 billion would buy much more oil than we are getting out of there now.
Grizz take the time to study the difference between an "optimist" and a "pessimist". Then ask yourself which position would serve you best. Last time I checked any percentage of a negative is still negative. Your intrinsic negativity appears to leaking and might take you down if you don't pay attention.
Don't worry be happy!
QUOTE (bob @ May 29 2005, 01:44 PM)
The egalitarian dumbing down of the US education system clearly has not worked.
Yes, I agree with you! After 4 1/2 years that system under "W" (with even more years to go) will be quite formidable for the next Democrat to fix!
QUOTE ( bob)
The banality of your position is almost to ponderous to contemplate.(the unending harping about WMD's does you a disservice)
Your discounting observation of those WMDS improves the knavish circumstances of this subject?
QUOTE ( bob)
The US is not fighting in the ME for oil. The 200 billion would buy much more oil than we are getting out of there now.
I do not remember bringing this up in my last posting. But you're right. The long term investment in that oil would be more remunerative over a period of time!
QUOTE (bob)
Grizz take the time to study the difference between an "optimist" and a "pessimist". Then ask yourself which position would serve you best. Last time I checked any percentage of a negative is still negative. Your intrinsic negativity appears to leaking and might take you down if you don't pay attention. Don't worry be happy!
Seems to me that almost 50% of the nation's people are a tad bit on the negative side of things, bob.
Bush's Approval Rating
Check out the congressional ratings as well.
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