The Poodle, at Davos Econ Conf, made some good points re: US role

[pinto]

in the world. And we didn't even send an economic representative...?

He made the case that if we, as the "only world power", expect concurrence on an agenda we need to put some effort into engaging the world players.

Engagement seemed to be his key phrase, and I think he is speaking for Europe in this venue.

Our unilateralism is being "discussed".

I have no illusions about Blair's alliances, but I thought his comments, in a European setting, were interesting.

[cthrumatrix]

1. the global elite have made a decision.... the US is going to be in for som

tough times....

The days of the $ as the reserve currency of choice across oil and other could be next.

[pinto]

2. yeah, I think rumblings are growing. I hear the Saudis may consider Euro.

and the recent statements from a Chinese economist - I don't think he was a gov't rep - about the Yuan were, how do you say, "telling".

[welshTerrier2]

3. "Our unilateralism is being "discussed"."

I would make the following adjustment to the statement that "our unilateralism is being discussed" ... i think most in the world understands that what we're seeing is "bush's unilateralism" ...

Clinton engaged other countries, especially Europe ...

Now with bush, they're "Old Europe" and we're sitting here on our own eating "freedom fries" ...