The Lowdown on the Showdown

[GLDNGUN]

While most are aware by now that President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will confer Sunday in the Azores, it seems just as many do not realize the weight of this meeting. This truly is a “war council”...

[MEG33]

Bump for BOOT

[oceanperch]

We danced to this played by a Live Band at our local nightclub last night


2003Audio:http://www.melaman2.com/tvshows/mp3/Secret_Agent_Man.mp3

[Iowa Granny]

I want to thank you for originating this thread, and for responding to questions. I have found the discussion facinating.

Now a question:

IF any of the 'hold out' nations come on board within the next 72 hrs, will it be necessary to promise them money, aid, trade or whatever to get them on board? Or is all the bartering over with?

I read elsewhere the Turkey Deal has been withdrawn. Just wondering how many 'deals' are still on the table. Can you give us any insite?

[GLDNGUN]

IF any of the 'hold out' nations come on board within the next 72 hrs, will it be necessary to promise them money, aid, trade or whatever to get them on board? Or is all the bartering over with? I read elsewhere the Turkey Deal has been withdrawn. Just wondering how many 'deals' are still on the table. Can you give us any insite?

The bartering is pretty much over with. The tables have been completely turned around. Instead of the US/UK on the defensive scrambling for votes, the ball is now in court of the UN, specifically the SC. We have completely (finally!) turned the argument around from "we need a second resolution" to "you need a resolution to stop us". We have simply said "1441 authorizes us to take action, so we're taking action". What is France going to do? They have 3 options. #1, do nothing, which is most likely. #2, they could try to come up with a resolution that everyone would agree to. NOT LIKELY AT ALL. #3, they could put forth a resolution that declares 1441 does NOT authorize military action, and declares that any military action at this time is forbidden. WON'T HAPPEN. Quite obviously, we would simply VETO any such nonsense, thus making 1441 the de facto ruling resolution. And here they thought they had us in a box! We have extracated ourselves from this box, put Chirac in it and taped it shut. Let's see the worm squirm his way out of this one.

As for Turkey, it's too late for us to use that front as originally intended; however, it could still be quite useful in a more limited fashion, so we are still talking to them. We have made other arrangements, so while it would be useful to have them aboard, it would have as much symbolic value as anything at this point.

[small voice in the wilderness]

We have extracated ourselves from this box, put Chirac in it and taped it shut. Let's see the worm squirm his way out of this one.

I have this vision of chirac as Marcelle Marceau, complete with box routine!

[Iowa Granny]

Thank you. I was just wondering how much more bribe money was going to be necessary within the next week or so. And if there are still deals to be cut with those not on board, yet.

[MHGinTN]

Bttt

[DeSoto]

Great thread. Thanks for your insights and comments.

BUMP!

[twigandberry]

Better late than never - "B.O.O.T." BUMP!

[IncPen]

I don't know if you came back to this thread, but posts 304 and 295 are along the lines of what we were talking about last Sunday (and make THEM try to stop US).

I will say Spain was a surprise...

[browardchad]

Somehow, I don’t think the Arab world quite grasps the implications of today’s conference, poor things.

UN resolution to eject the United States from the United Nations

"Time for the USA to get out of the UN. If not, it should be kicked out. This should be Monday's proposed resolutions at the UN security Council and at the UN General Assembly. Time for the United Nations to grow up and become independent of the USA, and it is time for democratic international institutions. Let a new era of world development begins."

Good for a chuckle -- from grownups, that is.

[Pegita]

... bttt

[185JHP]

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Also from Proverbs - the things the Lord hates: "A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood..." Payday Someday!

[browardchad]

They have 3 options. #1, do nothing, which is most likely. #2, they could try to come up with a resolution that everyone would agree to. NOT LIKELY AT ALL. #3, they could put forth a resolution that declares 1441 does NOT authorize military action, and declares that any military action at this time is forbidden. WON'T HAPPEN.

The French just opted for door #1. No surprise -- yet.

[GLDNGUN]

The French just opted for door #1. No surprise -- yet.

And the President is addressing the nation tonight.