I have some funny nickel taste in the back of my throat.
It’s induced by near-daily reminders that insane people are in control of this country.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice lambasted Moscow on Monday for using its oil and gas wealth as a “political weapon” and said democratic reforms would strengthen Russia’s ties with Washington.
In a speech on the state of U.S.-Russia relations, Rice conceded there was a “certain distance” between Washington and Moscow, but she rejected suggestions there had been a return to the frosty ties of the Cold War era.
Russia is a key energy supplier in Europe but it has reduced or even cut supplies over a range of disputes with neighboring countries. For example, this month, it threatened to reduce supplies in a dispute with Kiev over payments.
“We respect Russia’s interests, but no interest is served if Russia uses its great wealth, its oil and gas wealth, as a political weapon or that treats its independent neighbors as part of some old sphere of influence,” said Rice, an expert on the Soviet Union.
No American interest is served. That’s what she means. And America is allowed to use its great wealth as a political weapon, treating its independent neighbors as part of some sphere of influence. That’s just understood, as Chomsky would say…you aren’t even allowed to enter the debate unless you accept that as a given.
Look, if you’re still not sold, then what is Condi doing, if not exactly that? Isn’t she trying to wield America’s influence with the very act of this public statement? The thing she’s asking Russia not to do, which every single nation on the planet considers its inherent right.
And oh, doesn’t she sometimes wish she hadn’t taken part in squandering that? Wouldn’t that have made your job easier, Condi?
-jb
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