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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

Is it just me or does the news item about the US setting up an Office of Global Communications to address it's 'image problem' sound similar to Microsoft's mock surprise that people don't like them ("Many of us feel a disconnect in the way we see ourselves and our mission and motives, and the way we are portrayed, and only we can change that" - hey, Steve, maybe just maybe it's us that are seeing you right rather than you, had you considered that?) and hollow promises of improvement?
"The CFR report however notes that basic American values such as a belief in the democratic tradition, freedom of expression, women's rights, and education, are still admired around the world. Much could be gained, it says, from selling American ideas and policies alongside these popular values." Well how about that. Much could also be gained from avoiding illegal steel tariff barriers, signing global warming treaties, endorsing the International Criminal Court and generally acting as a 21st century global citizen instead of a 19th century cattle baron or (maybe more accurately) as a Texas oil baron.

posted at 1:09 AM (UK) | |