Well, no one can ever say that the retired army general
and U.S. secretary of state, Colin Powell, doesn’t
have gall. In Moscow, Powell criticized the Russian government for “certain developments in Russian
politics and foreign policy in recent months” which
“have given us pause.” In an obvious attempt to
extend the world policeman’s jurisdiction to the internal
affairs of Russia, Powell was complaining about
- the arrest and prosecution of a prominent Russian
businessman and the seizure of his assets;
- the lack of several political parties in Russian
parliamentary elections;
- the need for the Russian government to stay out of
the affairs of neighboring countries.
If only Russian officials had answered as follows:
“We thank you for your lecture, General Powell. Now,
would you please explain your system of politics in which
ballot-barrier laws are commonly used to bar third
parties from competing against the two-party political
monopoly in America?
“Also, would you mind explaining the federal
prosecution of prominent businesswoman Martha Stewart for
proclaiming her innocence of ludicrous economic crimes in
your country?
“And speaking of interference with the affairs of
other countries, perhaps you wouldn’t mind
explaining the many U.S. invasions of Latin American
countries, including the invasion of Panama in an alleged
attempt to win the decades-long U.S. war on drugs.
“While we’re on the subject of your drug war
and asset seizures, doesn’t your government have a
very active campaign of asset forfeiture without due
process and trial, the fruits of which help to fund
government activities?
“And oh, while we’re on the subject of
invasions and interferences with the internal affairs of
other countries, perhaps you can also explain the failure
to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, given your
unequivocal statements to the contrary to the United
Nations when you were trying your best to frighten your
people into supporting your actions.”
The American people are faced with two conflicting
foreign-policy paradigms:
(1) Unrestrained government power overseas, isolating the
American people from foreigners; and
(2) Reining in government power overseas, freeing the
American people to interact with foreigners.
In determining which direction would be the better one
for our nation, ask yourself the following question,
especially in light of Powell’s conduct in Russia:
Whose actions are more likely to increase tensions in the
world and the budget of the military-industrial complex,
and whose actions are more likely to increase friendships
and harmonies in the world — those of U.S.
government officials or those of the American people?
Mr. Hornberger is founder and president of The
Future of Freedom Foundation. Send him email.
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