[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I didn't say one was worse than the other Lanny. You went off on something I didn't even begin to comment on.

I didn't mean to make that sound like I was replying just to you Dis, but in general those that may have a very short memory, or maybe not quite aware of the scope of Bush's transgressions while in office. Also wanted to point out the difference between Clinton's situation and the Bush situation.

How could they build internantional credit for throwing Bush under the bus, quietly?

There are a lot of countries in the world that have distanced themselves from the United States because of Bush's actions. There are a lot that would like to see the United States assume the moral high ground again. The only way to achieve that moral high ground would be to distance the new administration, and the country itself, from Bush and his administration. I feel this best way to do that would be to appeal to the world through the use of a world body that the United States, under Bush, has completely ignored and even shown great contempt for. That body would be the World Court. If America were seen offering up one of its own it would be viewed as being willing to do the right thing.

You can't exactly take credit for something you are trying to keep quiet. Either way, quietly or boisterously, it wouldn't be a smart move at all.

Why not? The Bush administration has been doing it since they took office. They are the most secretive administration that has been in office in my life time, and they routinely take as much credit as they can for anything they perceive as being good. And I disagree that it wouldn't be a smart move. I think it would be the best move America could make at this point. The confidence in America is at an all time low all around the world. That needs to be restored first and foremost. Good lord, look at the mess international affairs are in because of the absolutely brutal job Bush has done manipulating Iraq. America needs friends right now, and the only way to earn the trust is to make a big public display of humility and what many would consider the right thing to do.

Nothing like starting off a new, fresh era with more divisive action. It's time to unite, not divide and spread more hate.

You look at it from the perspective of the United States and getting the red and blue states to see eye to eye. I look at it from a world perspective and trying to get America back on the moral high ground and begin the healing internationally. The world has become a much more dangerous place since Bush bumbled his way through the last 6 years. That needs to be healed or America could find itself in a world of hurt. I agree that healing needs to begin at home as well, but that is not going to happen with the next administration. It's going to be decades for the damage to be repaired in America, if it can ever be repaired at all. With all the divisive agents prevalent in this country, a change is not coming soon.