"The Emerging European Influence" powerful, true Dean column today.

[madfloridian]

Thanks again, Gov. Dean, for pointing out the obvious. They are gaining in influence, we are losing, very simply put.

http://www.caglecartoons.com/previewColumn.asp?columnID={FF9FBFA5-CF96-4FF1-8852-47FA9593A8B2}

The Emerging European Influence

By Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.

SNIP..."Amid the wreckage of President Bush's foreign policy, the United States is at its lowest popularity in decades in every corner of the globe. America’s dominance on the foreign stage was prominent four years ago, but now Europe is beginning to emerge as the champion of Western values, as it becomes less politically dependent on America.

Since President Bush alienated most of our traditional European allies over the Iraq War, there are signs that the European community is finally getting serious about its future and its responsibility.

The European Union has rewritten its Constitution to make decision making easier, never an easy task with 25 member states. France, Britain and Germany recently negotiated a deal with Iran to halt their nuclear program. We are right to be skeptical about whether such an agreement will be honored by the Iranians, but the attempt at least postpones the siren songs of the Neoconservatives who want to do in Iran what President Bush did in Iraq...." END SNIP

[Cheswick2.0]

1. This is interesting and I am GLAD europe is stepping in and fixing what

Bush broke.


I know these steps are small and somewhat shaky, but they are incredibly important. Europe is beginning to assert its leadership and independence, filling the vacuum left by America's unrealistic and occasionally petulant foreign policy. In the long run, a strong, independent Europe can pick up the leadership role abandoned by President Bush. And, a strong, independent Europe can continue to promote values such as democracy, tolerance and a more benign form of capitalism in developing countries.

Many people in developing nations are beginning to give up on both democracy and capitalism. And, it’s not a wonder why - multinational corporations, undeterred by labor protections that exist in the developed world have made life harder for many of the world’s citizens – not easier. The developing world needs a more respected salesperson than George Bush to show them that a democratic society and capitalism works. In the absence of American leadership, it seems that Europe is emerging as that salesperson.

[madfloridian]

2. Belgian friend lives in the building with EU leaders....he will like this.

He is always keeping me up to date on views from across the pond. He will so much appreciate this column.

The sad part is that under Bush, we have lost our leadership to them...that is sad. It is good to hear it said. It is not good it is happening.

[MasonJar]

4. Why? We are not doing the right things by the needy and the

planet. Some other forces need to take charge.

[madfloridian]

6. I don' t understand your question.

We failed, Europe is picking up the leadership. Isn't that what I said?

[oneighty]

3. 180 said-two years or more back

"A successful European Union and peace in the Middle East is the last thing this administration wants."

And it still is.

180

[madfloridian]

8. Oneighty is usually right, too.

:hi:

[oneighty]

9. Hey madfloridian!

I hope you all are well!

We have lots of snow, and ice, and wind, and Friday coming it is going to hit fifty degrees and rain!

Did I mention? You are too kind.

180

[madfloridian]

10. Today we had sunshine, in the 50s.

Chilly but not uncomfortable.
:hi:

[MessiahRp]

5. It wasn't mentioned but...

I believe the EU voted to create a military system united for all of the EU. I think France pushed hardest for it but it makes sense that the EU feels it needs it's own military force to offset American military power.

We should start thinking seriously about this.

The EU forms it's own joint military, Russia is run by a communistic-like authoritarian leader who is working on strengthening their military, China is still strong militarily and Iran and North Korea have Nukes. Not exactly a world we should have a jackass like Bush pissing people off in, is it?

Rp

[madfloridian]

7. Amen.

:hi:

[madbelgiancow]

48. "EU voted to create a military system united for all of the EU"

Well, not really,

During the "chocolate summit" as your leader dubbed it, the heads of state from Belgium, France and Germany met (in Brussels, Belgium) and discussed the idea.

At present it's only in the idea stage AFAIK.

I would totally support ONE EU political voice and ONE military though. Long overdue, and Bush* has provided the incentive to put this on the fast track by trying to divide us so obviously.

[aneerkoinos]

49. Bit more than idea

Common defence is in the new Constitution, if it gets accepted, but EU has already established some common European troops under joint EU military command independent of NATO, and military integration is now moving fastest.

[madfloridian]

11. In regards to Turkey...and EU membership.

From the column:..."Perhaps the most courageous development that the emerging European Union has undertaken is the new willingness to consider Turkey as a member. This is unpopular in most European countries among voters, yet the European Union leadership gets high marks for realizing that the long term future of Western values may well depend on true economic integration with Muslim nations that are still attracted to Western democratic ideals. "

Here is an article from CNN about the topic.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/16/eu.turkey.ap/

I just thought this part was ironic, considering our behavior in Iraq.
SNIP.."When the European Parliament backed the membership talks with a vote of 407 to 262, it also urged Ankara to carry out more democratic reforms and move toward recognizing Cyprus.

