American Interests Politically neutral blog intended to disseminate knowledge of, highlight threats to, explore opportunities for and, above all else, serve as a platform of advocacy for the continuance and preservation of global American dominance. Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 5 0 20 99

Articles from American Interests

U.S. Economy: Assessing the whole 2008-04-08 01:52:00 ..."Statistics and numbers fail to tell the whole story because prescribed methodologies used to derive them are not keeping pace with the new economies..."It’s been noted with interest that most, though not all our business dailies, web news pages and general online portals, are giving the U.S. economy a fair share of viewer real estate all the while, painting a grim picture. It remains true that the most recent data is not encouraging, least not on the surface. The mainstream’s pre-occupation with the negative, a propensity, if you will, to advance quantities of negative data with little if any mention of the positives (and there are many) only serves to exacerbate matters for a populace whose confidence in their economy is already declining.While the U.S. is riding a rough patch, if commentators can remain cool, that is, if some of the self-righteous doomsayers can take a few steps back from the numbers, rather than generate a paragraph or two for every tenth of a point fall, t ...

Charlton Heston 1923 – 2008 2008-04-06 10:10:00 I was busy writing a forthcoming post when news broke of Charlton Heston’s death; news that stopped me in my tracks.An outspoken Democrat during the 1960’s, his political views swung to the right in his senior years becoming a conservative and unapologetic supported of the National Rifle Association. He was also awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.Heston’s other awards and honors include, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award.Though much will be written of his life on coming days I felt a strong compulsion to post on the actors passing right here at American Interests – a giant of American cinema.The Heston family issued a statement that can be viewed here. Fellow bloggers that have posted on this include:Karen at The Pondering Penguin, Another Giant F ...

The Internet and American Interests blog 2008-04-02 06:01:00 While surfing idly I came across an interesting post at the neo-neocon site that motivated me to post an offshoot in relation to this blog. I too, when viewing my site meter am astounded to note the far-reaching scope and geographic’s of my visitors. One knows too well the reach of the World Wide Web, but viewed so graphically, in the form of such a colorful pie chart, it seems to take on a larger dimension, and clearly demonstrates the amazing power of the internet even with a small blog such as American Interests.American Interests.blogCountry Share As of December 30, 2007, 1.319 billion people use the Internet and it has been asserted, that the medium has become a fundamental feature of global civilization, uniting us in ways unimaginable only recently. As a youngster, I fondly recall being fascinated by such unsophisticated luxuries as short wave radio, or like when my late father would wake me in the early hours to watch World Cup soccer, and seeing the words, “live via Satell ...

Re-visited: Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative 2008-04-01 18:07:00 Reagan’s speech instilled a sense of nationalistic pride and healthy patriotism that, apart form a temporary surge following the September 2001 attacks, has been faltering since. His words engendered hope and belief in a way that crossed party lines; he made Americans feel, American.This past week saw the silver anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” speech pass without as much as a whisper. I found this mildly surprising in light of the $120 billion already spent and given that the White House has a current request, for a further $12 billion for 2009. The development of a ballistic missile shield remains a contentious and expensive task even after 25 years.I will refrain from lending to the pro and against arguments for continued research and testing in relation to the SDI program and related technologies; they are well documented, suffice to add, that paired with offensive capabilities, defensive actions such as SDI and homeland security measures, all play a role in stren ...

Do you like American Interests.blogspot? 2008-03-31 06:34:00 Do you read/like this blog and accept as true its central premise that America remains the ultimate guarantor of the way of life that most of us in the West enjoy? That America remains an overwhelming force for good in the world.If so, can I be bold and ask that you add this site to your Technorati favorites and subscribe to the feed. The links are provided in the right hand pane. Spread the word, tell your friends, workmates and associates about it. It's these little things that help this blog to grow and expand the reader base. For those that have already done so, thanks!Finally, please permit me to express my sincere gratitude to a sponsor, the VA Mortgage Center and acknowledge the fine work they do in addressing the specific mortgage lending needs of veterans and active military members alike. America's veterans and active duty personnel should be rewarded for their service and sacrifice.This post will remain on top until the end of the month. Please scroll down a little and ch ...

