Forum Archive Index - January 2004

["David & Jill Stevenson" <djstevo@quicksilver.net.nz>]

Allan,

         Fair comment.  I may be wrong but you appeared to ride over my prefaced statement that attempted to convey impartiality on my part . That I am no conspiracy theorist . Easier said than proved I appreciate.

   My fathers`s generation ,post depression,  may have muttered words like "Swiss Bankers "etc .However I think ,or trust, subsequent generations have advanced beyond those ill-considered generalised viewpoints, appropriate to times when debate was frowned upon.

   It is not an appropriate forum to expand upon each of the alleged Lobby Groups in turn . We could go on for ever and a day.The name Jerusalem will perhaps suffice

for (1) and (2) with non negotiable position taking and that intransigence  of position`s impact on world peace.  And ,consequently a variety of peripheral issues. As to (3) targetted proselytisation in Middle Eastern Muslim countries ,admittedly allied to aid, has caused  serious estrangement between East and West. Exacerbating existing gulfs of maybe irreconcilable differences.

 

   You suggest that the categories of Lobbyists stated represent a fair cross section of  the voting community. Remember we are left with the "silent majority " whose primary concerns are more domestic - keeping family and home together . So as far as balance is concerned we do not in truth have a 50: 50 balance of influence on the direction of Government , more particularly internationally, which is naturally our  outsider`s main area of concern. On the question of democracy - the "legality " of  GeorgeBush`s

poll win will be debated for years to come . That is all by the way however.

 

   There should be no need to elaborate on the economics and political influence of the Armaments Industry. Like any industry it is self perpetuating ,seeks profits and expansion. It is unconcerned as to what theatre of war produces those profits. I don`t pick on America in isolation. Look at France supplying Mirage Fighters during the Nigeria/ Biafra war of genocide. Few countries stand innocent of similar accusation.

 

   The other Lobbyist , the Pentagon, is in a slightly different category. I will simply suggest that we consider the fact that during the Vietnam War differing reports were presented from the Battle Lines to both the Pentagon and as read to the US House of Representatives. All I am alluding to is a potential culture.

 

   Salinger , when writing memoirs of Kennedy`s First Thousand Days was more than thought provoking when writing of those years of The Cold War. We had on the one hand an urbane ,sophisticated John Kennedy seated at the negotiating table. On the other side sat Nikkita Kruschev surly,irrascible ,easily provoked. The atmosphere was tinder dry . Simply getting through one day was a success story. Knife-edge stuff.  I don`t digress -simply attempt to convey that  the boyish Texan-style shoot and ask questions later ,likeable George Bush that you present as some sort of innocent abroad. Maybe just that attitude ,despite attempts to rein him in and groom him in diplomacy etc.maybeit is just not simply a question of the charm of unsophistication. I draw the analogy with an unsophisticated Kruschev who was equally naive in diplomacy. Nobody can argue that George Bush has made numerous utterances on the world stage that have horrified the West.

 

   Allan,this may appear long winded but is a genuine attempt to prove that our world leaders are influenced by sectional Lobbyists who when promoting their particular interests through ,I stress a possibly compliant President we must not accept that they ,in balance, act ultimately for the best outcomes of a diverse world community.

 

                                                     Regards

 

                                                                        David Stevenson