Superbelt

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...o_030903055136

<blockquote>WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States sneered at plans by four European countries to create an autonomous European military command headquarters near Brussels separate from NATO (news - web sites), referring to the idea's proponents as "chocolate makers."

In unusually blunt language that drew surprised gasps from reporters, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher scoffed at Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg for continuing to support the proposal that they first introduced at a mini-summit in April.

He described the April meeting as one between "four countries that got together and had a little bitty summit" and then referred to them collectively as "the chocolate makers."<blockquote></p>
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This is really funny when we are already forced into what is almost a civil war in Iraq and when we have North Korea being psycho all over the place and our grip on Afghanistan is slipping away.

Taliban Guerillas take control of parts of Southern Afghanistan

Google hits of the same type

And this is happening because we can't afford to send any other troops over there to beat them back anymore. The Taliban is getting stronger in Afghanistan every day.

lurkette

Arrogance from the Bush administration doesn't surprise me any more.

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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

sixate

If I had my way the Taliban, along with many other terrorist groups/nations, would have been history two years ago.... We need to finish what we started cause if we don't we'll only create more problems.

ObieX

I agree. For some reason i get the idea that many in this administration liked throwing rocks at hornet's nests when they were little. They certainly enjoy stirring them up now.

Locobot

I think there's little that can save the Bush administration in the coming election. Only by infighting and incompetence on the part of their opponents will they win. Their snide arrogance, disrespect, and control of the media won't overcome their bait-and-switch methodologies. Americans have slightly better memories than that.

Shauk

youd be suprised how many people still support bush despite all the bad crap he's been ousted over. check out his popularity ratings and you start to feel like the minority after a while.

Macheath

Germans:"We understand, Mr Bush. After all, we are from the land of chocolate!''

Bush: "Mmm...The land of chocolate... "

<img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid77/p26a2a4f36c48f9770ae086dd57a3afba/fb2fae33.jpg">

lurkette

Fair enough, but...what does that have to do with the establishment of an EU military hq as an alternative to NATO? Did I miss something?

edit: sorry, didn't read the other two stories at the bottom of the original post. never mind!

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Superbelt

The Bush admin view of Europe

TaLoN

i really like that map. LONG LIVE BUSH

Silvy

Bush and his administration are complete and utter morons!

The only thing Bush has done since he's in office is keep is election vows...



....to the oil and weapon industries.

I could go on and on and on... *knock knock*

-There is a knock on the door-
"Are you silvy"
"Yeah, what.. whaaaaaaaaaa"

-connection reset by peer-
.....

__________________
"Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. "
- Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

Stare At The Sun

Man that map is funny

rgr22j

That map is great!

Still, I'm surprised at the uproar that this has caused. First, it's a pretty clever insult, more in line with the refined, sophisticated art of European condescension. I'm impressed it came from an American and not a Brit or a Frenchman. Maybe he stole it from one. And second, it isn't any different from Herta Daubler-Gmelin comparing Bush to Hitler or the "chocolate makers" calling Bush a cowboy. Just your everyday diplomatic childishness.

-- Alvin

Superbelt

Well this one is a little more important since we just went to the UN monday to beg them to send troops to Iraq.

Then we turn around and insult them the next day.

Would anyone expect anything other than a resounding Fuck Off Americans!! after that?

Arc101

Many countries in Europe are so concerned about Bush's foreign policy that they are banding together. Bush is managing to unite the world, but not to fight terrorism, but to try and stop him. Bush is the biggest threat to peace.

Superbelt

Europe needs to formally cut off diplomatic ties with America. They should say that they can no longer do business with the Bushes. That may help scare the swing voters towards the democrat for fear of economic sanctions.

Remember, the EU is now a bigger economy as a whole than the US.

mml

First, that map is great.

Second, this administration can't seem to follow through on any endeavor it pursues(except maybe the tax cuts - lucky us.) Afganistan, capturing Bin Laden, and a myriad of campaign promises that have not been followed up on.

Third, Bush/Cheney have assembled a truly sad bunch of folks to fill the numerous and vital positions throughout government. (What was Boucher thinking, we are in the process of asking for a favor from the international community and like it or not you have to kiss up a little to get a favor, you don't insult people.) The members of his administration who are impressive(Powell, Karen Hughes, Christie Whitman) have either left or been generally ignored on important issues.

Fourth, in his defense(and this is hard for me), Bush cannot be everywhere at once. He has an enormous load on his hands and unfortuately alot is slipping through his fingers. One person who has to take a great deal of the blame for the lack of consistancy and lack of discipline in this administration is the WH Chief of Staff Andy Card. Where is he? What does he do with his time? Basically, the White House staff has annoyed Congress, the Governors, the international community and literally millions of others and no one seems to be taken to task for it. The Chief of Staff is there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that when internal problems arise they are dealt with. This White House seems to think that if they or a member of the administration says something that offends, the offended should just get over it. Thats not the real world. If Bush doesn't go, Card should.

Fifth, I have rambled too long.

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
-Douglas Adams

james t kirk

The world has gone insane under W Bush.

He (and his administration) have driven wedges all over the world, used brick bats, say it how you want. The world today feels more segregated than i can EVER remember.

Mojo_PeiPei

I don't think its so much Bush has segregated the world, rather everyone's cards have been exposed.

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To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

CrazySaturn

Maybe it feels more segregated because the segregation is actually coming out now instead of being suppressed. This world has hated it's own guts for years, why deny it.

Anyways, as for Belgium, France, Germany, and Luxembourg uniting, the language used was a bit harsh, but why start another little mini-organization that won't do shit. Germany and France are the only two countries there with true international power, and France will try it's darndest to keep it's hands clean by using Germany as a shield. Without England, northern countries, and some of the Balkans, there is going to be NO WAY to create a central military command. It is away from every hot spot in Europe, as are the countries, while only 2 have any sufficient military power.

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What's the difference between you and a mallard with a cold? One's a sick duck...I can't remember how it ends, but your mother is a whore!

james t kirk

Essentially what you have is Europe opting out of the American controlled NATO.

NATO for all intents and purposes may be finished.

Whether or not Britain joins in is partly irrelevant since Britain has not adopted the Euro, nor do the British consider themselves European.

Not only that, but France has never been part of NATO.

Nitro

Sorry, but since 1949 France is a member of NATO.
They call it OTAN but it's still the same.

Also the NATO webpage lists them as members.

http://www.nato.int/structur/countries.htm

However it is true that France quit the NATO military command in 1966.

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO