What's next? Recalling the troops ;-)
February 7, 2011 12:11 PM Subscribe
We live in a time of sweeping change and as an example of this for the 1st time in living memory ambassadors from almost all 260 U.S. embassies, consulates and other posts in more than 180 countries are expected to convene at the State Department for what’s being billed as the first meeting of its kind.
With the talk of 'Civilian Power' in the QDDR is this the opening move to confronting the Nemesis who's caused Sorrow and Blowback? Or is it just more talk that really won't end in peace and just keep using troops as pawns.
Given the issues with security this may be just the most secure way for the Ambassadors to gossip about what is going on without leaks.
With the talk of 'Civilian Power' in the QDDR is this the opening move to confronting the Nemesis who's caused Sorrow and Blowback? Or is it just more talk that really won't end in peace and just keep using troops as pawns.
Given the issues with security this may be just the most secure way for the Ambassadors to gossip about what is going on without leaks.
Hey, isn't this like the last climactic scene of the Chuck Norris classic Invasion USA but with ambassadors instead of governors?
posted by chambers at 12:19 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by chambers at 12:19 PM on February 7, 2011
Should avoid uncommon acronyms:
QDDR = Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review,
posted by edgeways at 12:19 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
QDDR = Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review,
posted by edgeways at 12:19 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Almost all ambassadors indeed.
Clearly we need a stronger hand to manage the vital and delicate Luxembourgo-American relationship.
posted by theodolite at 12:23 PM on February 7, 2011 [5 favorites]
Clearly we need a stronger hand to manage the vital and delicate Luxembourgo-American relationship.
posted by theodolite at 12:23 PM on February 7, 2011 [5 favorites]
With the talk of 'Civilian Power' in the QDDR is this the opening move to confronting the Nemesis who's caused Sorrow and Blowback?
Chalmers Johnson (RIP) was a prophetic author whose well researched insights into American imperial decline remain current, but I'm not sure three amazon links to his books sheds much light on the complicated questions you are hoping to address here.
More importantly, expecting a significant shift in the grand strategy of American foreign policy based on a State Department meeting, when a much better explanation (containment of wikileaks, containment of Cairo-style unrest, and general PR alignment) is at hand, seems like wishful thinking.
The overriding policy of this administration remains unchanged: don't rock the boat, keep the wheels turning, support American business interests abroad, pay lip service to democracy, and hope that history is somehow kinder to America than it has been to every other (re: Great Britain, USSR) over-stretched empire.
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:23 PM on February 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
Chalmers Johnson (RIP) was a prophetic author whose well researched insights into American imperial decline remain current, but I'm not sure three amazon links to his books sheds much light on the complicated questions you are hoping to address here.
More importantly, expecting a significant shift in the grand strategy of American foreign policy based on a State Department meeting, when a much better explanation (containment of wikileaks, containment of Cairo-style unrest, and general PR alignment) is at hand, seems like wishful thinking.
The overriding policy of this administration remains unchanged: don't rock the boat, keep the wheels turning, support American business interests abroad, pay lip service to democracy, and hope that history is somehow kinder to America than it has been to every other (re: Great Britain, USSR) over-stretched empire.
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:23 PM on February 7, 2011 [3 favorites]
for some reason this brings to mind the gathering of the RSPCC.
posted by nadawi at 12:25 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 12:25 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
light on the complicated questions you are hoping to address here.
This is Metafilter - I'm not expecting a whole lotta light - just one small candle to drive away the darkness is all I ask.
posted by rough ashlar at 12:29 PM on February 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
This is Metafilter - I'm not expecting a whole lotta light - just one small candle to drive away the darkness is all I ask.
posted by rough ashlar at 12:29 PM on February 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
Bunch of diplomats watching PowerPoint slides? zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
posted by fixedgear at 12:30 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fixedgear at 12:30 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's a No-Holds Barred Martial Arts Tournament!
posted by Xoebe at 12:33 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Xoebe at 12:33 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
The diplomatic powwow wraps up Friday, when the ambassadors fly back to their missions.
