Tidbits in the news

[hemet dennis]

I asked for a clarification of your question. You may think that we all understand your line of thinking, but its just not the case. I am not a mind reader, so ask a complete question, like this: "So you think we should never invade a country?" or you can say: "So you think we should not invade countries that may have WMD's under any circumstances?" or something like that. I can't fairly answer a question when it is unclear.

We were talking about Iraq. You seem to think that we were wrong to take Saddam out because we didn't have 100% proof. Is that right ?

There are very few things in this world that are 100%.

 

[chickened]

Be careful now. Some believe that the Guardian is a Socialist newspaper!

I always thought it was the official paper of the realm. It is usually in the latrine for serving a dual purpose.

 

[RHRanch]

We were talking about Iraq. You seem to think that we were wrong to take Saddam out because we didn't have 100% proof. Is that right ?

There are very few things in this world that are 100%.

Thats why I never mentioned 100%. Yeah, I think it was a big mistake (Bush said he regretted using the intelligence to get into Iraq, so I am in good company, BTW) and a total debacle. But not because we lacked 100% proof, although if my logic were that simple it would fit in better with your assumptions about my beliefs and politics, most likely. But no, I base this assessment on more than one or two things...

By the way, what do you think we got out of that whole thing that made the effort worth it? Just out of curiosity.

 

[hemet dennis]

Thats why I never mentioned 100%. Yeah, I think it was a big mistake (Bush said he regretted using the intelligence to get into Iraq, so I am in good company, BTW) and a total debacle. But not because we lacked 100% proof, although if my logic were that simple it would fit in better with your assumptions about my beliefs and politics, most likely. But no, I base this assessment on more than one or two things...

By the way, what do you think we got out of that whole thing that made the effort worth it? Just out of curiosity.

We got rid of a mad man that was a danger to his people and his neighbors.

 

[hemet dennis]

We got rid of a mad man that was a danger to his people and his neighbors.

So what do you think our goals were and what do you think we got out of it ?

 

[RHRanch]

So what do you think our goals were and what do you think we got out of it ?

Not a lot in it for us, if you ask me. When you think of how many countries there are like this one (Iraq) , even in the middle east, its fascinating that we picked this one to invade.

 

[hemet dennis]

Not a lot in it for us, if you ask me. When you think of how many countries there are like this one (Iraq) , even in the middle east, its fascinating that we picked this one to invade.

So what other middle east countries have invaded their neighbors ?

 

[thaiturkey]

I always see America being called the police force when talking about the amount of bases and troops stationed over seas or they use the term when America decides to invade another country for "humanitarian" reasons.

I don't see the link between policing and foreign military bases. Policing is about intervening when a law is broken and referring the matter to the appropriate Court. Foreign bases are about establishing or maintaining influence elsewhere in the world for a country's own self-interest. Quite different from policing.

I have never encountered the term 'World Police Force' being used by anyone other than Americans so I guess it's a US concept rather than an international one.

 

[hemet dennis]

I don't see the link between policing and foreign military bases. Policing is about intervening when a law is broken and referring the matter to the appropriate Court. Foreign bases are about establishing or maintaining influence elsewhere in the world for a country's own self-interest. Quite different from policing.

I have never encountered the term 'World Police Force' being used by anyone other than Americans so I guess it's a US concept rather than an international one.

Wasn't the Korean war called a police action ? And that was in the 1950's.

 

[thaiturkey]

Wasn't the Korean war called a police action ? And that was in the 1950's.

No. It was a proxy war between China/USSR and the West using as its excuse conflict between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. Smashing to pieces someone else's country doesn't constitute policing.