Joe quoted in NY Times on NATO problems

[Muttocracy]

not new stuff but always nice to come across him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/15/world/europe/15nato.html?_r=1&th=&emc=th&pagewanted=all
NATO Expansion, and a Bush Legacy, Are in Doubt

By STEVEN LEE MYERS and THOM SHANKER
Published: March 15, 2008

WASHINGTON — President Bush’s efforts to cement a trans-Atlantic legacy by adding three nations to NATO appear in disarray as the alliance struggles with internal political divisions, new tensions with Russia and the combat mission in Afghanistan that have exposed disparities of might and will among current members, officials, diplomats and analysts said.

...

Expanding NATO remains politically popular in the United States. At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, no lawmaker or official spoke against inviting the three countries, but even supporters raised concerns, especially given the debate over NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, the Democratic chairman of the committee, said many were concerned “that we may build this so big that it can’t function.” One reason the alliance can be cumbersome is that its members operate on consensus, meaning that one country can essentially block action. That is the case with Greece, a NATO member since 1952, and Macedonia.

...

[jillan]

1. I sleep better at nite know Joe is out there fighting for what is right.

[Muttocracy]

2. it is comforting. And I'm almost glad he's avoiding this mayhem

:hi:

[jillan]

3. I am too. I would hate to see what they would be putting Joe thru right now if he made it this far

[PatSeg]

4. You know, that thought has crossed my mind

numerous times in the past month. I have no doubt it would have gotten ugly, but of course, Joe would have handled it better.