After having smokem-ed peace pipes, no doubt.
posted by Joe Beese at 12:36 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
After having smokem-ed peace pipes, no doubt.
posted by Joe Beese at 12:36 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Related: Democracy vs. Autocracy in Egypt: Which Side is the Obama Administration On?
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:37 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:37 PM on February 7, 2011
I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle.
posted by Gelatin at 12:48 PM on February 7, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 12:48 PM on February 7, 2011 [8 favorites]
We, of the other planets...
Uh, what?
The universe grows smaller every day
Cite?
security for all
The vague, slippery notion of "security," as in Homeland Security, has been so badly abused by those in positions of power these past nine years or so (i.e. has been used as a catch-all to justify imperial aggression, corporate war profiteering, lawless detainment, support for autocratic regimes) that I naturally tend to view it with suspicion. Just sayin'.
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:59 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Uh, what?
The universe grows smaller every day
Cite?
security for all
The vague, slippery notion of "security," as in Homeland Security, has been so badly abused by those in positions of power these past nine years or so (i.e. has been used as a catch-all to justify imperial aggression, corporate war profiteering, lawless detainment, support for autocratic regimes) that I naturally tend to view it with suspicion. Just sayin'.
posted by The Emperor of Ice Cream at 12:59 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
I was really nervous about how we could implement this new vision for foreign policy while maintaining the safe, timely and unmoderated transfer of funds from the DoD to private corporations when thankfully I stumbled on this:
from the .pdf, pg 182:
Where appropriate, we will work in joint civilian and military teams and
develop innovative mechanisms for civil-military collaboration, such as shared
funding or pooled funds.
kaching! What a relief.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 1:01 PM on February 7, 2011
from the .pdf, pg 182:
Where appropriate, we will work in joint civilian and military teams and
develop innovative mechanisms for civil-military collaboration, such as shared
funding or pooled funds.
kaching! What a relief.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 1:01 PM on February 7, 2011
The vague, slippery notion of "security," as in Homeland Security, has been so badly abused by those in positions of power these past nine years or so
Perhaps someone else can make a FPP about the renewal of the PATRIOT Act - I believe there is a voe of some import tomarrow.
posted by rough ashlar at 1:02 PM on February 7, 2011
Perhaps someone else can make a FPP about the renewal of the PATRIOT Act - I believe there is a voe of some import tomarrow.
posted by rough ashlar at 1:02 PM on February 7, 2011
They're picking up one time pads.
posted by Artw at 1:24 PM on February 7, 2011 [10 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:24 PM on February 7, 2011 [10 favorites]
Golf courses in and around Foggy Bottom never saw so many request for tee times...
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:33 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 1:33 PM on February 7, 2011
kmz: are you telling The Emperor of Ice Cream that he misunderstand the Gelatin?! How dare you second-guess a dessert, and one wearing such finery as well!
posted by Reverend John at 1:33 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by Reverend John at 1:33 PM on February 7, 2011
This actually happened last week---not that it's any less significant.
Here's Mike Mullen's address to the Ambassadors, if you're interested. Naturally the diplomatic corps couldn't have gone without a good talking-to from DoD.
posted by MimeticHaHa at 1:36 PM on February 7, 2011
Here's Mike Mullen's address to the Ambassadors, if you're interested. Naturally the diplomatic corps couldn't have gone without a good talking-to from DoD.
posted by MimeticHaHa at 1:36 PM on February 7, 2011
The only true emperor is Emperor Norton.
posted by kmz at 1:37 PM on February 7, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by kmz at 1:37 PM on February 7, 2011 [4 favorites]
It's ConsoluCon 2011! With special guest of honor The One himself!
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:29 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 2:29 PM on February 7, 2011
There'll be a writeup of this bash released by Wikileaks within minutes, I trow.
posted by chavenet at 2:57 PM on February 7, 2011
posted by chavenet at 2:57 PM on February 7, 2011
The vague, slippery notion of "security," as in Homeland Security, has been so badly abused by those in positions of power these past nine years or so
Perhaps someone else can make a FPP about the renewal of the PATRIOT Act - I believe there is a voe of some import tomarrow.
