So I understood that you were talking of Bush as one factor and ‘the attitude of his administration’ as another factor. And I’m not talking about “halls of Europe”, I’m talking about people of Europe, just look at the thread title.
That bring again my point about elitism and ignorance that prevail in US in relation to European politics. Who do you mean when you say, “France, Germany and others didn’t want to help…”? Are you talking about elected officials or the people? Besides, you are contradicting your own words, “The people in those countries didn’t want to go to war…”
Wrong. Check Russian internet media someday, many sites have English text (like ‘Kommersant’, for instance). It’s at least just as informative and open as US media. Except TV channels.
I have no problem with Gaspode’s point. We are talking almost about the same thing, so clasp your knees and steel yourself from jerking spasms.
It’s not much different from what I said that French and German people were against Iraq invasion and any politician in those countries would be insane to disregard this. The reason I raised the issue is that Sen. Kerry takes those people for granted, when he says that he would make sure to provide US troops with all possible support on ‘their mission’. How could he make sure if French and German people are against the war, period?
The reality is, Bush sees it one way, French and German people see it completely different. Unless Bush is God, he can’t make reality.
Much as I am loathe to extend this ludicrous thread, I would just point out ‘the French and German people’ do not ‘see things’ any different to the British or Spanish people, or the Australian people, or growing numbers of the American people.
Reading answers that people have given you may avoid the necessity to repeat the same questions.
You understood incorrectly. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.
What is elitist or ignorant about my statement? The people of Europe were certainly opposed to the war, which made it a political impossibility for their leaders to get involved. Bush’s “we’re going to war!” attitude is the primary reason he is so detested in Europe. If it’s arrogant to say he’s detested, you’ll have to explain why that is, because I think the reactions to the war over there bear out the statement.
How? If the governments didn’t go to war and the people didn’t want to go to war, there’s a contradiction? I’m not seeing it. Just like I think you were the only one to see a contradiction between ‘Bush pushed our allies aside’ and ‘Bush failed to bring our allies to the table.’ Government are loathe to make stands on principle, and even the French government (cited above) was trying to sound a conciliatory note about going through the proper process and holding Iraq to the resolutions. Schroeder won re-election in Germany mainly because he opposed the war. If Bush had handled things differently, he could have gotten more support. The people in Europe wouldn’t have been so violently opposed to him, and as such their governments would not have been as fearful of the repercussions of supporting him.
You’re correct that my statement was too general; I thought of the television media when you said the Russian media.
Do you not read your own posts?
So go ahead. Straight at the screen, tell me what has been irrational in my posts.
Just a lame joke attempt. Actually, I thought you made a prescient observation that added a significant dimension to the debate. So when Planet tried to imply that I’m close-minded and don’t understand Europeans, I brought your name in, in juxtaposition to the whole of Europe. I thought it was funny. Apparently, I was alone.
[striking a pose]
Well, I was alone before!
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