Rudy's Law

Rudy is now happily bloggin' on http://www.twogoodlegs.blogspot.com/.

How far have we come? A disturbing piece in today's Nation from England underscores the growing sense of powerlessness Europeans feel over American foreign policy, which many view as running roughshod over the rest of the world. In London, hundreds of thousands took to the streets while Bush visited Buckingham Palace via an armored fleet of security. Unlike years past when President Clinton was greeted like the next coming of the Who, Bush's entourage was briskly escorted to meet with his fearless chum Prime Minister Blair.

The discontent that the author describes is the sense that Bush has become some sort of defacto, unelected ruler of Great Britain by virtue of his Branch Davidian-like influence over Blair. PM Blair has pushed through Bush Administration's agenda to the dismay of much of his country. In return for his dogged loyalty, Bush has done little good for Great Britain. Blair, meanwhile, continues to be battered in the polls and demonized in the press as members of his once supportive constituency coalesce in mass civil disobedience. To what end many ask?

It's sad how far Blair's star has fallen precipitously since the days he burst on the scene with Pres. Clinton as some new prototype politician, of the people for the people. Even sadder is how much the Bush Administration has alienated the rest of the world since post 9/11's outpouring of world support. No longer is al Qaida viewed as the world's most dangerous enemy but now unfortunately, through its policies, the US is.

Why do it alone when you can do it with others is my credo. The fledgling canadian space agency is crossing its fingers that a Japanese space probe carrying Canadian scientific instruments, and currently off course, reaches Mars safely. Apparently, this is the second go-around for Nozomi, which missed the red planet in its first try.

Message to the country that brought us Bob & Doug McKenzie and John Candy: stick with what you're good at--beer, ice hockey, bacon, boredom--and leave the rest to the Americans, eh, hoser?

But seriously, why is Japan and Canada in a joint venture to Mars in the first place? Assuming it is more than a mere relic of the Cold War, there is absolutely no reason, beyond national pride, to buck an international cooperative when the cost of space exploration is so high. Together with China's aspirations, it seems we're in the midst of another senseless space race, featuring Sputnik II. Although the plight of the international space station may evidence the difficulties of interstellar alliances, going it alone risks redundancy, high costs, and in this case, a high degree of failure.

For space exploration to reach higher heights, the nations of the world must set aside their petty differences and interfering national hubris and join in one big intergalactic love fest. The alternative is wasteful, and just lonely. Whatt'ya say, eh?

This is my first post. I'm doubtful this will work.