Sunday, June 13, 2004
--- I ---
See the irony?
The Straits Times, Satuday, 12 June 2004, "World" Section, Page 11
FEE IRKS JOURNALISTS
…French and German reporters protested against a US$350 fee for the use of press facilities at the main media centre in Savannah. At previous summits, such facilities were free, they said.
RESTAURANTS FEEL CHEATED
…To make matters worse, organisers stocked a ballroom at the summit's media centre with buffets loaded with free food - preventing restaurants from recouping from journalists what they had lost from the lack of tourists.
--- II ---
At last, someone is finally opening up with the truth that the Bush administration SUCKS.
Someone is there with a needle to poke out the ego from the US.
I come across this article by Roger Mitton in the Straits Times today, extolling the "big brother" attitude of the USA which has led to its waning influence, as other countries are becoming fed up with being pushed about by the superpower and are therefore refusing to listen to whatever Mr George W. Bush has to say them.
Some points from the article to applaud:
1. In fact, coddling up to Mr Bush might turn out to be a KISS OF DEATH [writer's own capitalisation] for their election prospects.
Well, we've seen the collapse of the Spanish premier's career, for being Mr Bush's yes-man. Nobody likes to be an American outpost. If not they'll become brothels for the horny and whacking-grounds for the sadists.
2. Mr Bush's administration has brought this upon itself, largely because of its haughty attitude and gratuitous unilateralism, especially in its conduct of war in Iraq.
They asked for it. The Bush administration takes pride in being the Big Brother to the family we call the United Nations. Support us and we'll treat you well. Don't like what we're doing, fuck off.
Fuck you.
The cold shoulder fell upon Germany and France. After Jacques Chirac refused to support the US attack on Iraq, the French wine industry suffered as Americans became pissed off with the lack of enthusiasm from France and refused to import and drink French wine. And so Germany and France got the cold shoulder from the US wherever the countries met.
On the other hand, leaders from the supporting countries got a pat on the back, and an arm over their shoulder. Countries like Britain, Australia and Spain. Tony Blair, especially, was becoming the sworn brother of George Bush junior.
Or more of a lapdog kowtowing to the god.
Singapore's stand was ambiguous. Our leaders probably feel embarrassed to say that they support the US stance. At the same time they are reluctant to contribute to a war.
3. (China) lambasted the (human rights) report and said it reflected US hypocrisy, because it made no mention of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners or the detentions at Guantanamo.
At least the Japanese still have some honour to admit (albeit a very short paragraph, hardly a chapter) in their history textbooks that yes, they were the protagonists of the Pacific War, and they caused a lot of death, destruction and misery to all those who experienced their rule. And with respect to their culture and traditions, they apologised.
The big shots in the US seem not to notice, with Condoleeza Rice even refusing to appear to testify against these cases of abuse. Then you have people like Ashcroft and Rumsfeld trying to save their fucking skins so they don't get disgraced like Nixon at Watergate.
Where's the integrity?
What about ethics? (Fine, Singapore Armed Forces core value, but it should be universally applied to all soldiers. Even the Little Red Book of Mao instructs the Communist Army to behave accordingly when dealing with the locals.)
The Black-Eyed Peas and Eminem (or is it spelt as "Eminem"?) should write something about George W. Bush. We've already got "Fahrenheit 9/11". It doesn't hurt to have one or two more songs.
And new, inexperienced leaders should read "The Dummies' Guide to Dealing with People like George W. Bush".
The full article is here. Read it if you have time.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Straits Times, Saturday, 12 June 2004, "World" Section, Page 10
WHERE HAVE ALL OF UNCLE SAM'S FRIENDS GONE?
Foreign leaders fear cosying to Bush will be kiss of death for re-election prospects
By ROGER MITTON
For most of the past week, the leaders of the world's eight richest nations hobnobbed together at an opulent and highly secluded beach resort off the coast of the south-eastern state of Georgia.
President George W. Bush revelled in the role of the amiable host. And rightly so. He did it well.
But while his guests extolled his hospitality and hammed it up with him for the media, they all made sure to signal to their own electorates that they retained their independence and had not become beholden to Mr Bush.
They know that acquiring even a hint of an impression of being an American lapdog does not go down well with the folks back home these days, especially when they are facing an election.
It was not always so. There was a time when foreign leaders running for re-election would fall over themselves backwards to gambol and cavort with the President of the United States.
Being viewed as important enough to command some personal attention from the world's pre-eminent leader was sure to bolster electoral support at home.
Other leaders would bask in the American president's glow, knowing that the next day's front pages would not thrust an aura of statesmanship upon them but would relegate their rivals to page 26.
But give the strong, almost visceral sentiments that Mr Bush arouses, that is no longer the case. Today, many leaders facing re-election would find their campaign managers advising them that a visit from him might not be such a good idea.
In fact, coddling up to Mr Bush might turn out to be a kiss of death for their election prospects.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Anzar found that out the hard way. He lo ¶ 6/13/2004 06:01:00 pm
See the irony?
