“Welcome to civilization”
by digby
Here’s a little reminder of Rick Perry’s “sophisticated” foreign policy version”
And when they look up and see an RAF, Danish, or American bomber coming in, they feel precisely as you and I would feel. That sight must seem like the answer to a prayer, a prayer that can be expressed in every faith: “Save my family, save my home, save my village, save me, from this evil.”
[…]
What all of these various hate groups have in common is a disdain for, and a wish to destroy, our Western way of life.And someone needs to tell them that the meeting has already been held. It was decided, democratically, long ago – and by the way through great and heroic sacrifice – that our societies will be governed by Western values and Western laws.
Among those values are openness and tolerance. But to every extremist, it has to be made clear: we will not allow you to exploit our tolerance, so that you can import your intolerance. We will not let you destroy our peace with your violent ideas. If you expect to live among us, and yet plan against us, to receive the protections and comforts of a free society, while showing none of its virtues or graces, then you can have our answer now: No, not on our watch!
You will live by exactly the standards that the rest of us live by. And if that comes as jarring news: then welcome to civilization…
I suppose that if you find sophomoric chest beating and meaningless bellicose bellowing to be an effective foreign policy you’ll be impressed with Perry’s depth and acumen.
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