I waited all morning (and into the afternoon) for the fine folks at Crooks and Liars to share the Stephen Colbert clip from last night in which he tears into Australian Prime Minister John Howard (after first tipping his hat in agreement) for criticizi…

Loafing,

Yeah. Isn’t it the pits when politicians make critical foreign policy decisions without bothering to address the consequences of their actions?

Americans tend to forget how much the world is dependent upon the USA to keep everyone safe. We are the Don, The mafia Godfather of the world. Whenever any country does something ornery the first thing they ask themselves is “What will the USA most likely do if we do this or that?”

Whenever anyone does anything the first thing to ask is how will the USA respond. Secondly the USA must understand that when they do something they must ask themselves How will the world respond.

We are that important to this world. Those that just cant wait for our demise and our slipping into the history books and becoming like France dont realize who is waiting to take our Place.

CHINA.

I wouldnt be in such a hurry to make that happen. John Howard has a legitimate concern about who is elected president, just as Vladimir Putin pretty much voiced his concern as well.

While who the USA elects to the White House is the decision of the American people, the results of that election effect the entire world moreso than the election of any other leader in the world. Some leaders around the world have been very critical of Bush. For example, Royal in France has referred to Bush’s policies as insane. She has a right to say that if it’s what she believes.

If John Howard feels strongly that an Obama presidency would be good for al Qaeda in Iraq, he should say it. I’m tired of people who want to pull out of Iraq not wanting to address what will happen there after a premature pull out. IMO, it would be terrible for the world, for America, for Australia, and particularly for the Iraqi people. It’s time for people like Obama to address that. Nobody has to censor themselves to be polite. Many lives and the landscape of the world are hanging in the balance.

Chris, believe it or not, when the US sees itself justified in opining or directly interfering with the affairs of other nations, the people of those nations complain. You don’t hear about it because the US media doesn’t tell you, but from the other side of the Atlantic I assure you that silent, people are not on the subject.

I’m sure you’re right. My point is that no one in the United States thinks it’s wrong for us to meddle. It’s a double-standard.

Really? And what record would that be, exactly?

You didn’t have to be a Democrat to be ticked off at Australian Prime Minister John Howard for saying the terrorists were praying for an Obama victory. Conservative Captain Ed sharply chided Howard for having “stepped over the line.”……

Note that I said “leader”. I don’t think Kerry’s sister qualifies as a national leader, and thus that is a different situation.

…

Frankly, I think that given the Democrats’ record in foreign affairs, the Australians have more reason to be concerned with the outcome of our elections than we have to be indignant at their uppity voicing of their opinions.

And the Obama campaign’s reprehensibly ignorant response to Howard’s comments only helps to confirm that Obama is not ready for the world stage yet…

Inexperience in action.