Posted on 03/25/2003 2:44:00 PM PST by RobRoy
Is it just possible that we WANT the opportunity to use a small nuke? Let me run this up the flag and see if anyone salutes it.
It has been said that it would be a PR catastrophe if we used nukes, even if chemical or bio WMD’s were used. But is that really true, and is world opinion really the deterent it once wast? Those countries who hate us are irrelevant since they will hate us before and after the use. Those who love us can be convinced (at least officially) that the use was justified, especially if the target was military. Those that are on the fence will have the same feelings that everyone will have – They will fear us. There will be saber rattling in the UN, but they are effectively irrelevant, thanks to George W. Bush giving them just enough rope to hang themselves with 1441. There will be outcry and probably rioting in the streets of our enemies, but it only hurts them, not us. It can be quelled here, partly with the support of those of us that support the war effort, which are the overwhelming majority and would probably still be, given the conditions under which the weapons were used.
The point is, in a world where our greatest enemy respects only one thing – power backed by the will to use it – there may be a move afoot within our administration to demonstrate that very thing. This would be especially true if the world is basically dependent on trade with the US to keep their economies status quo.
The overwhelming force we are already using, coupled with the willingness to use nukes, could silence all comers outside our borders. In the immediate future, North Korea comes to mind. Within our borders we have “Homeland security” and the Patriot Act to keep would-be terrorists in check (it DOES work). The risk of attacks at home will increase by giving many enemies more motives to damage us, but the effect of our tightened security may more than offset that.
We are entering a new era of human history. A world where one nation has more power, economically and militarily, than the rest of the world combined. We are hated by many countries, some justifiably, and some out of envy or jealousy. Those that ARE with us are with us because, to no small degree, they are betting on the winning horse – and they already fear us, at least to some degree. MAD is basically dead and buried in a common grave with the Soviet Union.
So where does that leave us? China is on the verge of a prosperity beyond the imaginations of the billions of it’s citizens. Are they going to bite the hand that feeds them and start nuking us just because we nuked a military target after they used Chemicals? I think not. Sure, they’ll whine and protest.
The heat will be turned up several notches if we use nukes, that’s for sure. But some may believe it is the only way to achieve worldwide stability in the post 9/11 international environment . This stability would be created through fear – of the United States.
The case could be made for nukes.
Yo history genius, America is the only country to ever use a WMD, but I am sure we will not be the last.
Drill ANWR!
Today you are right, that won't last with ilk like you able to freely breed, no really I am sure there was scum just like you in Rome, right before the fall spouting the same gibberish.
Most likely there was people just like you in France when they were a world power and lets not forget the mighty British Empire, a place where the sun never set. Hope you can speak Chinese, because if not, it might be hard for a wise ass like you to buy food in the near future.
I know, I know it could never happen here because we the big dawg, and we have you to protect us. Yeah right!
My bad, fat fingers, so sorry.
This bumbling stupidity reminds me of the realities of life, and just how uncertain outcomes are, even from the best laid plans.
Take the credit card business for instance, much energy was expended doing demographic research to gain market share. Now stiff competition and tough market conditions force the industry to extend credit to dirt bags or to credit worthy citizens at zero-percent, not what they had in mind when they created their business plan, no doubt.
Here on FR true conservatives are now plagued with war mongering idiots parading as patriots and should anyone question their validity, they are accused of being terrorists themselves. Not what Jim-Rob envisioned when he started I am sure.
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