The Straits Times, Satuday, 12 June 2004, "World" Section, Page 11
FEE IRKS JOURNALISTS
…French and German reporters protested against a US$350 fee for the use of press facilities at the main media centre in Savannah. At previous summits, such facilities were free, they said.
RESTAURANTS FEEL CHEATED
…To make matters worse, organisers stocked a ballroom at the summit's media centre with buffets loaded with free food - preventing restaurants from recouping from journalists what they had lost from the lack of tourists.
--- II ---
At last, someone is finally opening up with the truth that the Bush administration SUCKS.
Someone is there with a needle to poke out the ego from the US.
I come across this article by Roger Mitton in the Straits Times today, extolling the "big brother" attitude of the USA which has led to its waning influence, as other countries are becoming fed up with being pushed about by the superpower and are therefore refusing to listen to whatever Mr George W. Bush has to say them.
Some points from the article to applaud:
1. In fact, coddling up to Mr Bush might turn out to be a KISS OF DEATH [writer's own capitalisation] for their election prospects.
Well, we've seen the collapse of the Spanish premier's career, for being Mr Bush's yes-man. Nobody likes to be an American outpost. If not they'll become brothels for the horny and whacking-grounds for the sadists.
2. Mr Bush's administration has brought this upon itself, largely because of its haughty attitude and gratuitous unilateralism, especially in its conduct of war in Iraq.
They asked for it. The Bush administration takes pride in being the Big Brother to the family we call the United Nations. Support us and we'll treat you well. Don't like what we're doing, fuck off.
Fuck you.
The cold shoulder fell upon Germany and France. After Jacques Chirac refused to support the US attack on Iraq, the French wine industry suffered as Americans became pissed off with the lack of enthusiasm from France and refused to import and drink French wine. And so Germany and France got the cold shoulder from the US wherever the countries met.
On the other hand, leaders from the supporting countries got a pat on the back, and an arm over their shoulder. Countries like Britain, Australia and Spain. Tony Blair, especially, was becoming the sworn brother of George Bush junior.
Or more of a lapdog kowtowing to the god.
Singapore's stand was ambiguous. Our leaders probably feel embarrassed to say that they support the US stance. At the same time they are reluctant to contribute to a war.
3. (China) lambasted the (human rights) report and said it reflected US hypocrisy, because it made no mention of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners or the detentions at Guantanamo.
At least the Japanese still have some honour to admit (albeit a very short paragraph, hardly a chapter) in their history textbooks that yes, they were the protagonists of the Pacific War, and they caused a lot of death, destruction and misery to all those who experienced their rule. And with respect to their culture and traditions, they apologised.
The big shots in the US seem not to notice, with Condoleeza Rice even refusing to appear to testify against these cases of abuse. Then you have people like Ashcroft and Rumsfeld trying to save their fucking skins so they don't get disgraced like Nixon at Watergate.
Where's the integrity?
What about ethics? (Fine, Singapore Armed Forces core value, but it should be universally applied to all soldiers. Even the Little Red Book of Mao instructs the Communist Army to behave accordingly when dealing with the locals.)
The Black-Eyed Peas and Eminem (or is it spelt as "Eminem"?) should write something about George W. Bush. We've already got "Fahrenheit 9/11". It doesn't hurt to have one or two more songs.
And new, inexperienced leaders should read "The Dummies' Guide to Dealing with People like George W. Bush".
The full article is here. Read it if you have time.
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Straits Times, Saturday, 12 June 2004, "World" Section, Page 10
WHERE HAVE ALL OF UNCLE SAM'S FRIENDS GONE?
Foreign leaders fear cosying to Bush will be kiss of death for re-election prospects
By ROGER MITTON
For most of the past week, the leaders of the world's eight richest nations hobnobbed together at an opulent and highly secluded beach resort off the coast of the south-eastern state of Georgia.
President George W. Bush revelled in the role of the amiable host. And rightly so. He did it well.
But while his guests extolled his hospitality and hammed it up with him for the media, they all made sure to signal to their own electorates that they retained their independence and had not become beholden to Mr Bush.
They know that acquiring even a hint of an impression of being an American lapdog does not go down well with the folks back home these days, especially when they are facing an election.
It was not always so. There was a time when foreign leaders running for re-election would fall over themselves backwards to gambol and cavort with the President of the United States.
Being viewed as important enough to command some personal attention from the world's pre-eminent leader was sure to bolster electoral support at home.
Other leaders would bask in the American president's glow, knowing that the next day's front pages would not thrust an aura of statesmanship upon them but would relegate their rivals to page 26.
But give the strong, almost visceral sentiments that Mr Bush arouses, that is no longer the case. Today, many leaders facing re-election would find their campaign managers advising them that a visit from him might not be such a good idea.
In fact, coddling up to Mr Bush might turn out to be a kiss of death for their election prospects.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Anzar found that out the hard way. He lo ¶ 6/13/2004 06:01:00 pm
