What about all those populist patriots who want us to return to the values of our Founding Fathers? They seem oddly quiet about the invasion of our Southern shores. Maybe they're confused by a threat that can't be dealt with through superior firepower. I dunno.
If the Mexicans had blown out a well and fouled our shores, I think we'd be hearing calls for annexation from Arizona to Maine. We sure as hell wouldn't leave the clean up to them.
If Afghanistan posed an imminent threat to millions of Americans, international sanctions would just be the beginning. People would be calling for massive bombing runs to take them back to the stone age. Oh wait... been there, done that.
If Iraqis decided to hold Americans against their will, we'd be all over them like white on rice. We'd be hearing nonstop coverage on TV advocating some old-school shock and awe treatment -- before we sent in the Marines to kick their ass and take their gas. Oh wait.... been there, done that.
If a bunch of Somali pirates decided to hold Americans hostage, we'd light them up like a bunch of Christmas trees. If they were dumb enough to actually kill Americans, we'd kill them in their beds and take their families with them. Oh wait... been there, done that.
So how is it that BRITISH Petroleum is on our continental shelf, taking our oil, ruining our fishing grounds, sullying our coastline and I don't see any mob of populist patriots are out there with pitchforks threatening to use the oil to tar and feather the culprits?
BRITISH Petroleum gets a pass because they are feeding our addiction? No one disputes the fact Americans are the main market for Columbian cocaine. Does that generate a lot of sympathy for the drug cartels? I don't think so. Why is America's addiction to oil any different?
When the Japanese started buying up prime New York real estate in the 80s, everyone freaked out. When China started building all our stuff, everyone freaked out. When India started taking away our tech jobs, everyone freaked out. When a German company bought Chrysler, everyone freaked out. When Venezuela offered to help Americans after Katrina by subsidizing the oil, they were told to take a hike. When Italy issued warrants for Americans they claimed kidnapped people, they were told to piss off. When Abu Dabi gets the contract to handle our port security, EVERYONE went nuts. We have a proven history of hating foreign influence.
How would this look if it was a French company, or a Russian company? People would be banning all sorts of food imports, at least. Imagine what would happen if this was a Nigerian company.... hoo boy!
Since when did the American government start giving away American resources to the BRITISH? Didn't we fight and win a war of independence? During the last administration, Tony Blair was the poodle in the relationship. He was Bush's lapdog and Bush came to power after Blair. Britain's Prime Minister just got sacked for a new guy. So Obama has seniority and super-power status over what's his name. Seems like we should still be calling the shots.
Am I the only one wondering why all those patriotic gun-toting Americans are oddly quiet about what's happening along our Southern coastline?
What is Rand Paul's position on this un-American activity? Why are Rush, Sarah, Beck, Malkin, et al. so quiet about this foreign threat? Do they hate America? Everyone know you only have two choices here. If you are not with us, then you're against us.
The populist patriots need to pick a side. Pronto.
Picking a side doesn't mean picking up a gun. This time we need to pick up something a little bit more appropriate to the problem at hand. I know that runs counter to our natural tendency to bomb the shit of anyone who gives us trouble, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Sometimes you gotta think outside the box. That takes leadership, which brings me to a question I have for the president. Where is your mop?