http://www.salon.com/2013/09/19/confuse … singleton/
John McCain, the assumed expert on foreign policy, responds to Putin on a disreputable "online conspiracy site". How can an "expert" not know such a thing about Russia?
Furthermore, a credible foreign policy isn't immersed in duplicity by moralizing about how tragic human rights abuses are while condoning those same abuses because the responsible agent is one's country of origin. A serious commitment to human rights would entail McCain calling for George Bush's prosecution for war crimes.
"I make that claim because I respect your dignity and your right to self-determination. I believe you should live according to the dictates of your conscience, not your government. I believe you deserve the opportunity to improve your lives in an economy that is built to last and benefits the many, not just the powerful few. You should be governed by a rule of law that is clear, consistently and impartially enforced and just. I make that claim because I believe the Russian people, no less than Americans, are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Right to self-determination, except when your determination doesn't agree with the foreign policy goals of the United States! Moreover, the U.S. government is ruled by an unaccountable plutocracy. Our government also flaunts the rule of law by torturing and and waging wars of aggression. McCain never speaks out about these injustices though, so one can only conclude his pronouncements are vacuous, sanctimonious ejaculations.
"A Russian citizen could not publish a testament like the one I just offered. President Putin and his associates do not believe in these values. They don't respect your dignity or accept your authority over them. They punish dissent and imprison opponents. They rig your elections. They control your media. They harass, threaten, and banish organizations that defend your right to self-governance. To perpetuate their power they foster rampant corruption in your courts and your economy and terrorize and even assassinate journalists who try to expose their corruption. "
The first sentence is probably true. However, it's a truth in a molasses of lies. "Punish dissent, rig elections, control media, harass organizations that defend human rights, corrupt courts..." How is this not the United States? Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning are being punished for dissent; money controls the outcome of elections; the media obsequiously regurgitates government officials' statements and calls it news; and, the court system exudes corruption with it's preferential treatment of the privileged.
"They write laws to codify bigotry against people whose sexual orientation they condemn. They throw the members of a punk rock band in jail for the crime of being provocative and vulgar and for having the audacity to protest President Putin's rule."
I'm laughing behind my computer at this. McCain actively opposes gay marriage, and vehemently defended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Additionally, Occupy, Pacifists, and even Tea Party groups have all been harassed by the government. His hubris is breath taking.
"President Putin claims his purpose is to restore Russia to greatness at home and among the nations of the world. But by what measure has he restored your greatness? He has given you an economy that is based almost entirely on a few natural resources that will rise and fall with those commodities. Its riches will not last. And, while they do, they will be mostly in the possession of the corrupt and powerful few. Capital is fleeing Russia, which - lacking rule of law and a broad-based economy - is considered too risky for investment and entrepreneurism. He has given you a political system that is sustained by corruption and repression and isn't strong enough to tolerate dissent."
Ah, an economy that is based on a resource that resides in the most volatile region of the world, a resource that is running out, with the United States doing nothing serious to prepare for the coming catastrophe. Besides, the corrupt and powerful few are benefiting most from this suicidal situation and are not "strong enough to tolerate dissent".
"How has he [Putin] strengthened Russia's international stature? By allying Russia with some of the world's most offensive and threatening tyrannies. By supporting a Syrian regime that is murdering tens of thousands of its own people to remain in power and by blocking the United Nations from even condemning its atrocities. By refusing to consider the massacre of innocents, the plight of millions of refugees, the growing prospect of a conflagration that engulfs other countries in its flames an appropriate subject for the world's attention. He is not enhancing Russia's global reputation. He is destroying it. He has made her a friend to tyrants and an enemy to the oppressed, and untrusted by nations that seek to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous world."
Hmm. The U.S. consistently bolsters brutal dictators. A few past and present ones include: The Shah of Iran, Hussein, King Abdullah, and Egypt's military.
I'll let McCain speak for himself on civilian casualties. "By refusing to consider the massacre of innocents, the plight of millions of refugees, the growing prospect of a conflagration that engulfs other countries in its flames an appropriate subject for the world's attention. He is not enhancing Russia's global reputation. He is destroying it. He has made her a friend to tyrants and an enemy to the oppressed, and untrusted by nations that seek to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous world." Could this not describe Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan?
The rest is pure political balderdash, sententious casuistry that isn't even worth refuting.
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/19-09- … avda_ru-0/ For those who can stomach such absurdity.
