This is the second installment of my “mini series” on the NATO Summit last week, which I was surprisingly and amusingly authorized to attend. The first installment can be found here. Everywhere you went in the sprawling NATO convention hall, tucked into a nondescript enclave someplace in the northeastern corner of Madrid, there were subtle signs of enduring US primacy. The fact of enduring US primacy within NATO could not be more blindingly obvious to anyone with a lick of common sense, but it’s a fact which must often be tip-toed around given the pretension that NATO is some sort of gloriously egalitarian Alliance — in which 30 member states democratically decide how to ensure their collective security interests.
"Maybe that’s because they’re just innately dumb, or maybe it’s because they expend so much of their mental reserves on the pointlessly theatrical aspects of the job, such as coordinating their ridiculous “stand-up shots” for the glistening TV cameras."
There was a popular Washington adage in the Watergate era that still fits Washington activity. "An ounce of facade is worth a pound of substance." All that's left after decades is the facade.
"But the US journalists, it has to be said, just come across as substantially dumber."
I'll admit ... I laughed out loud when I read this. Thanks, as always, for saying the things our pompous, uninformed, elite and supremely ignorant 'media' fail to see about themselves.
Isn't US primacy over NATO in large part because the US pays more of NATO's bills than any other member?
I am not a Trumper and I did not vote for the guy. But, when Trump complained about European nations like Germany that do not spend enough on their own national defense, leaving NATO and the US to make up the gap, it probably scared the shit out of the "very serious" US planners. They want to prop up and perpetuate the established NATO hierarchy, not give the Europeans more responsibility and influence. The US must always dominate and spending more than the others gives America that privilege.
As for the future of NATO, US planners seem to be guided by a simple rule: "Keep America up, Germany down, and Russia out."
As we sleepwalk towards nuclear Armageddon she wants to discuss abortion policy! I attribute this inability to focus on the matter at hand and matters that concern the fate of all mankind mainly on two developments: the dumbing down of the US educational system from kindergarten through elite universities and the conversion of the news media to a entertainment profit center. Universities have lost their intellectual rigor by massive grade inflation that doesn't reward real effort and a focus on woke social issues to the point that hard math and science courses are "racist". And, of course, any discussion that casts doubt on current progressive positions is by definition "racist white supremist misinformation". The end result is a generation of ignorant, intolerant, hollow shells. As to my other point, it's all about the clicks. It isn't about the vital national issues, they can be boring, it's about what will attract eyes to the media. It's going to be a long hard struggle to reverse this situation and the outcome is in doubt.
You've got it all wrong. In order to put yourself in a position to ask a substantive question, you first need to weasel yourself past the gatekeepers by asking a "softball" like, "Mr. President did you enjoy the poached fish they served at lunch today?". Or shout out a question that will get his attention such as, "Mr. President, to what do you attribute your 97% approval rating in the latest Quinnipiac poll?". Once you have his attention, THEN you follow-up with the real question.
“the US journalists, it has to be said, just come across as substantially dumber”
Most of them have prestigious Ivy League degrees and therefore they are stupid. I admit there’s some missing logic to that theory but I’m going to hire a think tank of Ivy League bootlickers to polish it up and publish it in a prestigious journal and then it will be true.
So, apparently, John Kirby is speaking for the UK now.
--Every leader at NATO and every leader at the G-7 said they were going to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said John Kirby, the National Security Council strategic communications coordinator, in an interview on Fox. “I think President Zelensky understands that he has that international support, regardless of what government is in power in any one of those countries.--
"Disgrace: US President Joe Biden who claims to 'lead' NATO alliance of 30 nations doesn't take a single question from a non-US news outlet. To be fair, this is on White House staff who prepare his list."
"To be fair?" Is this some kind of a justification? Is he really suggesting the President of the United States and ultimate Commander in Chief of the 30-nation NATO alliance shouldn't be expected to call on journalists who are not on a piece of paper supplied by one of his flunkies?
