In reply
Let me quote from an article in today's [link|http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030311.wbush0311_x/BNStory/International|Globe and Mail].
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith each passing day, the U.S.-led coalition of the willing, as Mr. Bush has called it, looks more like the coalition of the bribed and the kicking and screaming. Even staunch allies such as Canada are about as reluctant as they can be without actually thwarting the United States.
The feeling here is that many are acting out of fear. I'd like to note that despite a lot of ranting in the right wing media in the US to the contrary, if you were to ask anywhere outside the US you'd be told that we (Canada) are your best friend on the planet.
\r\n\r\nThe arrogant manner in which the administration has been going about this issue is exemplified by the following; it's common public knowledge in Canada that we've been advocating a compromise solution for quite some time, only part of which is contained in the British-authored resolution:
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCanada was among the first countries to predict a diplomatic train wreck at the UN if the United States tried for a second resolution, but Ottawa's efforts to broker a compromise were met with disdain and even anger at the White House.
If they're treating friends like that, just imagine how they're treating others.
\r\n\r\nOops, forgot something. The question you need to ask... what happens to empires when the subjects stop being afraid of the imperial power? What happens to joe citizen of that empire when that happens? If you want an answer, history is replete with examples to draw from. This means that if the US takes the path of empire, they're going to have to put the fear out for as long as they can. What do you think that's going to do to your culture? What do you think it's doing to it already?
\r\n\r\nThe more I read about what's happening in the US, between sanctimonious mall rent-a-cops hiding behind their authority all the way on up to Patriot and Patriot II, the more I figure that OBL is laughing his ass off. His little project has paid off far more than he could have hoped and dreamed for... he's turning you into them.
