Posted on 12/02/2001 9:26:18 AM PST by Hopalong
Absolutely. A nation cannot be constrained by such niceties in pursuing its interest. The same kind of morality that exists between individuals cannot be applied to the relations between nation-states. That's classical realism, and the conservative approach to international relations and statecraft. Going to war with China is unneccessary, and maybe even a bad idea for us. Taiwanese aren't Americans, they're not worth the blood and treasure of America. Defend America, not the world!
First of all, These United States can and should do exactly that!!
Secondly, General George S. Patton would slap your face!!
YOU: Absolutely.
ME: *Picking myself up off the floor*
That's not traditional statecraft. Nation-states have one reson for being: to defend their citizens and pursue the interests of their citizens. Without citizens, there are no nation-states. Nation-states therefore do not have the luxury of worrying about whether a given action in the global arena is "moral." You do what it takes to preserve the nation-state. If that means lying, lie. If it means cutting allies loose, cut 'em loose.
Secondly, General George S. Patton would slap your face!!
Which is why we have civilian control of the military. The job of the military is to go where it is ordered and kill people and break things. It is not their role to plot the next move of the nation on the chessboard of international relations.
Exactly, America is abso-f*cking-lutely NON-traditional, that is exactly why we are what we are!
Every other Country would buckle under and go the easy way, NOT America we courted the hard way and we made it work, we will always make it work! Until people like you out-number people like me!
In the words of Robert Redford as Butch in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, "Who ARE these people?"
Think so? For whom?
The ChiComs no doubt have many fantasies about how many "friends" they've made in the past, oh, fifty years.
Once did know a Hopi—rodeo clown. Ars est celare artem, or sumthin' like that. What surprised me most was that, as a passenger, he seemed to get a bit nervous about how fast I was driving acrost the desert.
Regards to all. S&W R.I.P.
I fear that your level of emotionalism, if it maintains sway over American foreign policy (as it admittedly seems to), will blind America to certain realities, and we'll wash up on the rocks. "We will always make it work" is what many a statesman has thought in history about his own country, before his country took one gamble too many and caused its power to fritter away, a has-been.
Then I will respond the same way that the Taiwanese react to current war in Middle East.
Who cares?
Ya think there is enough Dynamite, Butch!!"
Best regards. S&W R.I.P.
We are the only "Cop on the Beat" and if we don't keep an eye out!!
Who will??
Also, don't forget the guy inside the freight-car, Woodcock!!
You say statesman and country and other fearful words, where are you from, originally?
Really?
In this entire scenario, the word "submarine" does not appear. Apparently the attack subs from the U.S. and Taiwan that constantly patrol the Straits will be on vacation that week.
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