"Maybe that’s because they’re just innately dumb, or maybe it’s because they expend so much of their mental reserves on the pointlessly theatrical aspects of the job, such as coordinating their ridiculous “stand-up shots” for the glistening TV cameras."
There was a popular Washington adage in the Watergate era that still fits Washington activity. "An ounce of facade is worth a pound of substance." All that's left after decades is the facade.
"But the US journalists, it has to be said, just come across as substantially dumber."
I'll admit ... I laughed out loud when I read this. Thanks, as always, for saying the things our pompous, uninformed, elite and supremely ignorant 'media' fail to see about themselves.
This would be funny if it weren't so horrific.
Isn't US primacy over NATO in large part because the US pays more of NATO's bills than any other member?
I am not a Trumper and I did not vote for the guy. But, when Trump complained about European nations like Germany that do not spend enough on their own national defense, leaving NATO and the US to make up the gap, it probably scared the shit out of the "very serious" US planners. They want to prop up and perpetuate the established NATO hierarchy, not give the Europeans more responsibility and influence. The US must always dominate and spending more than the others gives America that privilege.
As for the future of NATO, US planners seem to be guided by a simple rule: "Keep America up, Germany down, and Russia out."
As we sleepwalk towards nuclear Armageddon she wants to discuss abortion policy! I attribute this inability to focus on the matter at hand and matters that concern the fate of all mankind mainly on two developments: the dumbing down of the US educational system from kindergarten through elite universities and the conversion of the news media to a entertainment profit center. Universities have lost their intellectual rigor by massive grade inflation that doesn't reward real effort and a focus on woke social issues to the point that hard math and science courses are "racist". And, of course, any discussion that casts doubt on current progressive positions is by definition "racist white supremist misinformation". The end result is a generation of ignorant, intolerant, hollow shells. As to my other point, it's all about the clicks. It isn't about the vital national issues, they can be boring, it's about what will attract eyes to the media. It's going to be a long hard struggle to reverse this situation and the outcome is in doubt.
I think the best argument against a war with Russia is, "do you really want to go into World War III with these idiots in charge?"
You've got it all wrong. In order to put yourself in a position to ask a substantive question, you first need to weasel yourself past the gatekeepers by asking a "softball" like, "Mr. President did you enjoy the poached fish they served at lunch today?". Or shout out a question that will get his attention such as, "Mr. President, to what do you attribute your 97% approval rating in the latest Quinnipiac poll?". Once you have his attention, THEN you follow-up with the real question.
My question is, where the shuttle buses electric?
“the US journalists, it has to be said, just come across as substantially dumber”
Most of them have prestigious Ivy League degrees and therefore they are stupid. I admit there’s some missing logic to that theory but I’m going to hire a think tank of Ivy League bootlickers to polish it up and publish it in a prestigious journal and then it will be true.
Thanks.
Thank you for an insightful synopsis.
Great reporting. And I'm glad you wore your mask on the bus. Now you most assuredly will not get the covid 20.
This is amazing. You got to see Boris Johnson on his Farewell Tour... of sorts.
So, apparently, John Kirby is speaking for the UK now.
--Every leader at NATO and every leader at the G-7 said they were going to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said John Kirby, the National Security Council strategic communications coordinator, in an interview on Fox. “I think President Zelensky understands that he has that international support, regardless of what government is in power in any one of those countries.--
Regardless of what government is in power?
I’m glad those moronic, entitled, arrogant journalists had to wear masks(except you). Arrogant and ignorant. A dangerous combination
Looking forward to part 3 of your mini series! Being a Swede, I'm interested in what Erdogan said during his pressconference.
"Disgrace: US President Joe Biden who claims to 'lead' NATO alliance of 30 nations doesn't take a single question from a non-US news outlet. To be fair, this is on White House staff who prepare his list."
"To be fair?" Is this some kind of a justification? Is he really suggesting the President of the United States and ultimate Commander in Chief of the 30-nation NATO alliance shouldn't be expected to call on journalists who are not on a piece of paper supplied by one of his flunkies?