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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
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