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To: CatoRenasci

"I won't argue further about WWII viz a viz the relative contributions of the Russians and the US, other than to point out had the US not aided you in 1940, the war would have been over before the attack on the Soviet Union - who knows what the world would look like now. Point is, however, you were punching above your weight, in 1939 and even in 1914 (except at sea). The Russian contribution in the Great War was only to ensure what should have remained a regional Serbian/Austrian conflict turned into a world war."

None of which I have disputed.

"The UK military, such as it is, is man for man as good as anyone's. True. But, how many ships, planes and divisions have you? Fewer than you need to be taken seriously as a great power, especially as a conventional great power. Russia, China and India are more powerful, as is probably Israel. You still have a seat at the top table by American choice. Unfortunately, we are the only great Western power left."

Our country is not the same as it once was, it never will reach that level again. There is no way a nation our size could afford to sustain our position in the modern world. Our military isn't as great as it once was, but it's still good enough to work with out international friends if a job needs doing. We have more than shown that to be the case.

"I hope you're right about the majority of the British, that's certainly not the impression we get over here these days. Your media is as anti-American as the frogs and the krauts!"

Depends which paper you read.

The most read paper in the Uk, 'the sun' is extremely supportive of the United States.

The best informed paper, the times, is also overly supportive of the Unities States.

As I've said before, the left make a loud noise, but that shouldn't detract from the overall relationship our nations have.

"I understand the sentiment, but are the lives of 15 service members, who've taken the Queen's shilling after all, worth the humiliation of Britain? I would have thought you English were made of sterner stuff. No one wants their people killed, especially prisoners. But, if a power does that, then you retaliate. The deterrent to the murder of prisoners is not a diplomatic demarche, its the certain knowledge that those who do it will end up dead."

The Iranians have not (yet) threatened to kill our people. If they did, there would almost certainly be a war. The point is, we are using out past experience to end this peacefully. We did so a couple of years ago. Tony Blair has made some very tough statements on the matter, and the UK is more than prepared to do what is needed to gey out sailors home.

But for the time being, it is like a chess game, our move, and then theirs. Are we being humiliated? Yes, it certainly doesn't feel good, but to intentionally fire up these mad sons of bitches doesn't seem like a good strategy right now.

"What I'd have Britain do is callthe Iranian ambassador in and tell him the following:

1. You have 12 hours to return our people and their equipment to British Control.
2. If they are not returned by such time, you will be provided with your passports and transported home.
3. After the end of the 12 hours, the Iranian gasoline refining facilities and petroleum storage facilities are subject to destruction.
4. If any of the British hostages are harmed in any way, we will use what the Americans call "national strategic means" to ensure your government no longer troubles the earth.£"

I wouldn't disagree, but I must come back to the word realistic. There is a reason people like you and I are not in a position of power, and that is it my friend.




88 posted on 03/29/2007 12:34:22 PM PDT by UKrepublican
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To: UKrepublican
"The most read paper in the Uk, 'the sun' is extremely supportive of the United States."

Ah, it all makes sense now. The Sun features the best of Briton's ladies, too! :)

:O)

P


91 posted on 03/29/2007 1:07:12 PM PDT by papasmurf (Join Team 36120 Free Republic Folders. Folding@Home Enter Name:FRpapasmurf)
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To: UKrepublican
But for the time being, it is like a chess game, our move, and then theirs. Are we being humiliated? Yes, it certainly doesn't feel good, but to intentionally fire up these mad sons of bitches doesn't seem like a good strategy right now.

I'm not so sure. I suspect we will have to fight them sooner or later (unfortunately) and, while no timing is ever good for a war, we might well do it now when we have the nukes and they don't, as later when they have them as well. A whole lot fewer people overall will die if we fight now, and certainly a whole lot fewer people on our side will die if we fight now.

Ugly calculation, and hard, but true.

93 posted on 03/29/2007 1:43:07 PM PDT by CatoRenasci (Ceterum Censeo Arabiam Esse Delendam -- Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit)
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To: UKrepublican
I wouldn't disagree, but I must come back to the word realistic. There is a reason people like you and I are not in a position of power, and that is it my friend.

That explains why everyone, enemies and liberal "allies" were scared of Reagan. He was one of us.

I believe Ms. Thatcher was made of sterner stuff than this as well.

146 posted on 03/30/2007 4:49:33 PM PDT by streetpreacher (What if you're wrong?)
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