Nothing like the US of A.

Who doesn't love the US of A? Everybody loves America, in fact the whole world does. I love America.

It's a dynamic , creative society where freedom reigns supreme. America dominates just about everything on this planet from business to sports, from music to technology. America is the world and the world is America.

During the Cold War, America had shown her competitive side by making friends with everyone. 

Then the events of 9/11 shook the world, from here things haven't been  what they used to be.

Muslims regardless of nationality have been singled out as the terrorists of the world, in other words the Americans got paranoid. Because of their own confusion and their loss of self-confidence,  America under George W. Bush has transgressed the very values many have adored America for.

The might is right syndrome has become very much a part of the American foreign policy vocabulary. America went against the Geneva Conventions on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.She rejected the Kyoto accord on Global Warming and conjured up the Mother of all lies  by invading Iraq.

America under the current president has unfortunately lost her moral high ground.She has become an object of derision in many parts of the world. It's not wrong to say many don't take her seriously and don't even look up to her anymore.

Despite the negative perception of the country, it has not stopped some members of her current administration getting on their high horse dispensing "advice" how we should treat the current sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim.

Of all the Malaysian politicians , Anwar is one of those rare ones who has made it a personal crusade to network with the powers that be in Washington. People like me don't quite understand the real need for this.  Many leaders who had come under the influence of America had ended up as losers like the Shah of Iran, or even Saddam Hussein who'd had their  backing earlier when he was fighting the Iranians.

Like they say it's always something for something, and there is no free lunch in this world. 

Malaysians generally  prefer their politicians to be seen as independent and not come under the influence of any foreigners.

Granted no man is an island, but, the intimate relationships forged with  the many well known  neo-conservatives like Paul Wolfowitz, the main architect of  the Iraqi war, baffle many of us here. Politics is about perception, and Anwar is already guilty by  getting too close to the devil so to speak.

With the new sodomy allegations against Anwar,  it did not come as a surprise that America  got into the act by "telling" KL to play the game by the rule of law. Even her Secretary of State, Condi Rice has waded in.

The early American colonies had fought for their independence  when they'd refused to pay tax as they'd had no representatives in the British Parliament then. Their war cry had been "No Taxation Without Representation". On the same token, as a sovereign nation, our answer to America should be "No Interference Without Representation"!

Why is this concern for this particular politician? Should  Anwar become the Prime Minister of the country, how independent is he going to be in terms of formulating policies? Is he going to look after the best interests of the people or what? 

My main worry is Anwar might compromise his position to his international friends' viewpoints, which might not be in our best interest as a country.

 Can Anwar be independent of these powerful people?

 Meanwhile, more bumpy rides  for us, I reckon.