China’s 2008 Defense Budget 2008-03-27 16:07:00 When I look at the bigger picture, taking into account China’s increasing ASAT capabilities, these developments pose a threat of an altered nature… How long before China’s might develops into an effective bargaining chip in negotiations with the West…In what reflects the countries rapid economic growth, China recently announced plans to increase defense spending by just short of 18% to 417.77 billion yuan (58.8 billion). According to spokes person, Jiang Enzhu, the additional money will be used to buy hi-tech armaments” as it continues transforming its 2.3 million man forces into a more sophisticated and modern fighting machine. In comparative terms, for the U.S. to increase its defense expenditure by an equivalent proportion it would be akin to a rise of between $90 and $100billion.Sums and figures aside, one cannot help but dismiss China’s assurances that such defense increases, will not pose a threat to other nations. In recent years, they have expanded their interconti ...

Russia according to Vladimir Putin 2008-03-22 04:44:00 "Russia demands more respect from and equality with Washington and a free hand in world politics. In key respects, Moscow’s new foreign policy grows out of the logic of its ever more autocratic and neo-imperial political structure.” Two Thousand and Seven was the year that the Russians once again growled for attention. Like a bear returning from a long sleep after nearly two long decades, it first attracted this author’s attention in June with Putin using some stiff language while addressing Bush over the U.S. missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. Not long after, the Russians engaged in some in some good old-fashioned saber rattling by resuming the Soviet-era practice of sending strategic bombers on long-range flights well beyond its borders. By October, Putin was cozying up with an old foe in Iran; proving that although Russia's relationship with its southern Persian neighbor has been rocky, both nations share a common passion, distrust for the west and the United States i ...

Why we like Blogs 2008-03-19 06:00:00 In Andrew Bolt's words..."Steve Boriss of The Future of News hails the rise of blogging over traditional journalism:Blogging allows rumors to be followed by updates, journalism doesn’t. Bloggers are independent of oversight by editors who slow down publication while removing the style, opinion, rumors, risk, and edge. Journalists aren’t. Oh, and there’s one more difference. Blogging is growing because news consumers prefer all of the above. Journalism isn’t."It would appear that Bloggers and the media’s uneasy co-existence continues. Not meaning to sound exceedingly defensive of the latter, fact is, we bloggers do rely on big media for information, for mine the fun part involves the intermittent non-acceptance and dissection facet of what some have called, citizen journalism.Andrew Bolt's excellent blog can be viewed hereWhat do you think ...

America and Globalization: Strategy for a New Century - Part 2 2008-03-15 19:48:00 ".... Here’s a question; is it realistic to believe that consensus between nations can maintain order through a system in which states voluntarily abide by rules? History alone would dictate a negative response. States cooperate because there is an in-balance of power between them not the reverse...."It was not the intention to post a follow up piece to the initial, March 5 article; however, reader consensus, as noted in comments received, compelled me otherwise. But before we continue allow me to make a point, the article did not seek to advocate the merits or otherwise of Globalization, more exactly, it highlighted what I see as a growing need for America to gain control of its growth for the very reasons highlighted in your comments. The original piece can be read here.Some of the concerns raised are noteworthy and understandable. Said Tapline, “That it compromises sovereignty and nation status” and analogies with the EU. Of being akin to balkanization, and evaporation of nat ...

Apollo program: No better example of American ingenuity 2008-03-11 06:28:00 What other endeavor has meant more to our species, what other adventure can be used as a benchmark by which we can measure the incredible capacity of human kind and American potential. You will have to excuse me for being a tad late with this one. By my estimations, “In the shadow of the moon” was released in the states around September. It was thrust to my attention once again because of a screening at one of my local cinemas. It is quite a documentary, and tells the story of one of the most defining passages in U.S. history. The Apollo program may have brought the aspirations of a nation to the moon but also, to a fascinated world. Sadly, many of those that did appreciate the sheer enormity of the achievement have passed on, as for the rest of us, many have come to take it for granted. In total, some nine spacecraft were blasted into history in the four years from 1968 onwards. It was an extraordinary era in American history, and a moment in time for which all humankind should b ...

