OT:US don't qualify for EU membership, don't spank children, WW2 history.

Thermodyne · #1 July 31st, 2003, 08:18 PM

Dr. Friedman is a renowned debunker of the government policy as it relates to defense vs. foreign adventures. And I would not want to be in the position of debating an issue against him. But I see one weakness with his statement.

We had a war that was predicted to Last at least a year, but was finished with the major combat phase in a few weeks. Now Iraq is expected to set aside its internal differences and form a functioning government in a matter of weeks. And it is expected to do this without the use of marshal law or a general lockdown of the population. I would say that if they turn the corner in six months, and have an interim government in a year, that it will have been a success. Remember, these people have little experience with the day to day activities of running a nation, and the act of negotiating and compromising is almost unknown to them as relates to government. They were ruled by an absolute dictator and his loyal band of henchmen. It will take the good people of Iraq a while to hone and practice the skills that will be required to put a functioning government in place.

Now a word on the resistance. For a country that was defeated in a few weeks, and allowed parole for it men in uniform, Iraq is quite subdued. The level of attacks against Americans is quite low considering that the former leader is free and in possession of the majority of his loyal [sic] fighters.

[ July 31, 2003, 20:15: Message edited by: Thermodyne ]

General Woundwort · #2 August 2nd, 2003, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
build a big dome over the usa and seal it shut for a few hundred years.

You Cannucks wouldn't know what to do with yourselves if you didn't have us to kick around, so just sit back and quit griping.

Quote:

Terrorism is rare. Not an everyday occuance.

So is an outbreak of Ebola. But both can have devastating consequences. The 9/11 attacks were a picnic in the park compared to what will happen when some ecoterror/islamofascist/whatevergroupwithwhatevergreivance gets ahold of a WMD and uses it. It's just a matter of time...

tesco samoa · #3 August 2nd, 2003, 05:08 AM

i am worse ... a canuck who is a immigrant.

Thermodyne · #4 August 2nd, 2003, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
i am worse ... a canuck who is a immigrant.

From Ireland IIR? Orange or Green?

tbontob · #5 August 2nd, 2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tesco samoa:
i am worse ... a canuck who is a immigrant.

Directly or indirectly, we are all immigrants including the peoples of the First Nations who try to avoid admitting it.

oleg · #6 August 2nd, 2003, 08:44 PM

Yeap. We all come from Africa. One way or another.

Narrew · #7 August 2nd, 2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thermodyne:
Now a word on the resistance. For a country that was defeated in a few weeks, and allowed parole for it men in uniform, Iraq is quite subdued. The level of attacks against Americans is quite low considering that the former leader is free and in possession of the majority of his loyal [sic] fighters.

Good points Thermodyne. I have been watching the History Channel and they had a show on post WWII, there was a large contrast in post Japan and post Germany. We were there for a real long time in both countries, and Germany had many SS soldiers in hiding (just like Iraq). Japan didn't perform any type of armed resistance, also they had no idea of democracy (just like Iraq).

Though there are differences there are also similarities, the anti-war-Bush crowd wont admit it, but we have a great opportunity in Iraq. Lets just hope things go well, but it will take time.