[tripleblack]

Good editorial recounting the recent events that have seen NATO member Turkey slip under the control of the Islamist movement.

Caroline Glick : How Turkey Was Lost - Townhall.com

This is just the first of many such cataclysms, with several European nations tottering.

Note the frequent criticism of the Bush administration - criticism which I believe is richly deserved.

I would only add that the boldness of the rush to finish this dissolution of Turkey's long time ties to the United States and the West comes now because they have no fear or respect for our current government.

So now we see the impact of bumbling by Bush enabling the destruction under Obama.

[Jwalks]

Really good article that shows how you truely can watch a friendly state do a complete 180. Just shows that even though these countries are friendly now they not stay that way. Fortunately with some diplomacy, not just talking and bending over backwards for them but actual diplomacy with give and take, some of the countries that are enimies can become friends. It does work both ways.

Unforunately the current elected government in the US does not believe in give and take, just give give. This isn't even a conventional liberal government. Even a liberal government gets the fact that if you always give you will be no further ahead in the end than when you started. In teh current case, the US is further behind than when Obama started. I can also admit that I thought Obama could do some good things with the US. He had some good ideas, but he has no actual backbone and seems as though he is afraid to actually run the country for fear that someone could blame him for something. I will give him one thing for his first almost year in office ... He can deliver one hell of a speach, even if the speach has no content.

(Sorry for kinda leading in a different direction than just the Turkish issue ... I get carried away every now and then)

[shartley]

Personally I say the US needs to stop worrying about what other countries think about us. We need to stop meddling in their business as well. If they ASK for help, give them help and don't be afraid to expect something in return. If they become a threat, step on them.

I don't choose my actions in life based on how someone else may think of me. I do what is right, or what I think is right. And I do what is best for me and my family, and also keep in mind how that might affect others. If it negatively affects others then I think of something else that will not be a detriment to my family. And I think that is how the US as a nation should act.

Then we will see who our TRUE friends are. And our true friends will not abandon us if we should do something they may not like or agree with.

Okay... I do tend to be a bit on the Isolationist side of things too. LOL