The parliament and EU leaders want Ankara to meet demands for a "zero-tolerance" approach to torture, which many still say is still being carried out by authorities in Turkey....."

What a strange world this has become.

[InvisibleBallots]

12. Dean is one of the few that seems to get this

"Many people in developing nations are beginning to give up on both democracy and capitalism. And, it’s not a wonder why - multinational corporations, undeterred by labor protections that exist in the developed world have made life harder for many of the world’s citizens – not easier."

Pretending this is not so is as delusional as pretending deficits don't matter. At least Dean gets it.

[madfloridian]

13. In his book, he tells of his journeys in mind-changing about NAFTA.

It is very interesting reading, in fact. He actually really was not that aware of the great impact it had been having the heartland, and he goes into more detail.

I wish everyone could read this, it is simple, clear, and it totally debunks the image some here hold of him.

Yes, he gets it. He is very concerned about this country. He makes it clear. I don't hear others really saying it that clearly.

Our Democrats have got to speak up. I know they can speak out more on the air than they are doing. So many people would wake up if they were told the truth.

[lojasmo]

14. Gasp! But Dean has no forign policy experience!

How could he write a cogent article about european consolidation of influence in the global arena?

Heh. Thanks, Madfla!

[madfloridian]

15. Here is an easier to read version without all the flashing ads.

I found it hard to read the other with the distraction of the blinking ads.

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_16619.shtml

SNIP.."Amid the wreckage of President Bush's foreign policy, the United States is at its lowest popularity in decades in every corner of the globe. America's dominance on the foreign stage was prominent four years ago, but now Europe is beginning to emerge as the champion of Western values, as it becomes less politically dependent on America."

Sad statement, but true.

[madfloridian]

22. "claiming the deficit is irrelevant....harms.. our strength as a nation."

I am glad this is being said...the Republicans just keep ignoring the deficit.

SNIP..."The Euro is at an all time high against the dollar, since the members of the European Union are actually trying to keep their budgets in balance. They are not always successful, but making the effort promotes investment. Claiming that deficits are irrelevant, as the American Republicans do, is not only delusional, but it harms the value of the dollar, and ultimately our strength as a nation..."

[Mountainman]

16. Maybe it's because I'm a sore looser but I'm glad we are falling apart.

I'm not sure why I feel this way. I think I want Americans to get what's coming to them. Those who voted for Bush I mean, but it will have a disastrous effect on all of us I'm afraid.
But deep down inside me, my anger is coated over by the thought that those who elected Bush have not only screwed us but have really screwed themselves and I want it to really hurt them bad. So the more this country falls by the wayside the better I'm beginning to feel. I know I'm crazy but that's how I feel.

[madfloridian]

17. You should not be glad about it. I disagree.

This is a painful time in our history.

[CJCRANE]

19. It's sad,

but a lot of people around the world probably feel the same way.

[greenohio]

20. "I think I want Americans to get what's coming to them. "

There 50% (or more) of the country doesn't deserve it.

[aneerkoinos]

50. Why?

Do you mean those who voted Nader or didn't vote? ;)

It seems the purpose of Democratic party is to keep US people ignorant (just more sophisticated way than the other wing), pacified and directing their energy into frustration instead of working effectively for a change. Kerry was a tool of that Democratic party, very succesfull one.

Other American countries like Venezuela have thrown out their corrupt two party system, US people need to do the same.

[txaslftist]

18. Well, when one runner drops the torch...

another has to pick it up. Even the torch of democratic liberalism. Good for them, but bad for us. This may be the kind of news/opinion that proves a catalyst for change. One can hope anyway.

When the Euro is the standard international currency and they send our soldiers in Europes many US bases home with a polite thank you but we don't need you anymore, maybe that will wake some folks up to realize that we've become an international pariah.

We need a new leader with vision to revive our image abroad.

[madfloridian]

21. Yes, we need a new leader. Our neighbors just cancelled trip to London.

They had it planned for a while, they were homesick for their old home. It was just too expensive to make it enjoyable.

[Tinoire]

23. Oh boy Dr Dean.

Speak out against the neo-liberals too and I will LOVE you forever (overlooking a few things of coure ;)!

He speaks SO clearly. Now why can't any of the others pack a wallop like that in short sentences everyone can understand?

Dean is being nice. Way too nice. The Europeans saw this coming from a mile away before Bush II. Bush II just dealt the relationship its coup de grace. IMO, when Bush Sr burned them over Iraq I, they understood they had better unite quickly. Then came Clinton's trade wars (ie Boeing vs Airbus & the banana wars). Finally came the Oil War III which is being fought more to determine if the dollar or the Euro will be OPECs currency than it is for the oil itself.

