Lots of alternatives?

Post #32,375 by wharris2 3/15/02 3:33:38 PM Reply	Lots of alternatives? Explain them to me. We've tried sanctions. We've tried diplomacy. We sorta run out of options, other than just going in and killing them. Which we are currently doing. I actually don't see where we had any other options. We had run out of alternatives. Playing nice didn't work. Playing mean didn't work. Cutting off, or adding to, aid didn't work. I still like Jerry Pournelle's idea. Wherever there were documented pictures of people celebrating at the collapse of the World Trade Center, send the Marines and bulldozers in. Give the residents 30 minutes to evacuate. Bulldoze the area to the ground, salt the earth, and build a monument to our victims visible from space. Where each demon is slain, more hate is raised, yet hate unchecked also multiplies. - L. E. Modesitt
Post #32,383 by Brandioch 3/15/02 4:00:50 PM Reply	And the obvious conclusion to that. Where ever they see US citizens celebrating about us 'dozing their cities, send in another terrorist with a bomb. Personally, I'd rather see an end rather than a continuation.
Post #32,395 by marlowe 3/15/02 5:04:38 PM Reply	Incinerating them in their caves is a good start. Other things we can do: 1. Deport/detain potential terrorists who are in our country, and don't let any more in. We're a free country, but we needn't be a promiscuous one. 2. Take over any non-democratic country that doesn't play ball with us on this terror thing. First time, install a local proxy regime, or turn it all over to a more cooperative neighbor. Next time, march in and take over ourselves. (Interim Afghan government, take notice.) The UN may get in a snit, but they don't much matter. 2a. That won't work with China, because they're too powerful. Maybe a containment policy plus economic sanctions for them. Another cold war? Sure. This time we'll have the benefit of experience. 3. Ostracise any democratic country that doesn't play ball with us on terror. No entry visas for their citizens. Any ships coming in from such countries will be subject to rigorous, even onerous, inspection, before any cargo is unloaded. If their feelings are hurt, make it clear that we don't care. 4. Start a permanent military and intelligence alliance of free nations against terrorism. Great Britain, Japan, Australia and Canada are presumably in. We should invite the Philippines, Germany, Italy and South Korea as well. And to be diplomatic, I'll bend the definition of "free nation" to include both Russia and Mexico, and invite them in. We might also let France in, but only if they ask real nice, and take back all the stupid things they've been saying. Note that this option magnifies the effectiveness of the other options. Allies aren't mandatory, but they're nice to have. [link\|http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/marlowe/index.html\|http://www.angelfir...e/index.html] Truth is that which is the case. Accept no substitutes. If competence is considered "hubris" then may I and my country always be as "arrogant" as we can possibly manage.
Post #32,438 by wharris2 3/16/02 10:33:36 AM Reply	Holy cow, that's a good start! <g> Where each demon is slain, more hate is raised, yet hate unchecked also multiplies. - L. E. Modesitt

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