Charlie Rose

GdC  12/31/2008 11:51 AM Report

The President-Elect is correct to sympathize with Israel - pointing out how he would react if rockets were falling over his house and children. However, he needs to answer also the question of what he would do if some outside power came and removed his family from its beautiful house and property in Chicago, gave it to a Native American family, and sent him and his beautiful family to a crowded reservation whose borders were sealed from the rest of the world. Otherwise his answer is a facile reading of the situation which when translated to policy will continue to prevent America from helping to craft a credible resolution of the conflict in the region. For their part, even if America helped Europe to dump its problem on them, the Arabs should stop expecting the West or the rest of the world to solve their problem for them when they keep on betraying each other. Israel will only cut a deal with you when you have a credible deterrent. Concentrate on that and stop yelling for the world to come to your aid, because it will only do so after an embarrassingly high loss of Palestinian life, if at all. We only pay attention to people who can threaten our self interest. If you do not get that, you are doomed to repeat the same pleas to no avail, expecting a different result only for your cries to be treated as an annoyance to be responded to with humanitarian aid and soothing noises but no equitable solution. You will only be taken seriously when you have a credible deterrent. Also, remember that it is increasingly fashionable these days to wag the dog to win elections by starting wars with Moslems. Again the only way to really stop that sort of abuse is to be able to credibly defend yourselves. Never expect America to put your interests above those of Israel; our financial power and the nuclear weapons that enable us to dictate terms to the rest of the world were a gift to us in large part from eminent Jewish business people and scientists. So, we will never put your interests ahead of Israeli interests, sadly even when the children of holocaust survivors misbehave and sow the seeds for a next 9/11 by using our sophisticated weapons and Third Reich tactics on you. It is political suicide to do otherwise and no politician - except a retired one like Jimmy Carter - has the balls to caution or discipline Israel. Our balls shrivel up and our sphincter muscles tighten when we are asked to respond equitably. Otherwise, one would be labeled an anti-Semite or lose funding for the next election. That is a fact of American life today. The game only changes when you get a credible deterrent. Work on that, even if it takes you the next 20, 30, 50, or 300 years; do that, and you will finally get relief from the abuse.

tartufe  12/23/2008 05:57 PM Report

WORLD’S TOP THREE SCAMERS OF U.S. TREASURY: 1. OSAMA BIN LADEN, 2. NOURI MALAKI, 3. HAMID KARZAI. (HENRY PAULSON HONORABLE MENTION).

OSAMA BIN LADEN

11/01/04 - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden said he is trying to bankrupt the U.S. through its war on terror, a strategy he says felled the Soviet Union two decades ago in Afghanistan, according to a translation by al-Jazeera television of his videotaped statement.

“All that we have to do is to send two mujahedeen to the furthest point East to raise a piece of cloth on which is written al-Qaeda, in order to make the generals race there to cause America to suffer human, economic, and political losses without their achieving for it anything of note other than some benefits for their private companies,” bin Laden said, according to the al-Jazeera transcript.

Well, the wiley old fox may live in a cave but he’s well on his way. And he even cites the M-I complex - accurately!

NOURI MALIKI (VIA BUSH, CHENEY, M-I COMPLEX OF COURSE)

By Bob Deans Cox News Service Published on: 02/28/08.

The Iraq war will cost Americans between $3 trillion and $5 trillion, including military spending, broader economic costs and decades of benefits and medical care for combat veterans, a Nobel prize-winning economist told the Joint Economic Committee on Thursday.

HAMID KARZAI

“And Afghanistan will not allow the international community leave it before we are fully on our feet, before we are strong enough to defend our country, before we are powerful enough to have a good economy.” Karzai said.

He then added that the world community can’t leave “before we have taken from President Bush and the next administration billions and billions of more dollars.”

“No way that they can let you go.” said Karzai, whose remarks drew laughter.

As of last summer, the United States had spent about $200 billion on the war in Afghanistan, according to congressional officials. Both Bush and President-elect Obama have made continued U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan central to their foreign policies.

HENRY PAULSON - HONORABLE MENTION

By: CNBC.com [28 Nov 2008 ] 01:56 PM ET

Given the speed at which the federal government is throwing money at the financial crisis, the average taxpayer, never mind member of Congress might not be faulted for losing track.

CNBC, however, has been paying very close attention and keeping a running tally of actual spending as well as the commitments involved. And there’s been quite a jump since we last tabulated things two weeks ago.

Try $7.36 trillion dollars. That’s more than double what was spent on WWII, if adjusted for inflation, based on our computations from a variety of estimates and sources.

COMMENTARY

We (Congress/Bush) have given Mr. Paulson a license to steal (TARP).

He has outdone the top three non-resident scammers, and history will wonder (1) how he did it, (2) how he gained the presumptive right(?), and (3) why he was never tried, convicted and incarcerated (for crimes against humanity if nothing else). Of course many other conspirators are due the same attention. Citigroup, a large recipient of TARP funds to rescue their hedge fund operations - the very corrosive part that should be allowed to fail - comes to mind.

It’s obvious that to date the financial wise-guy hedgers got the bailout medicine when excising the putrescent corruption from the financial body before gangrene set in was what was really needed. The really vulnerable and more extensive mortgagee’s crises have gone begging (literally). The predators seem to prevail a la the law of the jungle. Maybe we’re not that much a higher form of animal after all?