You mean this one? You realize that 'security for all' quote above was from a science-fiction movie, yes?
posted by anigbrowl at 3:00 PM on February 7, 2011
Perhaps someone else can make a FPP about the renewal of the PATRIOT Act - I believe there is a voe of some import tomarrow.
You mean this one? You realize that 'security for all' quote above was from a science-fiction movie, yes?
posted by anigbrowl at 3:00 PM on February 7, 2011
You left out the best part of Klaatu's speech:
Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.
One of the reasons I love DtESS is because it looks like it's going to be Space Jesus and his ethically advanced message of love and harmony, and instead he says, "We've found a way to get along, and it was to give the power of life and death over to these robots. It's no skin off our nose if you kill yourselves without leaving Earth but, FYI, if you stick one toe over THIS line the machines will exterminate you. Sorry you had to find out like this. Klaatu out!"
posted by The Tensor at 3:27 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.
One of the reasons I love DtESS is because it looks like it's going to be Space Jesus and his ethically advanced message of love and harmony, and instead he says, "We've found a way to get along, and it was to give the power of life and death over to these robots. It's no skin off our nose if you kill yourselves without leaving Earth but, FYI, if you stick one toe over THIS line the machines will exterminate you. Sorry you had to find out like this. Klaatu out!"
posted by The Tensor at 3:27 PM on February 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
I got your Neopolitan right here Wally.
Emperor Norton was a friend of mine.
As were the Dictator Train and King Strang.
I just hope Hillary does not walk around the room with a baseball bat.
I always thought the al-u-minium bat would emit a gritty 'PIYANIGGG' noise which would be great on tape.
posted by clavdivs at 3:53 PM on February 7, 2011
Emperor Norton was a friend of mine.
As were the Dictator Train and King Strang.
I just hope Hillary does not walk around the room with a baseball bat.
I always thought the al-u-minium bat would emit a gritty 'PIYANIGGG' noise which would be great on tape.
posted by clavdivs at 3:53 PM on February 7, 2011
I had a Synchronicity of Crazy moment today. Here it is, remembered as best I can:
There was a couple of guys on the train today in the seats ahead of me. Suits, ties, well groomed, normal looking 'default setting' businessmen in their 40s.
They were talking about trying to get out early because of the snow, and complaining about avoiding their bosses while doing so. A little later this ambassador convention subject came up, and my ears perked.
"You know what they are doing," the first one said, "replacements. You know, robots."
The second man made kind of a laughing sound, then paused. "Wait. Robots? Who? What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, turning from the window quickly, moving from half-listening to kind of concerned, like he was realizing his commuting buddy is sitting between him and any chance for a quick exit.
"Did you ever see a film called Westworld 2? From the early 70's? Where the bad guys were trying to replace all the world's leaders with robots, and Henry Fonda stopped them. That movie scared the hell out of me as a kid. Took me like a week to convince myself that my parents weren't going to be secretly replaced by robots. Tell you what, for years later whenever they used to do those old Folger's secret switch commercials, I would get real bothered and kinda angry, like they were doing something really hurtful and mean. I never realized why until now."
The second businessman just stared at him. "You need a vacation, Doug."
"Yeah, I guess." the first one said, kind of dejectedly. "Really scary film though."
They were quiet for awhile, then started talking about the Packers, and it was my stop, so I left.
*It was actually Peter Fonda, but no way was I jumping into that scene just to correct him. It would be like breaking the fourth wall or something like that.
The suit may make the man, but a just a touch of good ol' fashioned timecube-crazy like that makes it interesting.
posted by chambers at 5:46 PM on February 7, 2011 [4 favorites]
There was a couple of guys on the train today in the seats ahead of me. Suits, ties, well groomed, normal looking 'default setting' businessmen in their 40s.
They were talking about trying to get out early because of the snow, and complaining about avoiding their bosses while doing so. A little later this ambassador convention subject came up, and my ears perked.
"You know what they are doing," the first one said, "replacements. You know, robots."
The second man made kind of a laughing sound, then paused. "Wait. Robots? Who? What the hell are you talking about?" he asked, turning from the window quickly, moving from half-listening to kind of concerned, like he was realizing his commuting buddy is sitting between him and any chance for a quick exit.
