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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fayeroe on February 28, 2009, at 21:41:22
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/weekinreview/01connelly.html?_r=1&hp
Posted by Sigismund on March 1, 2009, at 1:18:08
In reply to New York Times, posted by fayeroe on February 28, 2009, at 21:41:22
I heard a man named Baer, the CIA man on whom "Syriana" was based, talking about the US position in the Middle East on TV.
He said that the US could forget about it there.
They had lost the battle for minds.
There the perception had become overwhelming that the US backed regimes and Israel were outposts of some kind of colonialism.
Or something like that.US leaders need to be dealing with the real world, and are (now) heading in the right direction toward it.
With any luck they may rescue the US position.I want to emphasise that this is from a CIA man.
Posted by rskontos on March 1, 2009, at 7:35:45
In reply to Re: New York Times » fayeroe, posted by Sigismund on March 1, 2009, at 1:18:08
Sigismund,
I have always thought that in the case of the Middle East we went in and fought one type of battle, and the Middle East was engaged in a different battle. It always seemed to me, IMHO, that we were fighting in a manner in which we would/could not win. Sort of how the English tried to fight the Revolutionary War while the colonists fought in the manner of the Native Indians. In order words, we lost the battle before we even got there because our strategy was out of touch with real circumstances.
So I understand why the NYT article contained the information it did. Maybe more Americans felt like I did/do.
It would be so great if our positions overseas was healed or just improved. I traveled overseas in 07 and the sentiment regarding Americans made me very uncomfortable. It is part of the reason I tell my DH no when he wants to return.
rsk
Posted by Sigismund on March 1, 2009, at 14:15:06
In reply to Re: New York Times » Sigismund, posted by rskontos on March 1, 2009, at 7:35:45
>It would be so great if our positions overseas was healed or just improved. I traveled overseas in 07 and the sentiment regarding Americans made me very uncomfortable. It is part of the reason I tell my DH no when he wants to return.
It's already 'just improved'.
Healed may take a while.
It's been a major freak out, mainly I think because expectations and hopes placed on the USA are so high.
I wonder if that is so because of the great influence of US culture on the world?
Posted by fayeroe on March 1, 2009, at 14:28:13
In reply to Re: New York Times » rskontos, posted by Sigismund on March 1, 2009, at 14:15:06
Posted by rskontos on March 1, 2009, at 15:32:30
In reply to Re: New York Times » rskontos, posted by Sigismund on March 1, 2009, at 14:15:06
Yes I think that is a distinct possibility.
And with the just improved let's hope we can deliver on key issues with some degree of success. or consistency.
Yes healed will take a while. And I am afraid in some countries, it might never be seen as we are good guys. I hope not but I worry.
rsk
Posted by Garnet71 on March 1, 2009, at 16:39:31
In reply to New York Times, posted by fayeroe on February 28, 2009, at 21:41:22
I wouldn't completely trust a poll conducted by the NY Times/CBS as opposed to one done by an independent research organization, but what I found to be interesting is the number of Independents-29%. That's huge. Anyone know if that trend has increased over the years, or if it has been consistent?
Don't forget, Obama didn't get much more than half the popular vote, which may indicate, among other things, the najority of the country is center, not left. Had so many not been disappointed by Bush's policies, I don't think Obama would have won.
The GOP still has almost 4 years to study the previous election demographics, statistics and trends to find a niche that will fill a void in the population, then aggressively market it to the public. No doubt they will use some of Obama's successful tactics. I fear future elections will become more American-Idol-like; it's disappointing the outcome of such popularity contests could determine our policies.
This is the end of the thread.
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