Charlie Rose Science Series
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03/12/2008
Admiral Michael Mullen
An hour with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
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An hour with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Transcripts available through Voxant.
Amanda, Incorrectly using words like "genocide" shows you are not serious. Asking why the world tolerates the US shows you are not informed. Speaking of "reparations" from Germany to victims of the Holocaust shows how little you think of the loss of human life, in spite of your protestations about America's killing. Your use of the Arab League as a possible counter to US power is pretty silly. Other than that, a good letter.
Should we have stayed out of Gulf War 1 also?And told Kuwait too bad.
The US unequivocal support for Israel against the Palestinians is causing trememdous damage to our credibility not just in Islamic countries but with others, such as the Europeans, as well. If this support were even helping Israel, it would be somewhat understandable. However, this position is not helping the parties move towards long term peace, which is the ultimate goal. As long as the US allows Israel to terrorize the millions of Palestinians under its occupation, we should not expect peace with the Islamic world. A rational discussion on the plight of the Palestinians in the US congress would be necessary first step towards untangling the mess the Middle East.
Islamic nations do not hate America for no apparent reason, they hate us for planting dictators in their countries and protecting them afterwards to stay in power. If our foreign policy was non-interference, I am sure they would have liked us a lot more. With repect to "Allan Ramesh's" accusation of being bias, I think he is wrong. Our bias is based on philosophical similarities, we like countries that follow our way of life - following Democratic principle. For example, most Arabic nations are not democratic in nature. And when we smile and salute our friends and give no smile to the Arabic nations that do not follow basic Democratic principle then they say we are against them. The fact is if we see them try, then we like them. I admit that we are responsible for some of the dictators in power oppressing their poeple, but if we do not help the dictator then more radical regime comes to power, much like Afghanistan under Taliban they will start giving sanctuary to terrorists, and those terrorists will harm our interest at home and abroad. So sometimes it's better to assist a dictator rather than see a fanatic radical come to power.
Gene, you hit the nail on the head. I lived 10 years in a Muslim country as an American expatriate manager. Never once did I hear anyone say they want to destroy our lifestyle or hate our freedom. Its not even in their reality to think that way. Many in fact envy our lifestyle - blue jeans and American music are very seductive. Most offen, their complaints would be: 1. They object to our bias in dealing with the Palestinian issue; 2. They think we apply double standards for example, by requiring others to adhere to human rights while the US has its own human rights issues or our position on climate change; and 3. They resent the fact that the US is the only superpower. American businesses are generally well accepted and are employers of choice. Fast food and Starbucks is sweeping the world. I wish our leaders understood foreign perspectives a lot more before heading off to war against perceived enemies. They are squandering a lot of good will the US has enjoyed around the world.
The interview with Admiral Mike Mullen triggered a thought. I would like to see a panel discussion on the topic of: If instead of doing battle with international terrorisms, we decide to just stop doing whatever it is that makes them attack us, what would we stop doing? My guess is, we don't really know what that would be. When our leaders say "the terrorist want to destroy our life style", that indicates to me that our leaders have not taken the time to understand the goals of the terrorists.
His last statement was absolutely terrific coming from a military man. He says we need "soft power". This is where the US has failed miserably. We can take out any opponent with force but have such a poor record managing the peace or avoiding the conflict to begin with. The US military should only be called in as the very last resource. Before that, we should use diplomacy, incentives, development aid, civil infrastructure support, etc., to win opponents to our camp. Hopefully, the next President will be better at this than is our current one.
I tend to agree with Joe above, the interview was a snooze. Ask the Adm. where the money comes from and why aren't we taking the 'war' to them?
america's stick is soon to broken
Charlie I, too, am a regular listener. I get the show at noon the following day - about an hour from now. This is going to be absolurely fascinating. Incidentally, the two shows on Bucklet brought real tears to my eyes. I, too, am 82. I'll try to email again tomorrow.