"Did you ever see a film called Westworld 2? From the early 70's? Where the bad guys were trying to replace all the world's leaders with robots, and Henry Fonda stopped them. That movie scared the hell out of me as a kid. Took me like a week to convince myself that my parents weren't going to be secretly replaced by robots. Tell you what, for years later whenever they used to do those old Folger's secret switch commercials, I would get real bothered and kinda angry, like they were doing something really hurtful and mean. I never realized why until now."
The second businessman just stared at him. "You need a vacation, Doug."
"Yeah, I guess." the first one said, kind of dejectedly. "Really scary film though."
They were quiet for awhile, then started talking about the Packers, and it was my stop, so I left.
*It was actually Peter Fonda, but no way was I jumping into that scene just to correct him. It would be like breaking the fourth wall or something like that.
The suit may make the man, but a just a touch of good ol' fashioned timecube-crazy like that makes it interesting.
posted by chambers at 5:46 PM on February 7, 2011 [4 favorites]
Jesus Christ, Doug, get a fucking grip man!
Damn.
It was Freddie Kruger that's at the meeting. Way scarier than Futureworld.
posted by paisley henosis at 6:29 PM on February 7, 2011
Damn.
It was Freddie Kruger that's at the meeting. Way scarier than Futureworld.
posted by paisley henosis at 6:29 PM on February 7, 2011
she will have prop and pulley.
"can't read my, can't read my"
posted by clavdivs at 6:32 PM on February 7, 2011
"can't read my, can't read my"
posted by clavdivs at 6:32 PM on February 7, 2011
Clinton is going to tell them that China has strongly recommended that American leaders should all step down and prepare for a special September election, to be the first real US election since Eisenhower warned about the dangers of the M-I Complex.
posted by Twang at 3:58 AM on February 8, 2011
posted by Twang at 3:58 AM on February 8, 2011
quote above was from a science-fiction movie, yes?
Here on Metafilter the candle in the darkness may be one of them thar re-lighting candles. But be a joke candle, beeswax, paraffin, soy or whatever - someone will take the drippings, scrape 'em together and reuse 'em.
Sometimes you get a sealing wax. Other times a crayon. Sometimes another, better candle. Other times, mixed with human hair and burned at a "Halliburton" press event.
The path of QDDR -> movie quote with word security -> Security for homeland -> the PATRIOT act is an example of how things spin off in different directions like most places on the big bad Internet. The movie quote could have went in a "how long will others accept such behavior and what form will the disapproval take" with a Malor-esque comment about 'Meh, others will decide the money is no good - as in stop accepting. No need for violence in such a path' and the thread would have spun off in a far different direction.
Frankly I'm shocked no one claimed the recall was so they could all get together to watch the SuperBowl - a tad more believable a reason than "peace".
posted by rough ashlar at 6:49 AM on February 8, 2011
Here on Metafilter the candle in the darkness may be one of them thar re-lighting candles. But be a joke candle, beeswax, paraffin, soy or whatever - someone will take the drippings, scrape 'em together and reuse 'em.
Sometimes you get a sealing wax. Other times a crayon. Sometimes another, better candle. Other times, mixed with human hair and burned at a "Halliburton" press event.
The path of QDDR -> movie quote with word security -> Security for homeland -> the PATRIOT act is an example of how things spin off in different directions like most places on the big bad Internet. The movie quote could have went in a "how long will others accept such behavior and what form will the disapproval take" with a Malor-esque comment about 'Meh, others will decide the money is no good - as in stop accepting. No need for violence in such a path' and the thread would have spun off in a far different direction.
Frankly I'm shocked no one claimed the recall was so they could all get together to watch the SuperBowl - a tad more believable a reason than "peace".
posted by rough ashlar at 6:49 AM on February 8, 2011
"Democracy vs. Autocracy in Egypt: Which Side is the Obama Administration On?"
Both! They want the best democracy that USAID can buy!
posted by markkraft at 8:29 AM on February 8, 2011
Both! They want the best democracy that USAID can buy!
posted by markkraft at 8:29 AM on February 8, 2011
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posted by Faint of Butt at 12:12 PM on February 7, 2011