Powell Speech to UN Live Thread

[Support Free Republic]

Might as well start up the live thread. Speech starts at 10:30 EST (scheduled), which is within the hour.

[Mr. Mojo]

True Libertarians believe that defense is among the true functions of government.

True, but most believe that the responsibility for that defense ends at our borders. That may have worked in the 18th century, but in a world with WMD and weapons systems to deliver them, it's now a most naive notion.

[twyn1]

Is this guy asking "why can't we just TRUST what Saddam says?" ??

[Gritty]

One thing I haven't seen anybody point out about is the information about the newest Iraqi UAVs, the small ones.

Powell said these have wingspans of only two or so meters (maybe 6-8 feet?) and they are testing them with spray tanks. And, these were noted just prior to the long racetrack pattern slide where they were checking their range up to 500kms,...

Six rhetorical questions need to be asked in light of this one single and demonstrated threat which only took a few minutes in the briefing;

1. How difficult would it be to smuggle a number of these tested UAVs and bio/chem into the United States, given the state of our borders and ports?

2. How difficult would it be to fill and position these UAVs with 'ample' smuggled bio/chem weapons, given the state of our borders/ports/surveillance?

3. How difficult would it be to put trained detachments of terrorists, Iraqi personnel disguised as terrorists or even trained American terrorist cells in control of these weapons, given the open state of our borders/ports/surveillance?

4. How difficult would it be to fly a number (even one would be catastrophic attack) of these dispensing UAVs over American cities and bases via remote control (perhaps from many miles away) and dispense these toxins/chems over unprotected and heavily populated areas, perhaps killing millions and contaminating huge areas?

5. What would be the human, economic and political results of such a horrible attack (to us, not just them)?

6. Is there any other reason needed why all our guys in the know look so nervous and want to do something, quick?

Forget the missile rings displayed around Iraq. Worry about the ones not displayed n this country!

[Bob]

We may be seeing the end of the UN, and for that we should all be grateful.

Amen to that.

[ArGee]

"American Invaders will be eaten like rabbits."

Hmmm. A scene from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" comes to mind.

Run away! Run away!

Shalom.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

If I could wish on a genie's tummy, the wish would be to have a button to give the dude from Syria an electric shock to make him stop with this dribbling fabrications.... phew, I feel better now.

I'm not watching at the moment (wife commandeered the TV after Powell was finished), but is the Syrian ambassador the one who looks like 'Boss Nass', leader of the Gungans in "Star Wars: Episode I"? Last time I saw him I kept expecting him to shake his jowls from side to side, and say "Meesa like dis..."

[cactusSharp]

this is a great great day...the United Nations is dead
soon to be room temperature.

NBC , CBS and ABC are next

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Syria, another terrorist haven. Runner-up of "axis of evil" status following the liberation of Iraq?

[fightinJAG]

No, cameroons are little shrimps, served most often with a garlic-basil sauce on linguine.

[Humidston]

Can you see this on your media today?

[Cate]

hahahahahhahahahahaa........ yours is the best line of this entire thread!!

[metesky]

Late to the party, but listening while on the road.

It struck me that the wimpy Adlai Stevenson was more forceful in his presentation back in '62.

Also struck me that Bulgaria and Spain seemed to come closest to endorsing the American position.

Other than that it all seems to be blah blah, more time, blah blah, appeasement, blah blah international community, blah.

Blechh!

[Terriergal]

:-)

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

nie. nie. nie.

[js1138]

Star Wars I and II are going to look better with age. They started out as paralleling the rise of Hitler, but they appear to be universal in their application.

[Letitring]

How PAID FOR are people who refuse to see the intention of Iraq? Very well paid, evidently.

[NautiNurse]

Guinea: " Iraq has been much more forthcoming in the question of procedures than substance..."

More cooperation necessary...eeeesh!

[Timesink]

CNN.com poll, go vote:

Did U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's U.N. presentation make a case for military action against Iraq?

Yes   76% 13362 votes
No   24% 4216 votes
Total:  17,578 votes

[My Favorite Headache]

#1094 was line of the day...damn straight!

[Terriergal]

Human nature, Michael. Human nature. Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. (e.g. the French)