Charlie I, too, am a regular listener. I get the show at noon the following day - about an hour from now. This is going to be absolurely fascinating. Incidentally, the two shows on Bucklet brought real tears to my eyes. I, too, am 82. I'll try to email again tomorrow.
Charlie I, too, am a regular listener. I get the show at noon the following day - about an hour from now. This is going to be absolurely fascinating. Incidentally, the two shows on Bucklet brought real tears to my eyes. I, too, am 82. I'll try to email again tomorrow.
The most important parts of the interview, with respect to containing the chances for a wider war in the immediate future, were the last five or so minutes. Good work Charlie for at least providing a forum for reassuring us that things are not about to get out of hand very quickly militarily in the next few weeks. As long as the generals find a way to contain the reckless political impulses of desperate ideological men on the way out, we will be alright.
Curious, Charlie, on how you got Admiral Mullen to come on your program...did you promise not to interrupt him and to only ask generic questions? Half way through the interview my eyes glazed over and I found myself trying to count the ribbons on his chest. This guy would shame a politician with his ability to speak at length while saying nothing. If he talks to the next president as he did with you, then I predict he will be toast.
I second Amanda Kirk's comments, with gusto.
Here is a little conspriacy theory from a semi-old soldier. One day we have a certain sex scnadal come out about another worthless politician which becomes the lead story for days. The very next day the centcom co. resigns. A man with intimate knowledge of operationl and strategic air ops. The very same day, our vice-president goes to the middle east to "try and ease oil prices". He is to visit: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Both Turkey and the Saudis have US airbases and allow US overflights(usually!). The nation which is across the 'straits of hormuz' from Oman, is IRAN. I think at least 20% of the worlds oil sails through it every day! Oh, I forgot. It's March. Desert Storm: Jan./Feb./and prepared for March. OIF1:(March03). This was due to weather conditions/moon phases. Well there are your puzzle pieces. But I'm just a two war disabled infantry combat vet missing my right kidney. What the F!@# do I know!!!
AL QAEDA IS AN AMORPHOUS MASS. ANYONE BLACK, BROWN OR WHITE WITH A DISLIKE FOR THE USA WOULD QUALIFY. AL QAEDA IN IRAQ IS POLITICAL PABLUM. DISCONTENTED IRAQ'S OR OTHER ARABS WOULD BE MORE ACCURATE. HE DISAVOWED KNOWLEDGE OF ANTI-AMERICAN MILITARY SENTIMENT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THAT'S TOO OBTUSE TO QUALIFY FOR SEAMAN 1ST CLASS. JR. (SHRUB) PROBABLY ENJOYS HIS PRE-CANNED JINGOISM. A GREAT REP FOR THE M-I-O COMPLEX. GOD HELP US. THE MILITARY NEOCONS WILL BRING US CLOSER TO NOT FURTHER FROM ARMEGEDDON.
Nothing will do except for Iraq to tell the U.S. to get the heck out of their sovereign country and start paying reparations which will cost billions and billions. Just as Germany pays reparations to the victims of the Holocaust. HOW DARE WE INVADE ANOTHER COUNTRY??? The U.S. has absolutely no business or right to invade, slaughter and maim Iraqi citizens or anyone else in the M.E. or any other area of the world. The sooner the Arab League starts to defend the M.E., the better. Charlie Rose is truly a rock ribbed Republican, but this is going way too far, having this gentleman on and talking about Iraq as if it was a property of the U.S. And oh, the cunning language! How dare you even dream of invading Iran?? You both talked about Iraq and Iran as if you owned the place and it was your's to choose what to do with the two countries, who is next? Murderous imperialism beyond belief! Why the world tolerates this genocide of Iraq is .... beyond belief!
"An Hour with Adm. Mike Mullen"?? Felt like a week with Mullen. Big fan of Charlie but he was not on his game tonight. Served Mullen so many softball questions it just became a snooze fest. A great opportunity lost!!
I'ts great to hear from an internal voice in the Iraq Resolution: finally speaking from a different scope of the camera.