Oh boy Dean. Keep talking because no one else is saying these things and they need to be said!

If Bush takes one more step towards Iran, it's over for us as a superpower. China and Russia, with huge interests in Iran/Caspian sea, are about to hold their first ever joint military exercise. Bush's little trick in Ukraine is not amusing Putin. Nor is that last PNAC letter from September.

Thank you Howard. Thank you for trying to stop this country from going off the brink!

[Eloriel]

24. Ain't he great?

I LOVE this man. Love his clarity of sight, thinking and speaking. And his forthright BOLDNESS of speaking. I love it like a long cool drink after days in the desert.

[madfloridian]

25. "packing a wallop in short sentences" AND mentioning Neocons.

Doesn't get better than that.

[depakid]

26. Yep- it doesn't get any better than this

Straightforward analysis written in simple language that even Republicans (errr- maybe not Republicans) can ubderstand.

[Capn Sunshine]

27. Remind me again why this doesn't represent ALL of us?

I think it does.

[XemaSab]

28. Howard Dean:

Patron Saint of Common Sense

[madfloridian]

29. Here is the intro article he wrote for the new TomPaine site. May 19

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/the_good_doctor_speaks.php

The Good Doctor Speaks
Howard Dean
May 19, 2004

We hear a lot of rhetoric from liberals and Democrats about "taking America back" this election year. But what exactly are they talking about? Howard Dean sets his sights beyond the 2004 election, getting specific on a progressive agenda for America.

Gov. Dean will receive the Tom Paine Award at the Take Back America conference, June 2-4, 2004.

I'm proud to welcome you to the new TomPaine.com. It promises to be more courageous, comprehensive and informative than ever. And it's produced in partnership with the Institute for America's Future—a forerunner of the new breed of organizations that are challenging the conservative dominance of public debate and decision-making.

If Tom Paine were alive, he'd be right at home at the website that bears his name. Born in Britain, he moved to Pennsylvania after he was fired from his job for trying to organize a union. A journalist and agitator, his manifesto Common Sense inspired the colonists to fight for their freedom against King George III.

In those days, muckraking movement-builders published pamphlets. These days, they produce websites, like TomPaine.com. And, if the brave band of revolutionaries who founded our republic were with us today, they'd mobilize to take back our country.

What the Founding Generation feared most has come to pass in America today. Economic power has seized control of political power. The multinational corporations, financial interests and special interest lobbyists who Harry Truman called the "special privilege boys" are writing the rules for the economy, while the rest of us are struggling to make our voices heard....."END SNIP

Howard Dean receives the Tom Paine award in June at the Take Back America Conference.

[XemaSab]

31. What exactly is that award?

Did they swipe it from "Motor Trend" or what?

[madfloridian]

32. Here are some links. It is a new site from Take Back America group.

http://www.tompaine.com/
Here is the homepage. The award is new, I think, and the site had Dean post when it was newly updated.

Here is the group to which it is connected.
http://www.ourfuture.org/

Videos and transcripts of conferences are available there as well as pictures.

The conference from June is still available at C-Span I think.
There were many great speakers.

Dean with Roger Hickey the director of the group.

[janx]

33. Research Thomas Paine. Go to a library. n/t

[XemaSab]

34. I was referring

to the shape of the award Dean was holding in his hand. The actual, physical award.

I'm a wiseass. I make wiseass remarks. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes they just mystify people who don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Someday scientists will find the wiseass gene and I will be cured, but until then I will be insufferable.

Cheers. :-)

[madfloridian]

35. I have not been able to get a clearer picture of it.

It was weird looking I know. I would love to see it. When Dean got the Backbone Award, I thought it looked strange. This is stranger.

[XemaSab]

36. Frankly

The Stanley Cup and Oscar are the only two awards I can think of that don't look like something you'd find after a plane crash.

[madfloridian]

37. Ok, see if you can enlarge this one. It is weird looking.

It has a multi-colored base, and a plastic or glass top that is odd-shaped.

[XemaSab]

38. Odd stuff

n/t

[janx]

42. I was the one who sounded like the wiseass!

I know the gene well. Maybe we're related!

:toast:

[XemaSab]

44. It's all good

n/t

[gorbal]

30. I wish they would infuence "us" a little more

Well, maybe they are a bit. I heard that The Thom Hartman show is doing a lot to sell organic wine:)

[jswordy]

39. Oh Howard, why do you want to be DNC chair...

...when you would be so much better for the party running for president again?

Sigh...I am so torn about it. The chairmanship seems a lesser use of Dean's talents and drawing power than another candidacy would be. And he has said he won't run again if he is elected chair.

But I take heart that he has a snowball's chance in hell of being elected chairman by the wimpy state chairfolks. So there is still a chance he will be able to run for prez again!

