http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2008/summer/enders-no-roads-home/

And this:

http://last-of-iraqis.blogspot.com/

Empathy is a nice word, it is warm and fuzzy, but seems to go against the grain of the imperial mind.

And then there is the “Obama Doctrine” espoused in the article that this post links to. More nice words, with “dignity” coming to the forefront of the Doctrine.

This too is a nice, gentle concept, but again it goes against the grain of the imperial mind. This is hauntingly similar to the neo-conservative idealists. Yes, neo-conservatism is a muscular, imperialist philosophy, but it is couched in ideological language of democracy building and spreading Western liberalism through military might.

So, are we now discussing spreading an even more nebulous concept of “dignity” through military might? Why is this not made clear to us.

This is just more of the patronizing garbage that has made a mess of the Third World over the past several decades. Those countries that fail, almost seem to refuse, to develop have done so in so many cases on their own accord. Political infighting, corruption, dishonesty, and self-interest will continue to be the rule in those countries that cannot get their act together. Our “altruistic” intentions seem only to have the effect of further tearing these countries apart. Iraq is a case in point.

And those countries that do develop, like Brazil or Turkey or Taiwan, have done so on their own accord. And that will continue to be the case now and into the future. So be wary of those who ideologically drive our foreign policy further into the endless spiral of imperalism. Perhaps the best medicine for the Third World is to leave people their to work out their own problems.

The other, more striking example is the discussion on Obama’s Iran & Iraq approach. Regardless of how you feel these should be handled, it’s hard to believe anyone who ever conducted any kind of negotiation would seriously suggest the US should state at this point what it’s going or not going to do. This is basic common sense. You speak softly and carry a big stick, not because you want to use that stick, but because without it you are merely speaking softly – which might have effect in Brown, but not in the Middle East.

So, lots of cheap shots against conservatives, some damning with faint praise (conservatives are better manipulators) and lots and lots of words.

There are light weights on both sides, but it’s just sad they get such attention.

Anyway, here is why Lakoff lost me. He gave a great explanation of the real definition of empathy. But his “progressive” view of foreign policy is that we become a moral force in the world again. Every country believes it knows how the world should work. Drastic action, either fascist or not, is always under the guise of what is best for the people. In other words, anyone who claims to be the one moral force in the world is showing that they do not understand empathy.

He further showed this lack of understanding when he discussed the tactical nuclear options with Iran. He wasn’t advocating that method. But to even discuss it without raising the irony of eliminating nuclear ambition with nuclear weapons again shows a US-centric view of the world. It was as if he thought it was a good idea if the contaminates did not go into the air.

Finally, his petty shots at conservatives destroyed any credibility he had with me. I don’t like them either, but claiming that they have think-tanks that the democrats don’t have is just plain naive.

His parting shot that it’s easy to think conservatives have no brains is a demonstration of why the US is where it is (politically). Obama is talking about uniting. And Lakoff can only come up with elitist insults. It’s as petty as if Hannity was on calling liberals hippies.

I’m 15 minutes into this show and I had to turn it off.

George goes on and on and on and on!!!

AND HE’S SUPPOSED TO BE THE EXPERT ON COMMUNICATION?

We have been as disillusioned by Obama recently as Bob Herbert ( NYTimes) recently expressed so well in his column. This is because we have been through 8 years of feeling not too good. We have allowed our expectations,our hopes to prevail and are bound to be disappointed sooner or later but I wanted Obama to stand up for certain important things, regardless of the fact that he has to win an election. But he is who he is. And we are finding out… a change still, if not very radical. ( Is this Ariely’s lesson?)

That smile will carry him a long way- ear to ear as in the way he smiled and shrugged his shoulders when asked about the recent cover of the New Yorker Magazine. It’s that “je ne sais quoi”

Lakoff seems to recommend Obama’s book…

Thank you Chris for another keeper, wonderful interview.

http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Watson_Institute/Open_Source/RadioOpenSource-George_Lakoff.mp3

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