How is this a problem?

I don't get it; why is this coming up? I thought The Barracuda took care of it - after all, she and McCain have talked nonstop about her extensive foreign policy experience by virtue that Alaska's right next to Russia. Shouldn't Superwoman have nipped this in the bud?

Do you know Russia and China have been doing military exercises together for a few years now? (Hint: It wasn't while Clinton was still in office.) Do you know Venezuela just got in on that deal as well? Chavez believes he has plenty of reason to be angry with the U.S., particularly the Bush administration. And if you think Chavez has no basis for his assertions, consider the fact that Venezuela is still one of the U.S.'s major oil suppliers - it was an even bigger supplier before the 2002 coup to overthrow him, which he has always asserted was an attempt by the U.S. to gain control of the country's petroleum resources. (Think it's farfetched? Do you also really believe we invaded Iraq to "spread democracy?")

As for setting off China by going to war with an ally - well, how do you think we've been able to stay at war as long as we have, and still make those $600 refunds to every taxpaying citizen earlier this year? Our government has mortgaged our great-grandchildren's future to China up to the eyeballs.

We in the U.S. are this close to fucking with the single most dangerous combined military and economic force on the face of the Earth. (Yes, bigger than us.) Barracuda's got no problem going to war with Russia - but I do. I don't think we have an ally left, of any size, who'd be stupid enough to go along with us on this. Russia is already making noises about cutting its import of U.S. poultry and pork - and they're one of our biggest customers for these. (Hint: There isn't much besides agriculture the U.S. exports anymore.)

Besides, if we go to war, we are no longer set up to manufacture our own small weapons, artillery, clothing and other supplies. We will not be in a position to reap a "boom" economy like we did off of WWII - nor will we likely have "right" on our side. But I'm sure we have no worries - I mean, we have a ready supplier we buy anything like that from now, right? China should be happy to ... oh, wait. Nevermind.

New POTC fic: "Turning Pirate"

Title: “Turning Pirate”
Rating: PG
Characters: Will, Elizabeth, Barbossa, others
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I am earning no profit off their depiction.
Summary: Will tries to come to terms with drastic changes – including within himself – following the events of DMC.
A/N: Written for kahva's prompt, “Mast" for the turningpirate ficathon. Credit goes to betas gryphons_lair, metalkatt, yoiebear, and a_silver_rose. I tried a new style (well, to me; readers of tessabeth and viva_gloria particularly will recognize it).


( Rough waters! Squall’s a-coming! )