People all over the world have fought over all sorts of things for thousands of years. Some of it will continue. Some of it will indeed be resolved by words. Others will need to be resolved by war.
Our willingness to use the sword in the past is what gives us the necessary leverage to use words. Sadly, we have to be willing to go to war again if necesssary to maintain this leverage.
Don’t take my word for it. History speaks for itself.
No Dr. Canuck, I believe dshepard is referring to the policy of ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’ that I think was popularized by Churchill (citation needed, this may be erroneous). I do not believe he’s advocating attacking anyone in particular here. He is stating that if a country has a certain proven willingness to draw blood then that country will have greater success at being taken more seriously at the negotiation table. One may point out that a country that is too willing to use it’s muscle loses credibility at the table as well.
Yes, it was TR. The big stick policy works if you feel you have to control what’s going on in other countries. Most of the countries of the world do not carry that big stick. It’s not necessary to get along, only to control.
Unless we have hegemonic aspirations, all we really have to show is a willingness to defend ourselves.
Right_On almost 15 years ago
This is classic. The Obamessiah.
danielsangeo almost 15 years ago
Classic. Like witches that melt when they get wet.
BobRivas almost 15 years ago
Let’s say,”Hell no to the manipulators!” and let our people live.
dshepard almost 15 years ago
Talk about Obama way over-glorified.
People all over the world have fought over all sorts of things for thousands of years. Some of it will continue. Some of it will indeed be resolved by words. Others will need to be resolved by war.
Our willingness to use the sword in the past is what gives us the necessary leverage to use words. Sadly, we have to be willing to go to war again if necesssary to maintain this leverage.
Don’t take my word for it. History speaks for itself.
TrickyPickle almost 15 years ago
No Dr. Canuck, I believe dshepard is referring to the policy of ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’ that I think was popularized by Churchill (citation needed, this may be erroneous). I do not believe he’s advocating attacking anyone in particular here. He is stating that if a country has a certain proven willingness to draw blood then that country will have greater success at being taken more seriously at the negotiation table. One may point out that a country that is too willing to use it’s muscle loses credibility at the table as well.
cdward almost 15 years ago
Yes, it was TR. The big stick policy works if you feel you have to control what’s going on in other countries. Most of the countries of the world do not carry that big stick. It’s not necessary to get along, only to control.
Unless we have hegemonic aspirations, all we really have to show is a willingness to defend ourselves.