"Kerry's new army"

John Kerry political cartoon.

Mar. 21, 2004...

Kerry’s Internationalism
analysis by Roger Wm. Hughes

John Kerry sent his friend Sen. Ted (Chappaquiddick) Kennedy to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press. And Kennedy proved why he is the Democrat that Republicans hate and loathe, showing clearly that his arrogant, contemptuous, pugnaciousness (and that was his good side) had not diminished.

Besides calling President Bush a traitor, liar, criminal and the scourge of the earth, Kennedy once again the need for internationalizing our foreign policy and called our current allies nothing but a sham. Note: the allies that are not present who have any meaning to the current coalition are the French, Germans and Russians. These are the countries that Kerry’s proxy Sen. Kennedy, of course, is clamoring to be given greater sway and power over America’s foreign policy.

This push for greater internationalism is perplexing given the track records of France, Russia and lately Germany.

For years the French Foreign Minister has advocated Europe develop a stronger military force to offset America’s military might following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Prior to that time France, Germany and most other European countries except England did little in the way of keeping up with changing military technology. They chose instead to live under the umbrella of protection provided by America. And under their current administration, Germany has aligned with France.

These countries reaped a huge economic benefit of not having to spend on defense with the security provided by the U.S.

Sadly, their lack of military ability became apparent as Europe allowed the Serbian holocaust to occur. Now, the same American military that protected them and allowed them to avoid spending money on their own militaries has routed out Saddam Hussein. And in the process of removing him from power, these countries’ economic stability and influence in the world is threatened. Why? Because they can no longer secure their lucrative contracts with dictators like Saddam Hussein because the U. S. can act unilaterally.

Part of the problem is that Socialism in these country is bankrupting their ability to compete economically in the world save for economic isolationism that is further destroying their economy.

While there is a need to cooperate in the world, it does not make sense that America would seek to give greater power to faux-friends who want to curtail American influence and economic opportunity.

With Ted Kennedy barking for John Kerry on Meet the Press today advocating greater internationalization (France, Germany, Russia…) of our military efforts, Kerry’s intent comes into focus.

In examining Kerry’s record, it becomes clearer that Kerry is stuck in the 1960’s. The Washington Post point out that even President Bill Clinton wasn’t international enough for Kerry:

When President Bill Clinton referred to the United States as "the indispensable nation" during his second inaugural address in 1997, and then as other U.S. officials picked up the term, Sen. John F. Kerry recoiled. He turned to his longtime foreign policy aide Nancy Stetson to ask, "Why are we adopting such an arrogant, obnoxious tone?"

The part of the Post article regarding why Kerry is the way he is may have been said best by Robert Kagan.

"Robert Kagan, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said he senses that Kerry in recent years has been refashioning his foreign-policy persona, making it appear tougher, in preparation for a run for the presidency. "The question, setting aside the campaign, is: Where is John Kerry's heart?" said Kagan, who has advocated a muscular U.S. approach to world affairs. "My sense is his heart is in the anti-Vietnam, '70s-'80s left."