(April 27, 2011 at 1:06 pm)DeistPaladin Wrote: My only regret is that we spent our last decade or so as a world leader tearing down all the world's progress toward international law.
We haven't always done the right thing but what made me proud of my country up until the end of the 90s is how we've made the effort to bring the world together. First there was Wilson's 14 points, then the League of Nations, then the United Nations. If the human race is to survive, we MUST come together. The problems we face in our technological adolescence can't be solved otherwise.
If you had told me during the 90s what was to come in the next decade, I would not have believed you. W Bush destroyed so much, including our reputation. His foreign policy had America acting like a swaggering bully, exiting treaties and invading countries at any whim. His very doctrine reserved the right to commit wars of aggression. "International law for thee, not for me" was the message to the world.
When our invasion of Iraq turned out to be based on bogus claims, I thought Bush could write off re-election. Stories of torture and illegal spying should have sealed his fate. Unfortunately, propaganda is a powerful tool and we Americans have proven to be just as susceptible to it as anyone else. His re-election was America's tacit approval. Forgive us world, we know not what we do.
Obama has missed America's chance at redemption. Had we investigated and prosecuted the Bush administration, or turned them over to the Hague for international trial, I think it would have done much to restore our credibility.
Can we hope that China will do a better job promoting international law and justice?
The fundamental basis of China's notion of international law appears to be incompatible to ours. China seem to regard the ultimate foundation of international law to be the almost abosolute sanctity of a national government within its own borders, and the complete absence of any universal value across government other than the convenience of Chinese commerce and trade.