Oligarchic governance is a lethal combination. Like a corrupt cop.

Paulson et al should be consigned to living under a Detroit bridge for the downturn’s duration with their victims. Osama bin Laden has to be applauding him and all his ilk - firing his AK47 in the air with great jubilation over the accomplishments of the three non US coconspirators, but doubtless equally exuberant for his unexpected partner and allies “Allie Baba Paulson and his forty plus thieves.”

We’re run by a ship of fools, venal whores and grasping children.

ShalomFreedman  12/21/2008 11:04 AM Report

Kissinger whitewashes the Russians on a number of critical matters. They have not helped in regard to the Iranian nuclear question and in fact have done everything possible to obstruct real , not phony action against Iran. Worse, they have continued to build the nuclear reactor at Bushehr. And even worse, they are now reportedly supplying the Iranians their most advanced anti- aircraft missile system.

It is of course necessary to speak with and try to construct cooperative relations wherever possible. But Russian antagonism to the United States, its long- time inferiority complex and desire to thwart the U.S. at every possible opportunity- still is a central element in this relationship.

CHUCKtheFED  12/19/2008 09:38 PM Report

When he speaks of International system

and National interest as 'selfish'

then we are describing "collectivism"'

Empire...

(Nixon still lives....)

doodahdaze  12/18/2008 12:10 PM Report

Russia's biggest impediment to receiving real respect from the rest of the civilized world, is one of EGO. Their own ego and foolish pride is what stands in it's own way of progress. I think if they can be big enough to at least reject "Putin", that would be a positive step in the right direction, not so much for the rest of the world, but for their OWN SAKE; since it seems that, that is always their ONLY motivations; in a BACKWARDS kind of way.

REMant  12/18/2008 12:07 AM Report

But Russia has always confronted the West in the Near East, despite what one thinks the common interests may be. I suppose initially it was expansionism, and may be still, but it certainly can be seen as a matter of balance of power, too, as well as a way to control its own Muslim population. Russia now sees a common interest in Afghanistan. Other than that I think Russia plays little part in foreign policy considerations, unless like North Korea it dislikes being ignored, and on that point Kissinger seems himself trying to make a case for continuing importance. On the general question, tho, recognition of what is in one's best interest, or amour-propre, is an admirable goal, but does anyone imagine the US, much less the rest of the world, will think in the anything like those terms, as long as we seem to be ruled by religious enthusiasm?

DavLev  12/17/2008 11:14 PM Report

Thomas Friedman also has suggested our policy towards Russia (Bush) was mistaken. Instead of working with Russia, we made demands no powerful country would agree to. Our radar and missiles in Poland, etc., to prevent Iranian nuke attacks, were not taken seriously by the Ruskies as preventative. (Some experts say Russian threats to retaliate by positioning old nukes or other missiles is pre-historic.). Russia has threatened to hit Polish cities in a war. Mr. Kissinger is wrong about just everything. His analysis of China, India, Russia and Europe is wishful thinking. China and Russia will always be at odds..but mindful their respective power. Russia/China fomented the Korean War, while China won it's proxy war in Vietnam. Russia is arming Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, while (now) giving 10 warplanes to Lebanon (why does Lebanon need warplanes, to attack or defend against whom, Israel's 700 plane arsenal?). Isn't it that Hezbollah will benefit? He says that the insurgents are moving further West..to countries which have nuclear weapons. So what? He says that

Iran having nukes is not okay, but it's Russia that will discourage it. Why? Caus they have Muslim countries on their borders. Oh come on, Mr. Kissinger, don't be so naive. China owns the US, Japan owns our auto industry, Iran, Venezuela and Arabia just cut production over 2 million barrels/day to increase the price of OPEC oil.

The problem with Kissinger is he has been, and is still out of touch with reality. He favored the Iraqi incusion and it's aftermath (we should have withdrawn 5 years ago and let the Muslims fight among themselves for power). Kissinger

is getting old.

tartufe  12/17/2008 06:11 PM Report

Henry talked of parallel interests. Parallel this: Russian missiles in Cuba or Venezuela (defensive or otherwise), and ours in Poland.

JohnGelles  12/17/2008 05:53 PM Report

Henry Kissinger did not put a high priority on wooing Russia to work closely with us to design a win-win geopolitical solution to the continental-size nuclear powers structure we must reach as soon as possible.

charlizecourriers  12/17/2008 04:43 PM Report

Hey Charlie, Isn't it time to have a series of guests who will discuss the coming failure of the Obama Administration? Specifically, why Obama will fail,how Obama will fail and the aftermath of Obama's failure. And could you, Charlie, please start a contest to have your viewers assist in the design of a baton for your wardrobe for '09. Perhaps something with a laser to shine in the eyes of uncooperative guests, and a extension to gently push boring guests back on track of your questions. Even a flashing tip to alert them of your upcoming objections. Merrry Christmas and Bah Humbug!

Paulp_Nonfiction  12/17/2008 02:24 PM Report

Dear Mr. Rose:

I really enjoyed your interviews with Mr. Kissinger and Mr. Porter.

Many challenges and problems lay ahead. America must be/ remain strong and almighty.

Let's set our priorities straight and forge ahead.

Thank you very much!

Season's greetings to you and your team!

Paul