When you're NOT a candidate, you get to say what you really think.

[laststeamtrain]

<snip>

Here is a quick tour de force of grim global realities and America's eroding position from Senator Hagel's comments before a session organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies:

"Martial law declared in Pakistan; state of emergency in Georgia; Turkey threatens to invade Iraq; six members of the Afghan parliament along with scores of others killed in one of Afghanistan's largest ever suicide attacks; an escalating drumbeat of U.S.-Iran tensions; seventy six U.S. Senators supported a resolution urging the President to designate an entire branch of Iran's military as a terrorist organization. . .and the President announced unprecedented unilateral sanctions against Iran's forces; and, finally, President Bush warned of World War III unless Iran acts to stop its efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability.

"These events are one frame of a broad confluence of events occurring in the world today. In the Middle East, Iraq is mired in a deep and dangerous civil war, with dim prospects for national political reconciliation. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict festers and worsens, and intra-Palestinian divisions present a pivotal obstacle, creating uncertain prospects for a U.S.-hosted peace conference. Syria is ostracized and insecure. Lebanon is paralyzed by a devastating political deadlock; Iran casts an unpredictable and ominous shadow over the region; and Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are trapped in this dangerous net.

"Globally, our relations with Russia have sunk to a new post-Cold War low. U.S.-Turkey relations are in tatters over our inability to translate Turkey's 21st Century Government and objectives into a relationship of mutual interests that has been the case since World War II. The U.S.-India civil nuclear assistance deal has been set back and is now in a state of uncertainty. Afghanistan continues to lose ground. . .including record-breaking opium production. . .and Al Qaeda has re-emerged stronger than at any time since it was ousted from Afghanistan six years ago. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan represents the most dangerous zone in the world. . .and we have little control and limited influence over it. Nuclear armed India casts a wary eye on its nuclear armed neighbor to the west.

"And, the price of oil edges close to $100 per barrel. Record-breaking energy prices and surging demand are reshaping the global geopolitical economic power landscape. . .from Russia, China and India. . .to Angola, Nigeria, Venezuela, Norway. . .and the United States. The world is witnessing a diffusion of power never seen before that will increasingly be the norm for the 21st century.

"Events are overtaking governments as they swirl in wild gyrations around us. All too often, we mistakenly try to compartmentalize and isolate events and issues, and do not stop to consider how a series of events are interconnected and impact the world. No nation can affect these events acting alone. Unless nations work to shape, influence and guide the course of global events, events will shape themselves…and the world, leading to an ever more dangerous planet."

<more>

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002510.php

[TwilightGardener]

1. Well, that pretty much sums up the state of the world. Too bad Chuck didn't

want to take it on as Prez--he's got as good a grasp on things as anyone (right up there with Biden, Kerry and Clark, IMO).

[razors edge]

2. Stating the obvious is reserved for

committees and such, pandering for lobbyists, that leaves only spin and avoidance to woo the AADD riddled voters as they form their political opinions from 15 second sound bites, looking to see which candidate will either give them more of someone else's money, or take less of their own to give away.

But it isn't really our fault for being so cynical and money obsessed, they taught it to us with great care, and I think we have come to a point where the majority of Americans are glad to be rid of the burdens of freedom and caring.

Pass the chips, got any more beer? Mind if I put on the game?

[laststeamtrain]

4. I think I might add Bill Richardson to your list.

It's that sense that there's a mind at work. A plan & an idea or six about how to move ahead.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Yes, you're right--forgot about Richardson--another foreign-policy long-range thinker.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Read the rest of the speech---this was beautiful:

"America must not allow itself to become paralyzed by a fear that erodes our self confidence and trust in our Constitution and each other...

...Rather than acting like a nation riddled with the insecurities of a schoolyard bully, we ought to carry ourselves with the confidence that should come from the dignity of our heritage. . .from the experience of our history. . .and from the strength of our humanity. . .not from the power of our military."

This was an awesome speech from my Senator--kick!