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Of Bradley County Tn.


MARCH  2006

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Regime Change

by JC Bowman

There are many non-violent methods for helping unfriendly leaders or countries to change their evil ways: diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, international boycotts, trade embargoes, and support for local political factions. But these tactics take time, and can produce limited results.  The major objective for those wayward leaders and countries who do not grasp our view of the situation is "regime change."  However, it is a word I am growing tired of hearing.

"Regime change" is on the lips of the talking heads of the news channels, and on the pens of the important foreign policy writers.  I suppose it has been in our vocabulary since the cold war era where we focused stopping the progress of the expansion of communism.  Then it seemingly resurfaced when western leaders addressed the manner in which we sought to prevent ethnic cleansing in unfriendly countries and subsequently sought to establish democracy in that country.  Lately the motivation behind the term "regime change" has been the utilization of the terminology in our war against terrorism.

Perhaps if we used the word in a different context "regime change" would have broader appeal.  Can you imagine using the term when firing an employee?  I can see it now: "Hey Joe, come in here. We are undergoing a 'regime change' and we are starting with you."  How about in divorce proceedings?  "Did you hear Sally and Ted are spitting up. She is instituting 'regime change.'"  Ousting unpopular local politicians might sound like this: "Yep, the voters ousted Commissioner Jones, -- regime change."  The list is endless, and could be fun.  Now when I hear the word, I know that it is going to cause death, destruction and additional expenditures of my hard earned tax dollars.

I heard President Bush in the State of the Union speech loud and clear: America is addicted to OIL.  He is absolutely right.  Every one of us Republican/Democrat, conservative/liberal, black/white/brown/red, rich/poor, or gay/straight is addicted to OIL.  I have used this analogy before based on something I witnessed on a bumper sticker of an SUV: No Blood for Oil. Well Ms. SUV owner give it up, buy a bicycle.  You are an addict.  Time for "regime change" in your mode of transportation.  The rest of you need to cut your oil consumption in half, or there will be another "regime change." Make no mistake I am getting my share of oil.  Greedy people out there who refuse

J C Bowman

-J. C. Bowman, a native of Cleveland, is a well informed and outspoken conservative educator. Is a freelance public policy analyst who resides in Tallahassee, Florida. Prior to this, he was Director for the Center for Education Innovation at Florida State University.  He served as the Director for the Florida Department of Education Choice Office and as the Chief Policy Analyst of the Education Policy Unit for Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

E-mail: flapolicy@hotmail.com


Website: www.policyexperts.net

to use less oil better get used to hearing the phrase "regime change."             

I am not a bully.  America does use more than it's share of oil and resources in the world.  I am also not one who wants to revisit foreign imperialism, and I am not touting manifest destiny.  We need to be wise stewards of our planet's resources.  On the other hand look at all the things we give to the world.  We give so much as a country and expect so little in return.  I think all things must be examined in proper context.  So as arrogant as this may sound, I do think we deserve more resources than say Aruba, Bahamas, or Barbados. 
Then take the latest entry into the We Hate America Sweepstakes: Iran and North Korea. I think they have outlived their need for additional resources and are prime examples of a country in need of "regime change."  I think we need to quit bowing before pipsqueak countries that speak to hear themselves talk.  We are too nice as a country. 

Look at the Russians.  I mean come on do you trust them?  Nobody in their right mind does.  Syria? Please.  The Syrians do not even trust themselves. I really like China.  The Chinese citizens are some of the friendliest people I know.  Chinese government?  I would not trust them as far as I could throw them on Tiananmen Square.  I guess my name was just submitted to some foreign government agency.  My point: "regime change" in any of those countries would be fine with me. Make no mistake, none of these countries are really our friend. 

Which makes me wonder why is the United States so hated?  Why are our journalist so self-loathing?  Have we traveled with Marty McFly back to the future and re-entered the Jimmy Carter years?  Remember Back to the Future II, and Biff the Bully being the powerful community leader?  Has our country become Biff lovers?  Are we satisfied in some parallel universe, with weak leaders and an unwillingness to confront the bullies who threaten the very existence of our nation? 

All around the world, people conveniently blame America.  Danish Cartoonists?  Blame America.  Saddam Hussein coming to power? Blame America. Saddam Hussein being removed from power?  Blame America.  Break up of the Beatles?  You guessed it, Blame America.  The Crusades?  Blame America.

While I am certain that Mr. Wong loves his child in China, Mr. Moscowsky loves his child in Russia, Mr. Khomeini loves his child in Iran, Mr. Muhammad loves his child in Syria and Mr. Kim loves his child in North Korea, make no mistake Mr. Bowman loves his children here in America.  I bet there are a lot of American parents that feel the same way.  There are probably many American parents who understand that "regime change" in some parts of the world might be the best thing for all of us.         

In a world so focused on hate right now, where jihads by terrorists turn the world upside down and politicians are tiptoeing around the issue because we need the oil in the land the terrorists are from.  Maybe we need to rethink our foreign policy?  Perhaps we should not be as hard on our Latino friends south of the border who actually love our country and die trying to get here.  We will need them, even if their country does not have an abundance of oil.  Maybe we should rethink our immigration policy?  It is time we start having conversations that are not locked in partisan bickering, before someone starts advocating "regime change" here.  Unfortunately, I think they would find people who would sell out their country in a heartbeat.  I can see the Vote Biff signs going up now, can't you?

--J. C. Bowman is a public policy analyst who resides in Tallahassee, Florida.
He can be reached by email at:

flapolicy@hotmail.com.
 

Visit his website at:
www.policyexperts.net

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