Bush’s spousal abuse syndrome

Relationships are about trust. They become dysfunctional when that trust breaks down.

Bush is now traipsing across Europe stroking their egos and telling them what wonderful people they are. This, after telling them how worthless they were back in 2002.

This is the political version of the cycle of spousal abuse. First, the arrogant self-centered husband beats the crap out of his wife and tells her how utterly worthless she is and how she’d never survive without him (with multiple meanings implied). Then later he goes back and pets on her, telling her how much he loves her and that he’s really just doing what he thinks is best. He may or may not say he's 'sorry.'

Classic wife beater syndrome. But will Europe fall for it?

What’s really at play here is Bush has figured out that his little adventure in the Middle East turned out to be more shit than he can scrape off his shoe. The GOP would not politically survive a draft. And the U.S. doesn’t have enough current military manpower to subjugate the whole region at once.

So Bush is trying to get the Europeans more involved in slapping Iran into line. Bush’s new coalition efforts is once again a coalition of the willing (which is great for P.R.) but not a coalition of the ABLE (meaning America will still do all the work).

It won’t matter how many Euros cry about Iran’s nuclear programs. History has taught the world one thing: America won’t bother you if you have nukes. Since WW2, America has sent troops a lot of places, none of which had nuclear weapons. Iran has two clear examples before it: Iraq and North Korea. One had nukes, the other got invaded. No amount of diplomacy can outweigh those facts. Iran no doubt believes it's own freedom and independence require them to have nukes.

Plus, there’s the whole issue of NATO. The European Union is currently looking into an alternative military alliance that does not include the U.S. Since Bush made it clear in 2002 he didn’t give a crap what the Euros thought about anything, they are wising up that they better get their own ducks in a row. They don’t know how much they can trust America in this age of Bush.

I think Europe will go along with Bush diplomatically for now. They’ll smile and pretend everything’s alright. But in the back of their minds, they know. They know they’re getting the velvet palm right now. But they’re also watching for the iron fist. They’re playing the game, but do they really trust us? I doubt it.