Playground Politics

By Tara Coyle
The Peanut Gallery
on Homeland Security:

International relations regarding Ecuador are on shaky grounds, but they are small compared to the issues in our own political system. With military action looming overhead, we need a united front against international crime. Unfortunately, the situation is far from civil. The White House and the Republican National Committee can barely remain in the same room with one another let alone form some type of agreement. It appears that the issues at stake are being taken personally instead of professionally. You could have cut the tension with a knife!

In a joint press conference of the West Wing, the RNC and the White House seemed to be on completely different ends of the political spectrum. The RNC claimed that the West Wing did not have accurate sources, and that the information they received from the West Wing differed from what they heard from President Obama. Along with that, they argued that the there was no need for the government to step in on the lithium industry in Ecuador due to its disconnection with the government. The RNC believed the United States should focus on domestic issues before they worry about creating problems overseas. They did not believe that action needed to be taken.

On the other hand, the White House emphasized that military engagement was the last resort, despite statements that Obama inferred a military course of action. There was a string of facts that did not line up. They stressed the importance of diplomatic approaches to the situation. The plan could not be explained, but they assured the public that there was an outline that included talk and negotiation. This failure to propose any specific course of action led to a high level of skepticism.

There was a large gap between the flow of information with a disconnection of extreme proportions. It seemed nearly impossible for them to work together, because they were so focused on their disagreements.

In light of new events, it turns out that the Republican National Party was just in their opinions to leave Ecuador alone. It wasn’t the nations business to be involved. Ecuador was not taking part in illegal activity with the lithium industry, and thus not dangerous to the American people. If this information hadn’t come to the eyes of the government sooner, major conflict in Ecuador could have come about.

This makes an American citizen wonder where is the war really taking place, overseas or in the West Wing.