Posted on 12/07/2001 9:50:30 AM PST by Aurelius
Mathematicians argue that coincidences occur a lot more often than most people believe. And who am I to argue with anybody who knows calculus?
Nevertheless, there are a number of coincidences involved in the war on terrorism.
It is a coincidence that there are large oil and gas reserves in South Asian countries north of Afghanistan whose governments we have recently provided with undisclosed millions of dollars, allegedly for the use of old Soviet air bases.
It is a coincidence that the logical route for pipelines runs through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Therefore, I suppose it is a further coincidence that the United States suddenly has an interest in not only getting rid of Osama bin Laden, but with replacing the government in Afghanistan.
And it is another coincidence that after nearly 10 years of dumping on Pakistan, we have suddenly re-embraced that country as one of our best friends.
And it is a final coincidence, and one that prompted this column, that the Central Command has just stated publicly that when the war in Afghanistan ends, it doesn’t mean there won’t be a need for a U.S. military presence in the region.
I suppose it is only a coincidence that we end up with a permanent military presence in the vicinity of huge gas and oil reserves, and that countries with oil and gas that think those resources should benefit them, rather than people in London and New York, end up on our enemies list.
The previous dictator of Sudan, for example, was just as enthusiastic about slaughtering rebels in the south as the current government. But he had cut a deal with an American oil company. And, by coincidence, the United States thought Sudan worthy of American military protection. The present government tossed out the American oil company along with the dictator and is now doing business with the Chinese. Hence, by coincidence, Sudan has become a big enemy, a sponsor of terrorism and a violator of human rights — which, by coincidence, is a perfect description of the previous American-loved dictator.
I don’t mean to sound cynical. If our president says his motivation is to save future generations from evildoers, I certainly believe that he believes that. I’m not sure his idealism is shared by everyone in his administration.
There is a cabal in the administration trying to make a case for attacking Iraq by claiming Iraq had something to do with the Sept. 11 attack. It is a coincidence that on Sept. 21, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that Israeli intelligence officials said they had not detected any link between Iraq and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
I’m sure they’re better informed than the Saddam Hussein lynch mob in Washington. Saddam, by coincidence, is one of those nationalists who thinks oil profits should be invested in the Arab world to benefit the Arab people rather than in London and New York. He is one more former ally of the United States (oh, yes, we were all for him when he was fighting Iran) who has run afoul of the internationalists.
It is naturally only a coincidence that all too often, American foreign-policy objectives dovetail nicely with the economic objectives of multinational corporations.
One could claim that about almost anywhere in the world.
Unless you are going to run them through the caucuses, as is already being worked on now. Who the hell would run a pipeline through Afghanistan where any sheep-humping stink bag can blow it up?
The last I checked, Sudan did not aid an attack upon our country.
I used to think Reese was ok, this is the worst piece of garbage imaginable.
Reese is, and has always been an American-firster: That is, when something bad happens, he blames America first. Reese hates America and considers the U.S. the great international bully. His politics would fit in better in Iran than in the conservative movement.
That says more about you than him.
I merely posted the article and am not out to defend its points. However, regarding you question, you would appear to have completely missed the point. According to Reese, it is precisely to be able to prevent such an occurance as you suggest that it would make it desirable to replace the Taliban regime by a more friendly one.
It is common practice for us to stick are noses where they don't belong i.e. Somalia, Haiti, Kosovo. It would be one thing if we normally didn't particpate in peace keeping missions.
HEY DUMB@SS! Anwar has oil as well as a pipeline! Why piss billions of dollars on some 4th world dead goat tick eating backward country sap hell hole like Afganistan, when the oil is here? Careful Alaska! We're about to attack! What an idiot....or is it just a coincidence?
What is ridculous about this, is that prior to 9/11, the America haters were all saying that we tolerated the Taliban because we planned on putting a pipeline through. Now, we are getting rid of them to put a pipeline through.
Maybe, just maybe, the oil companies don't own our government. If they are capable of starting wars, one would think that they are capable of getting the gas tax lowered.
This raises the question: How do we establish a stable threshold to your reality? What color is the sky there?
Statisticians base their arguments of facts and evidence, not speculative meanderings.
I suppose it is a coincidence that there is a smoking hole where the World Trade Center once stood.
I suppose it is a coincidence that you continue to survive without constant reminders to breathe in and out.
The man should check out the Jungian concept of 'contemporaneity'.
It is my impression Reese has no grasp of history, whatsoever.
Earth to Charlie Reese, if we decide to kick the crap out a country who borders a nation with nukes, it's probably wise to bring them under our umbrella so they don't decide to kill their arch enemy (India in this case) or lob a nuke onto our troops if they are feeling a bit suicidal.
I just paid $0.999/gallon of gas to fill up my car this morning, is this coincidental with our war on terrorism? You bet it is. These are the types of coincidences I can live with!
Is it a coincidence we are fighting in Afghanistan because that is where is the bastards that attacked us are? No, couldn't be!
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