[dep]

well, i've never raced sports cars, but i have spent time in the mideast and know that we are universally, with the exception of sheik saud of kuwait (the former ambassador and minister of information, then oil), regarded as pitiful losers there. we have not even gotten their attention so far, and bear in mind that the entire gulf war failed to get their attention. demonstrating that it takes us as long now to mount a war as it did in 1812 does not help us here.

i do not know of anyone who had not by noon of september 11 predicted that we would now have to take out iraq. but timing is important -- no, crucial. and the time has passed. it is not for nothing that israel responds at once to attacks. retribution must be swift in order to be identified as retribution, and for all out peeing in our panties over here, in the mideast it must be seen as retribution. specifically, that we can beat them at their own game. nothing would further our purposes better than to be thought fearsome as well as just a little crazy and very quick on the trigger. that is the only thing short of extermination of everyone in a number of countries that will bring the desired ends; many of us think that it is superior to extermination of a number of countries.

dep

[Blueflag]

FWIW, the sports car reference was for another FReeper who asked about the handle.

But, when all is said and done, and more has been said here than done, I have to agree with you. Iraq's governemnt and military and power base need to pay an extreme price.

8-)