Seems like the period just before a Presidential election is the most fraught with danger for American foreign policy. There has to be a great temptation among the candidates to make policy statements based on the lowest common denominator of the electorate instead of what might be in the country’s best long-term interests. “Vote for me! I’m manlier! The other guy is a wimp!” Don’t get me wrong; there is a certain amount of that all year, every year. But, just before an election, when so much is at stake and when such declarations might actually motivate enough low-information American voters to make a difference; that’s dangerous timing.
We’ll see how this dynamic plays out with the attack on the Libyan consulate and the saber rattling of Israel toward Iran and attempts to lock the U.S. into Israeli policy decisions.
For only minimally coherent reasons, the dynamic reminds me of the Dropkick Murphys epic tune, “Barroom Hero”:
Face down in the gutter won’t admit defeat though his clothes are soiled and black,
He’s a big, strong man with a childs mind, don’t you take his booze away!He’s been at it for years drinking balls and beer he’s a hero to most he meets,
But inside he cries black swollen eyes, this man he sheds no tears!Now his wife and kids sing a different tune as they worry about their daddy dying,
But this arrogant fool breaks every rule it’ll be nothing but pride that kills him.Could he listen no he won’t that’s all she wrote he’ll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.He’s a legend in the bar with every scar fights a thousand bigger men,
But now he fights and loses got all the bruises will someone please step in?Cause this Irish fools got a great big heart he keeps climbing back in to the ring
In the low down circles where he holds his court this man he once was king.
I guess it’s the juxtaposition of being stupid, drunk, brave, and a hero to the folks at the bar; meanwhile the family is worried about their daddy dying.
I’ve been thinking that same thought this morning — ie, here comes the machismo contest. That you combined it with a Murphy’s song is just perfect.
Interesting analogy with the song.
Somehow, I cannot see Mitt swing a big pair in too many contexts. He was good at giving other preppies wedgies and noggies, but likely never wiped some bad ass in a bar fight. Probably never even been in a bar.
And I heard on NPR last evening that Democrats are outpolling Repuiblicans on foreign affairs and national security. But that is probably because there have been no major foreign policy setbacks and Bin Laden sleeps with the fishes.
What I find disgusting is the patent attempts by Israel to manipulate electoral politics in this country. Nothing new, of course. Israel is the tail that wags the US dog. Particularly offensive was Netanyahu’s comment about how would the US like to go back to the borders of 1846, pre-Mexican war land grab. How would Israel like to go back to the 1846 boundaries of the Ottoman Empire, smart guy?
Is Mr. Obama more manly for killing Bin Laden ? Is Mr. Romney more manly for promoting increased defense spending ? Is Netanyahu playing Israeli politics (timed with the US election) ?
sure enough, the romney campaign’s first reaction to the attack on the libyan consulate was to politicize it by accusing the president of “apologizing” to the attackers (when the supposed apology was actually issued hours before the attack).
All sides are condeming Romney and his team for his handling of the matter, including the highly politicized statements, the timing of his ill considered remarks and his team’s simple ability to read a clock.
Romney sounds more like a dick in this matter rather than the other male genitalia he wishes to put on display.
Netanyahu has injected himself directly into US electoral politics. Sad, that this country would allow such naked interference with its internal affairs by another nation.
http://start.toshiba.com/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CDA1B0TMG2%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011