Bush Lip Service to Russia and Elsewhere is Worthless Posturing

[bigtree]

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- President George W. Bush Monday used some of his strongest language yet to criticize Russia for backsliding on democratic reforms as he pressed European allies to embrace his vision of sowing peace by spreading freedom.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wobush0222,0,6006578.story?coll=ny-world-big-pix

"We must always remind Russia that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power and the rule of law. The United States should place democratic reform at the heart of their dialogue with Russia."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=519448


Like Reagan's "admonition to the Soviets in the '80's, Bush's call for democratic reforms in buddy regimes like Saudi Arabia and Russia is cover for his unwillingness to do any thing concrete to actually bring any meaningful change about. While he talks, these countries get cover to do anything they want. There are no sanctions proposed and no other action against these oppressive regimes who sponsor terrorism and repression around the world in supposed trouble spots like Iran and in their own countries as well.

The whole exercise in rhetoric is merely a cover for his new justifications for his invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq. The irony is as thick as lard in his call for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon as he continues to use our military to cow the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan into accepting our notion of democratic reform. Both military operations in that region have given Putin free reign to do whatever he wants militarily in the newly independent states. Russia's continued support of Iran's nuclear program is not even mentioned in his rhetoric.

"Liberty", "freedom", and "democracy" are interchangeable in Bush arsenal of words, but his aggressive actions in Iraq and Afghanistan speak louder to the rest of the world than the drivel that passes from his lying lips. With his republican majority firmly in the way of meaningful reform in our own country, America's political establishment is nothing more than hostage to his tyrannical stewardship. That is the example that the rest of the world will emulate from Bush's posturing. Talk the talk, but do whatever you want. Just talk.

[magellan]

1. Do as I say, not as I do

"We must always remind Russia that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power and the rule of law."

Oh, the irony! I feel another SNL skit coming on!!

"The United States should place democratic reform at the heart of their dialogue with Russia."

Cool. I'm sure Russia will be happy to follow our example...once we provide one.