Like yeah man don't bomb get bombed
Posted on 10/02/2002 7:15:37 PM PDT by UnBlinkingEye
What has happened to our image as a beacon of freedom, opportunity and the right way to live?
Much of the world fears or hates us. We have a proclaimed policy of attacking any country whose policies or regimes don't follow our dictates.
Why have we become the biggest bully in the world?
Like yeah man don't bomb get bombed
Consider the five members of the security council and then watch the favor fly.
Also consider the fact that the security council hasn't admitted a new member despite the possibility of Pakistan/India/N.Korea/and others developing Nukes while at the same time trying to develop trade agreements based on the old model.
Bush, at first tried to frame the debate about regime change. The libs would have none of that, but Saddam is what it is about.
With solid leadership at the helm of Iraq, it would be welcomed into the family so to speak.
What Bush wants is to create a pressure cooker that may cause Saddam to crack or his people might remove him via a revolt or coup. He is also shaming the U.N. into acting.
Failing these goals, we will take him out with minimum losses. If any. The entire M.E. will be gratefull but likely silent appause is all we will get. Screw the damn oil.
I am not sure if there is a correlation. The Russians are in the drivers seat on Iraqi oil and development and that at least rationalizes their luke warm response to an invasion even though I don't believe they are sweating it too much. India and Pakistan are in a slow dance of death that would only require a small nudge to go nuclear. I don't believe that a war with Iraq will do it though. France, and to some extent Great Britain since the advent of the EU are no longer sovereign in how they vote. One has to wonder if the EU will demand recognition on the Security Council and replace France and the UK.
Your's is a shortsighted goal and not conducive with international trade. If the goal was regime change it would be done. But in the interest of diplomacy if it hasn't been done the one interest has gone unanswered. Saddam is still in power.
He's only left there because we choose to let him be. So what purpose does it serve?
In short: He owes Russia and he owes us and it isn't about "regime change."
Sorry if it doesn't fit your worldview but trade has more precedent than feelings.
Your cynicism is showing again. IF Bush were looking at this from that perspective then he would lift the sanctions and let the Iraqi oil flow freely with the consequence being overall downward pressure on oil prices and the resultant effect on the economy. Bush is really placing his presidency at risk here because an attack will have negative impact on the economy and if we fail to achieve a regime change he can kiss his 2nd term goodbye. Now either he is a very bad politician or he really believes that taking out Saddam is the right thing to do.
As for Iraq, I look at it objectively and at Saudi Arabia and the rest. I don't instantly switch on my hate because some beaurocrat or some elected official tells me to...especially since the vast majority of them...both parties, are in the pocket of one group or another. You don't raise $72 million without owing quite a few favors.
As far as I can see, Iraq is a minscule threat compared to Saudi Arabia. Ask yourself this: if Saddam is such a mad dog...why has he not launch biologicals and chemicals at Isreal...a capability he has had for two decades plus. Also ask yourself why he tolerates open Christian practices. Ask yourself why Saudi Arabia needs 120 medium to long range ballistic missiles...which it has. And why no one in the US government seems to be inquiring on the growing reports that the Saudies are buying up WMD from any sellers....critical thinking involved.
As for race card....there are quite a few on FR who are Russophobic to the extreme and have stated over and over that we would be better of genocided. The characteristics they usually tag to us are no different then the ones the Nazies tag to Jews.
I don't hate Western culture, but I am not stupid enough to swallow it all up. I prefer a critical examination of the reality of the culture. Take the good, get rid of the bad...try that some time.
As for Westerners...considering the Kaiser's gold financed the Revolution and the Soviets into power...yes it was the West's fault. Just like the fact that Ford and Armnhammer helped build up Stalin and American Intelligencia supported him with propaganda and funds.
Iraq is just the first in line. The fact he has, and has used WMD, and that he might do just about anything, makes him a current threat.
The overall threat of islamist terrorist fundamentalism is great, and several nations are, and may become involved, as civilized nations seek to beat back the threat.
If Saudi Arabia cannot curtail terrorists and terrorism, I expect they will become very prominent on the radar screen.
I believe the strategy is to go in sequence, creating examples. First, change out the terrorist supporting government of Afghanistan. Next, dismantle the stockpile of Iraq, and its leadership.
At that point, any other nation which cannot see the writing, will be eligible for action.
For me it comes down to two factors: Islamist terror support by nations and groups, and US national security. Sept. 11, 2001 is a very major turning point.
The US cannot sit back in isolation, when the threat exists. I expect Russia will decide to be mainly an ally, along with most major powers, outside the middle east.
Pakistan/India is not a direct threat to the US. Philipines, Indonesia and Maylasia have islamist factions, which can hopefully be defeated locally.
I'm in the camp that sees the epoch battle between civilized nations, and the islamist expansionist terrorism.
The morality is kill, or be killed. I don't know how the Orthodox Church feels about that as a morality, but I do see that Islam has effectively supported its own advancement by the sword and fire.
Hence my morality is fight fire with fire, after diplomacy fails. If Islam wishes to coexist in a peaceful world, they have the power to demonstrate that willingness, by smashing down their extremists. If they won't, someone has to.
How do I know? I just do ...
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