[okiedust]

"Sounds a lot more than "tweaking" to me."

Indeed it is, but is does not neccessarily require massive intervention thru conventional warfare. A clear demonstration of force and will, will send a clear message. Those who are in power understand the message and may or may not respond as we would like. Hussein is a megalomaniac. The extent to which his oil will purchase support remains to be seen. But a conquered Iraq will give a very strong message to our "allies" and enemies alike. What they do with the information will not be clear for some time. It's not a game for the faint hearted to be sure. The fact remains. A regime that sits upon oil reserves has decided to force the world to its knees. Some bow willingly and get what they want for a time. Some resist and earn the "World's" enmity. That means of course that most of the world would prefer to let a radical and vicious world view prevail in hopes that it will focus elsewhere. Ok. It will be us for a while, and then who is next? And if we don't deal with it, is there any hope at all?

regards

[Burkeman1]

A war against Iraq would unite the entire Arab world. Even the governments in the region that we prop up don't support it because they know it and it would threaten their existence and may even cause collapse to radical islamic forces. Ten years ago correspondents allowed into Iraq talked of the western appearence of the women in contrast to other Muslem nations. Now they mention the amazing increase of shrouded women in the streets and the rise in attendence to mosques and the observance of daily prayer. This is a form of protest against Sadaam and his secular regime to be sure- but it is an anti western radical islamic protest. They don't look to the West to deliver them from oppression. They look within their own culture and what they see as a deliverer is Al Queda and radical fascistic Islam.

Sadaam's oil has nothing to do with "purchasing support". What the Arab in the street will see from Indonesia to Morrocco is that "Islam" is being attacked by the west and that their corrupt rulers who are on the payroll and that oppress them will do nothing about it and let it happen.

To be honest this is so obvious that I seriously doubt that any of this war talk against Iraq is for real and it is all one big ruse on the part of Bush designed to lull Osama into the open and his true supporters. I would not be surprised if Iraq and Hussein are in on it with us.