December 12, 2003
My Heart Bleeds
It seems France, Germany, and Russia are perturbed at being locked out of the Iraq reconstruction contracts.
President Bush strongly defended the Pentagon's announcement that U.S.-funded reconstruction contracts in Iraq would be limited to nations that supported the war, saying Thursday that "the expenditure of U.S. dollars will reflect the fact that U.S. troops and other troops risked their life."
European leaders condemned the policy, calling it "unjustified" and "unhelpful," and observers said it may complicate the mission of James Baker III, who is to travel next week on Bush's behalf to ask European nations to restructure Iraq's debt.
I guess we'd better just cut them in on the deal. Wouldn't want our friends and allies to become obstructive and unhelpful. Wait. Oh, that's right. They are the epitome of obstructive and unhelpful. Does anybody really think they were going to come through with anything anyway? No, they were going to dick us around for a while and then kick us in the teeth. Again.
I am sick and tired of hearing about how we've "squandered the goodwill of the world" since 9/11. Frankly, the world has squandered a lot of my goodwill toward it. America is frequently called childish, but I say the "old" countries of Europe routinely play the role of spoiled teenagers to our long-suffering parent. (Hats off to Mrs. Green for first expressing this idea to me.)
France: Dad, I hate you! I hate you forever! Give me the car keys and a reconstruction contract now!
US: No. You need to start taking responsibility for your actions. You're grounded until you bring your grades up and stop jerking us around in the Security Council. And take a shower, for Chrissakes.
France: You're the meanest superpower ever! [exits dramatically, slams door]
US: [sighs] Kids.
As Steven den Beste has observed, we need to stop pretending that these are our allies when they try to screw us at every turn.
In closing, a special salute from me to the Axis of Weasels:
Well said!
Posted by: Susie at December 12, 2003 10:29 PM