John Howard accepts Irving Kristol award - defends his Conservative Legacy 2008-03-06 04:50:00 I speak to you tonight as an unapologetic and continuing advocate of the broad conservative cause, restlessly conscious, as you are, that the battle of ideas is never completely won and must always command both our attention and our energy.John Howard has launched a strong defense of his legacy, breaking his silence following last year's election loss. The former prime minister used a speech to the conservative US think tank, the American Enterprise Institute to attack his successor over his new policies including Iraq.To a standing ovation from over 1400 guests that included former United Nations ambassador John Bolton, Vice President Dick Cheney's wife Lynne, and former World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, Mr Howard defended his Government’ record and personal convictions:"I speak to you tonight as a continuing and unapologetic advocate of the broad conservative cause, but restlessly conscious, as I know you will be, that the battle of ideas is never completely won," he said.He ...

America and Globalization: Strategy for a New Century 2008-03-05 21:02:00 Tomorrow’s all-inclusive global strategy must, apart from the aforementioned challenges and promotions of democratic regimes, address the consequences of successful rampant globalization. When I look ahead, attempting to ascertain the likely challenges America will face in the coming century, I note another, not so apparent test for U.S. hegemony, as we know it, one that may not be as immediately critical as, for example, homeland security, or the war on terror.A world without terrorists and autocrats is desirable however, owing to an impending explosion of economic, population and income growth, global consumption, energy utilization, resource competition, unbound market activity and investment flows, as facilitated by the ‘G’ word, the United States will be compelled to focus on the bigger picture or face diminished relevance.The ‘G’ word my friends is globalization, that remarkable phenomenon born in the boardrooms of America’s Trans-national’s; that is was a concept ...

Iran: The penultimate step is now within sight 2008-03-01 05:40:00 ... "Knowledge, insight and extrapolations of realism have reasoned that the future brings risk; the theocrats aspire to dominance within the entire Muslim world. The penultimate step is now within sight, an action that will deliver empire underpinned as it will be, by nuclear hardware, a pursuit that remains non-negotiable my friends..." After much deception and accommodationist negotiations that amounted to failed diplomacy, Iran officially went nuclear in 2012. On the 4th day of November 2014, Obama, Clinton or McCain are midway through their second term of presidency, “an Iranian missile is fired from a barge in international waters, and detonates over Kansas at 300 miles altitude. The resulting EMP burns circuits in America's electric and communication networks. Within milliseconds, at least 70 percent of America's twin electrical infrastructures are destroyed. America is plunged instantaneously into the year 1875. Recovery takes many months, perhaps more than a year. Thousan ...

Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SAS): Strengthening the Alliance 2008-02-26 05:15:00 "When the U.S. decided to take action against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Canberra’s response was to send in the cream of Australia’s military, the SAS. Modeled on the British SAS and feared by potential enemies, little was known of Australia’s Special Forces, the Australian Government has been secretive of there operations..." For nearly 100 years, Australia has committed its armed services in every major conflict fought by the United States. Its foreign policy makers and its people have mostly accepted that the U.S. is a force for good; a force that historically we have wanted to be associated with. Beginning in 1908 when Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin successfully invited Teddy Roosevelt to send his fleet to visit our shores through to the fighting in WW1. From when John Curtin turned our military operations over to U.S. General Douglas Macarthur during WWII, through to Vietnam and presently, Afghanistan and Iraq - some 50,000 Australians, including ground troops and ...

Dallas Police Department Website Hacked 2008-02-22 17:48:00 "The alliance system lead by America is, for all intensive purposes our international security system, one that nurtures peace and prosperity for all nations, indeed for the whole planet. Which other nation or nation collective can give us this. "The Dallas Police Department Website was shut down Monday after it was hacked resulting in political rhetoric in the form of an anti-American rant nature, being posted on the site. Also posted were doctored images displaying U.S. troops looking over four people lined up against a wall.I have stumbled upon some sites claiming that Russians were responsible, to date however, I am unable to find any credible news sites to confirm this.Sott.net has a reprint (with corrections to spelling and grammar) of the screenshot that reads:'You, Americans, are really stupid if you can't see what really occurs in the world and in your country! You society is ruled through and through. You are under the control of religious fanatics! Your children kill each ...