Our loss of mythical power and another front porch campaign

Michael Vlahos, no leftist, tells us how much America has lost in the post 9/11 debacle:

1. The world assumed that American power was totipotent- when we projected our shock and awe into Iraq with such disastrous consequences, others saw how limited our power was - we could kill but we couldn’t build or control. The failure of the Bush-Olmert Lebanon shock and awe invasion reinforced this. Likely future Israeli attacks into Gaza will increase the disconnect.

2. Foreigners trusted America in 1950 - we were the free world. We rebuilt the countries defeated in World War II, lifted them up. We promised to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. What a cruel joke, as we rain death and destruction from the skies onto the people and countryside of Iraq and Afghanistan today. When our bombs kill children, we blame  the insurgents - they surround themselves with women and children. Why don’t they fight fair? Foreigners see it differently-  the American government and the American military are like Samson pulling down the temple on top of himself.