I can see it now...Dean wages another outside campaign from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party against the New Democratic GOP Lite Rightist Establishment, led by Chairman Tim Roemer.

Howard, where do I sign up?

[madfloridian]

40. I do love your way with words, jswordy.

That is just about how I feel. Very mixed.

Welcome to DU.
:hi:

[jswordy]

46. Thanks. I've been lurking for months!

:hi:

[madfloridian]

47. Well, quit lurking and join the fray.

:hi:

[Gyre]

41. Can we clone him?

Why is clarity and intelligence so marginalized by the democratic party?

Gyre

[shance]

43. LOL!! Now there's an idea.

We could use more with his conviction and caliber couldn't we?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

45. The world has to change now and step up to the plate and hit....

some runs. The world is changing and they must be several Superpowers to balance one another from overreaching.

Europe is first, then will come China, Japan, and India.

[moggie12]

51. Wrong argument

Dems have got to stop framing foreign relations issues in
terms of whether we are "respected abroad",
particularly in Europe.  American voters don't care what the
French think of us (typical American view:  "We had to
save those French sissies in WWI and WWII).  This issue needs
to be framed as follows:  US Government needs to have close
working relationship with foreign governments so we can fight
the war on terror.  US has to work with other countries to
choke off the terrorists' money supply, identify terror cells,
etc.

We need to give Americans pragmatic reasons for our policies.
Kerry might have won if he'd been able to articulate what
exactly an "intelligent war on terror" would
involve.  "Respected in the World" sounded like it
was an end in itself, or simply necessary to avoid us the
emotional pain of being mocked by Parisians.   

[madfloridian]

52. Actually he is pointing out our loss of leadership.

He used the word respected only once. We are losing our "influence" and we are losing the "leadership" of the world. Europe is gaining, we are losing.

I see your point, but this column does not emphasize respect..instead it calls attention to the fact that new leaders are emerging. I think that should bother folks.

[moggie12]

56. Yes, but...

I just wish Dems would talk to Americans in language that PERSUADES -- that tackles Bush's premises head on and shows why Bush policies are so counterproductive. Dean talks about America being at its "lowest level of popularity". Assuming some "persuadable" non-doctrinaire potential Dem voter actually took the time to read what Dean wrote, he turned them off right there. My point is that Dean and all Dems need to launch a frontal assault on the "Bush mush" that fills many voters' heads these days and they can't do it if they're not attacking the central premises of the Bush arguments. It's not enough to bemoan our "loss of leadership" when many Americans couldn't care less what European politicians think or do. Bush has successfully tapped into Americans' "go-it-alone", independent streak as well as decades of anger at the UN, etc. Sadly, we need to EXPLAIN to many Americans why unilateralism is "bad". Before we can persuade, we have to understand what it is about the Bush mush that so appeals to many Americans. In this case, it's this: Many Americans think it's great that we're taking a "tough" stand and dissing appeasement-oriented Europeans.

[madfloridian]

57. He has done all you asked for two years...he has attacked.

Have you not followed the campaign or DFA at all? He has done that. Goodness, no one else is even speaking out now at all, and he gets attacked for this wonderful column?

No wonder our country is in trouble.

[moggie12]

58. Ummm, that's not what I was saying..

I'm sorry, I must not have expressed my thoughts clearly. I was in no way "attacking" Dr. Dean's column -- I agree with what he said. In fact, I wish more Americans would listen to him. My point was that perhaps more would if Dean and Dems starting talking about international cooperation differently, i.e., not leading off with talking about how unpopular America is in the world these days. I think people we might otherwise persuade "turn off" when we frame the issue that way.

[madfloridian]

59. The problem with that view is this.

The ones who do not care about our country's honor and dignity, and the way we are viewed by the world are not likely to even listen to any Democrat at all.

We are so divided that that the ones that extreme, who think our place as a respected leader does not matter....they are the ones who listen to Rush, Savage, Hannity et al. They are brainwashed for the future until the right wing hate radio stops.

We need to talk to those who still have a mind left.

So our point of disagreement is that we are not likely to persuade anyone who does not care about our country's role as leader.

[Dancing_Dave]

53. Great little column!

None of the info is news to me, but I like the way Howard expresses what needs to be said.:loveya:

[Cha]

54. Hi Madfloridian!

I have been offline for so long now..nice to come back and see this by Dean.

"The Euro is at an all time high against the dollar, since the members of the European Union are actually trying to keep their budgets in balance. They are not always successful, but making the effort promotes investment. Claiming that deficits are irrelevant, as the American Republicans do, is not only delusional, but it harms the value of the dollar, and ultimately our strength as a nation."

Happy New Year! :party:

[madfloridian]

55. I noticed. Sent you a PM days ago.

Glad to see you back.

:hi: