Dear Mr. Patrick J.  Buchanan

With utmost pleasure I have received from my dear old friend Mr. Robert Carter, US citizen, living in Houston, your published article “the Party is over”

 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20809.htm

My name is Manfred H. Hermann, German citizen, and living for over 25 years in different countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, and U.A.E. 

Of course I have been visiting your country for many times, too.

However, presently or better to say finally for the last 17 years I am living in Moscow, Russia. 

I totally agree with you that the people should be on the elevated platform of judgment. The fact that US citizens once more are degraded to the level of a spectator should make the US - Americans start to think and consequently react. 

Nothing in live is for free, one always has to pay a price – may it be cash, health, freedom or integrity. 

In such days, where citizens have to spend their daily live in tent – villages like refugees, phrases such as: 

- In every crisis there is a new chance for the future - 

are used frequently.

Such phrases are being used from officials and public persons to distract from facts and sweep true responsibilities under a big heavy carpet, hoping that somebody else will fix the problem or at least take the responsibility for it. (Dug and cover)

Ever since 3000 B.C. entire civilizations and so called Superpowers as the ancient Egyptians, Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, the Han Dynasty, Inkas, Spain, Napoleon, Portugal, Tsar Nikolaus II, the British Empire, the KuK Monarchy, Emperor William II, Adolf Hitler, GDR the USSR and many more have been wiped out for the same reasons:

Greed of rulers for wealth and power

Ignorance of rulers for the needs of the own population

Fear and ignorance of the population towards the rulers

The loss of values 

How can a nation believe that there is no conflict off interests and the independence of decisions is secured, if the presidential election campaign is costing millions of dollars, sponsored by multinational companies and lobbies? If it is acceptable to the American public that big money can buy the key to the Oval Office than the American public should not be surprised that obligations have to be met.

The New York Times wrote on July 18th. 2004 that the entire American press has not been critical enough how the Bush administration reasoned the war in Iraq. It was known by than, that Iraq had no biological or nuclear weapons, which was given as the reason for invading Iraq. Yet the American public has re-elected the Mr. Bush for Presidency. Who will take responsibility for:

USD 3 trillion total cost so far

30634 wounded American soldiers

4521 killed Coalition Soldiers, 4207 of which are American soldiers

8760 killed Iraqi Soldiers and Police-forces

1001 killed Members of private Security and Military companies (i.e. Blackwater Worldwide)

As per ORB (Opinion Research Business) between 946,000 and 1,120,000 Iraqi have been killed between March 03 and August 07

This war is not an isolated incident but a consequence of lacking values and some weird self understanding. This war is a second Vietnam which in a similar way and manner has been swept away and covered. Until today the USA has not had the decency to give any aid to the many victims they have caused for no good reason what so ever other than self-righteous bigoted ideology.

In 1963 the world was on the edge of the 3 world war and the first atomic war when the USSR placed missiles in the front garden of the USA.

Today the American public accepts without any criticism that the USA is placing Missiles in the front garden of Russia.

One gets to ask what kind of nation is it, that wants to be a superpower but refuses to sign the Rome Statutes. On May 6th, 2002, the U.S. formally notified the United Nations that the U.S. does not intend to become a party to the Rome statute. This way Mr. Bush avoided to stand accused by the ICC of being a war criminal. Furthermore it is clear evidence that the Bush administration has planned their Invasion well in advance under any circumstances and how they want to conduct this issue.

A nation which accepts that international law and human rights are ignored as it is done until today in Guantanamo Bay has forfeit the claim of being a super power. 

A nation that stages a war like a Hollywood science fiction film has lost its sense for respectability. 

A nation that accepts death sentences should not pray for god to save America. 

A nation that treats 8 Year old children in the same manner than adult criminals have lost the sense for humanity. 

A nation that accepts boot-camps for children have lost any sense for any respect for live.

How can such a nation claim to be a world leader if this nation does not even treat their own children with respect?

A nation which needs to wear weapons in their every days live are scared of their community.

A nation that does not take care of those in need is no more than a crowd of individuals without any common interests that ought not try to bully other nations to the same system. 

The one who places shareholder value above everything else justifies the exploitation of every working man and woman. 

A nation where the only value is money is lost.

Certainly all of that is known by the American folks. The world of today needs a strong USA but based on solid ethic principals to keep other countries from adopting even more and most of all, to keep a balance.

When nowadays citizens from around the world are blaming their governments for not doing any better we should never forget, that any Nation around the world always gets the government it deserves.

Let’s hope for the better - be it in USA, Russia, China or any European country.

Exciting and boring events which we where facing during the last year with extremely outstanding and different circumstances, followed with emotions, successful moments, hope, love, hate, give and take, loosing and winning.

Disregarding those circumstances and special moments, we shall always remember that time is the only value we don’t have unlimited.

No matter whatever will be in 2009, let’s simply face it.

We shall and will always find reason for celebrating the most valuables……

……….Health, happiness, love, family, friends, luck and joy.

I am whishing you and your family a HAPPY   NEW YEAR

and remain with kind regards from Moscow

Manfred Hermann