Title: Okay, YOU do it
Description: Machievellian Iraq policy?
Inspector - November 13, 2006 08:43 AM (GMT)
Bush's new
Iraq policy might be an example of Machiavellian statesmanship.
In essence, he's telling the Dems: Okay, if you don't like how I've handled things, then
you take care of this mess.
...suckers.
-Inspector
Kriegsgefahrzustand - November 13, 2006 07:36 PM (GMT)
Ironic that you should call it that for it reminds me of a situation contemporary to Machiavelli, and it is a move I think he would condemn.
In the late 15th Century, the Duke of Milan conspired with the French king against his enemies in Venice. The King of France, Charles VIII was interested in pressing a claim on Naples with the Duke's encouragement.
The plan ended up backfiring on him since Charles VIII had no intention of respecting the Italian Duke, who in reality had no power to protect his interests or enforce the bargain. The French essentially moved throughout Italy unopposed, when and where they pleased.
The Duke (Sforza I think) not only lost his title and his life, but ended up plunging Italy into 30 years of war by emboldening his enemies through his display of the fractious nature of Italian politics.
Let me also add that playing games with the lives of hundreds of thousands is so profoundly immoral as to defy me at the moment to come up with a suitable condemnation. Its positivley Byzantine, and we all know what happened to THEM.
I very much hope this isn't true.
Inspector - November 13, 2006 10:19 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Kriegsgefahrzustand @ Nov 13 2006, 01:36 PM) |
| I very much hope this isn't true. |
I fear it may be. The man is an utter pragmatist. He has one or two "pet" principles that he sticks to (religious ones), but everything else is up for grabs.
And with the Democrat victory, he's having a yard sale on his principles.
Myrhaf - November 14, 2006 02:53 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Kriegsgefahrzustand @ Nov 13 2006, 07:36 PM) |
Its positivley Byzantine, and we all know what happened to THEM.
|
Yes, they fell to the Muslims! Plus ca change...
Cunctator - November 16, 2006 10:04 PM (GMT)
In any case, I don't think the Dems will take the bait.
One of the first things I heard Pelosi say after the Democratic majority became clear was that they intended to call on Bush to present a new plan to deal with Iraq.
Conveniently, this leaves her party free to nay-say any proposal Bush puts forth without committing the Democrats to any unified Iraq policy (which they have never had).
Jowever, though I must admit to a certain fascination with Byzantine political intrigue, Kriegsgefahrzustand is correct. War is not the time or place.
Inspector - November 16, 2006 11:26 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Cunctator @ Nov 16 2006, 04:04 PM) |
In any case, I don't think the Dems will take the bait.
One of the first things I heard Pelosi say after the Democratic majority became clear was that they intended to call on Bush to present a new plan to deal with Iraq. |
Oh, Gawd! They're throwing it back?
No, you do it!
No, you do it!
No, YOU do it!
