How the Mighty Have Fallen

Great article in the Guardian today by Ian Black who is always spot on. It talks about how Russia is, after a long period, finally playing from a position of strength and dictating the terms for the first time in a long time. They have the energy resources that heat up Europe, energy independence for themselves, a formidable military, and a big voice in international affairs (see Iran, N. Korea, Palestinian/Israeli negotiations) etc. But what I find more important here and my point of the day is...wow...how the mighty US has fallen. When can you last remember another country moving into another country backed by the US with no fear of American retaliation with the exception of "hey, we like...totally strongly disapprove of that"? That is what Russia has just done. They have gone into Georgia who have been HEAVILY backed by the US and feared no response. What a change of affairs. The Russian Bear is back. However, Russia's flexing of it's power has more to do with the fall of American influence. This is the real development in my opinion. For the first time in a long time the US comes from a position of weakness: in terms of value of our currency, our moral capital because of the Iraq debacle, our energy dependence to the Middle East and Russia, and our HUGE debt to China. Even countries like Bolivia and Venezuela are openly talking shit to us. Wow. The America monopoly of the "Super Power" title is slowly wading. This is a New World Order. And...who do we have to blame in large part? GW Bush. Thanks shithead! Can Obama save us? The task is too large and Obama cannot change what is now becoming a snowball effect. Besides, my better instincts tell me that he is not THAT much different that most Democrats and will not deviate that heavily from what we have seen so far. He will just do it with more style and grace. So learn Chinese people because we're going to be seeing a very different world in the next few decades. "Have the terrorists won?" Perhaps...this all started post 9/11 right?