I would not...

Post #9,171 by bepatient 9/14/01 4:29:36 PM Reply	I would not... ...consider that exchange a "go ahead". And my original post was a response to the carpet bombing comment made by our illustrious other poster. Like I said...US sentiment right now would support a random attack that killed thousands of civilians. We will not, however, do that. These leaders may view that as a weakness. I hope the people they rule realize that it is, instead, a blessing. Our actions against Iraq were actions against military targets in a time of war. A war we may have, according to you, been able to avoid at the diplomatic table. A war that Saddam had ample time to avoid simply by backing his tanks up some 100 miles....about a 3 hour trip. Instead...he watched a multinational force build for weeks. Did he think it would not be used against him? You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! _{Laurie Anderson} [link\|mailto:bepatient@aol.com\|BePatient]
Post #9,174 by Silverlock 9/14/01 4:44:51 PM Reply	So we disagree It appears to me that tacit permission was indeed given to Saddam to go ahead with his kuwait invasion. He may have decided against the invasion without the permission, but I personally doubt it. I think he was going to attack Kuwait no matter what. As far as retreating goes, I think he truly felt he could win so why would he retreat? Ludicrous in retrospect, but I think he was going from the history of our war in Viet Nam and expected a repeat. "Those who desire to give up Freedom in order to gain Security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." --Thomas Jefferson
Post #9,207 by TTC 9/14/01 8:25:45 PM Reply	Re: I would not... > And my original post was a response to the carpet bombing comment made by our illustrious other poster. Would it somehow change the overall US reaction if only it was only the Pentagon (a Military target)? Again. I am NOT justifying the rationale, there is NONE. Nada. These are the actions of fanatical loonies, from a RATIONAL point of view. Just taking Iraq as an example. To those in Iraq, civilians or lunatics or otherwise, their beliefs, regardless of whether RIGHT OR WRONG, based on truth or myth, whatever, is that no matter what they do, they will no longer be given proper sovereign right, with economic embargo and other sanctions, and with the US constantly trying to "make trouble" for them. Can you imagine bombs dropping over military targets in US for say its action over Cuba by say Iraq? [link\|http://www.leler.com/cuba/embargo.html\|http://www.leler.co...embargo.html] Yes, only military targets. What then? I can understand the grief and anger over the attack. But what the heck, the way you guys are reacting to my post, it's like I'm one of those ****ing lunatics who are somehow involved in the attack.
Post #9,223 by bepatient 9/14/01 9:43:13 PM Reply	Relax dude. I understand where you're coming from. We're not the most loved nation on the planet. And this has been covered over and over again. We're hated...but we're also the first asked for help. The "damned if you do, damned if you don't" argument. We've never been consistent in Middle East policy...or Far East policy...etc... However, our policies change due to the nature of our people and our government of the people. We have a short term view. What we want now will not be what we want 10 years from now. Other cultures have a problem identifying with that...much the same as we have difficulty identifying with cultures like the Chinese whose viewpoint encompasses history and long term thought. It would be helpful if everyone figured that out. Like us or not...we have to be dealt with...and this terrorist activity will only piss us off...and pissing us off can be very dangerous. I've a feeling you'll see just how dangerous in a very short time. You were born...and so you're free...so Happy Birthday! _{Laurie Anderson} [link\|mailto:bepatient@aol.com\|BePatient]
Post #9,245 by TTC 9/15/01 12:14:45 AM Reply	Re: Relax dude. > I understand where you're coming from. Thank you. It's definitely better than "who give a hoot what the world thinks" kind of reponses I've received. > We're not the most loved nation on the planet. And this has been covered over and over again. We're hated...but we're also the first asked for help. The "damned if you do, damned if you don't" argument. Kind of similar to the US laws on Monopoly. You've got to tread carefully. > It would be helpful if everyone figured that out. Like us or not...we have to be dealt with...and this terrorist activity will only piss us off...and pissing us off can be very dangerous. I've a feeling you'll see just how dangerous in a very short time. Hopefully that will not be necessary.
Post #9,213 by Ashton 9/14/01 9:10:57 PM Reply	I want to share your assessment. That is, I agree it would not be in our 'national character' to readily yield to (what the Hermann Kahn boys called) spasm war. What concerns me is the person serving as Selected Resident, his life-history and (whatever) relationship to Dad. This-all is coming too close to Greek tragedy; Son one-ups Dad: goes All the Way (no more wimpy Saddam mistakes of, stopping at the gates). Now throw in : Powell.. And John Ashcroft (re taking care of civil liberties 'at home' - during a decared 'emergency'). No of course I have no 'data' on the inner workings of Bushie IIs mind -- but recall how EARLY came into that steel-trap the phrase, (maybe a word altered, but I heard him say it) ..this will not stand. Can we ID the source for that? (We are not here dealing in this game with, FDR's Brain Trust - and we need actually more than that - given the Jihad and meta-Jihad overtones.) A.

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