So now the democrats have a clear majority in the house and (probably) in the senat. This is undoubtly a good thing,
but to me as a remote observer and only indirectly affected person, this is not a victory. It has the potential
to become one, but in itself a election win doesn't mean that much to me. Things have become better, but not good.
So let me as a european citicen articulate some questions ..
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. But I'm worried about you, my poor King. ...
I don't want to sound pessimistic, because thats not how i feel, it's more like curiosity, combined with a
little bit of optimism. But when i see diaries here titled 'Faith in America restored', i have to disagree. Its not restored,
not at all, it's only a step into the right direction. Because I'm not sure what the democrats will now fight for.
Of course they will investigate the cronyism and corruption in the the bushco government. But thats normal proceeding,
the next fight for presidency is only two years away. But what else? For a immediate retreat from Iraq? I doubt that,
probably it will more look like a mid- to longtime plan. Even more important: What about reparations for Iraq? Their
infrastructure is destroyed, their oil is in american hands .. what are you gonna do about it?
What about the ecological problems, will the democrats fight for the kyoto protocol? What will they do about
palestine, will they speak to the isreal government seriously (and with that, fighting worldwide terrorism for the
first time in years)?
There is a international court in Den Haag that is used to judge for instance (international) war crimes, and George W.
has declared more than once that this court can judge whoever it wants, but no US citicen .. will that be changed?
Allow me to have some doubts.
But while i'm mostly interested in (US) foreign policy, there are other very interesting topics. What about
habeas corpus for instance, or the patriot act, what about the torture laws or DCMA?
In a documentation i saw recently a old and a young man, both from egypt, discussing 9/11 and the world after.
The old man was unable to express any compassion for the new york victims, and the young man argued
that these victims where completely innocent civilians, and the old man responded '.. in these countries
they have democracies, they elect their politicians, they control their military, how can they be innocent?'
With 'these countries' he refered to the USA and Israel. Think about it for a second.
in a year or two i will tell you if thats been a victory ..
And now i forget all my questions, raise my glass to all these brave and hard working kossaks that managed to make
life of this pesky president and his neocon gang much much harder. CHEEEEEERS! (or, as we would say here, PROST!)