[OT] Another heated discussion about the Iraq siutation, war and politics.

[Thermodyne]

I like that, very funny. The UN is on the verge of becoming a debating society, so perhaps we could see something like this.

Seriously, the war has already started. America has air superiority in the south and north, and is in the process of making it uncontested. Baghdad is pulling its front line troops into two very compact kill zones. Well they call them defensive perimeters. The US could occupy the southern part of the country now, and the northern part within a few weeks. This would probably lead to the discovery of the WMD’s that no one can find. They would be turned over as they were in mid flight. But then the world would be forced to join in a chorus of “Evil Iraq”, and the US would follow its doctrine and respond with a WMD of its own. After the war, you would be able to buy a little piece of glass for a buck. The inscription would read “A souvenir from Saddam’s home town”

[Wanderer]

Originally posted by Dogscoff:
I will never be able to take that guy [Colin Powell] seriously until he learns to say his own name correctly.

I agree, although if my name was Colin I'd want to change it!

Originally posted by Thermodyne:
Seriously, the war has already started. America has air superiority in the south and north, and is in the process of making it uncontested.

This has been going on since the Gulf War ended - planes have been policing the no-fly zones by (for example) demolishing any radar station that has the temerity to lock onto them for years. Last year RAF Tornados dropped bombs on some complex, and the next day the UK tabloid press gave the impression troops would be in Baghdad within a week.

Last I heard that program was dead. The ships were part of a NATO deal that had been put on hold. NATO's need no longer existed. Last I heard the strike fighter was stone dead, our navy is about to roll out a new strike fighter on its own.

Well the old carriers are going to need replacing - they'll be 30 years old by the time the new ones are ready. I think the intention is not to disappear up our arses counting our pennies.

2001 - carrier construction confirmed

2003 - contracts awarded to UK and French companies

Looks like the Royal Navy is going to buy American aircraft

As for the French, we get the feeling they'd fully support NATO if they were the chief member. In Britain, France has very poor PR - it always looks as if the EU is intended to benefit France at the expense of others (not that there isn't some truth in that). In particular, the plans for an EU Defence Force have brought criticism that France essentially wants an alternative to NATO - one they can have a great deal more influence over. I guess some of you will have received the email that lists all of France's not so glorius military reverses.

Of course, not liking the French is virtually a national sport in Britain... I'd love to know how many people chose to bLast the Eiffel Tower (ahead of Big Ben, the Brandenburg Gate and the White House) first at the end of the NOD campaign in the first Command & Conquer game. I know I did

[Perrin]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
Thought I'd share this. It doesn't reflect anyone's point of view (at least that I know of), but might be good for a chuckle or two. Or maybe just for getting everyone united to come lynch me.

I thought that I would do likewise. Although this is more pro American/British. So here it is:

Peace in Middle-Earth in Our Time

MINAS TIRITH (Gondor News Network) - Thousands of peace activists took to the streets of Minas Tirith and other cities of Middle Earth today to protest what they termed a rush to war with Mordor.

"We need more time for diplomacy," said a key member of the Middle-Earth Security Council, Saruman the White. "I am not convinced by the evidence presented by my esteemed colleague, Gandalf the Grey, or that the Dark Lord Sauron presents an imminent danger to the peoples of the West."

Many of the people protesting war in Mordor agreed with Saruman's remarks. "Sauron says he's destroyed his Rings of Mass Destruction (RMD) and that's good enough for me," said one fellow carrying a sign that said "Elrond is a Balrog." Another demonstrator urged, "Give the RMD inspectors more time. There's no reason to rush to any judgment just because Mount Doom is belching lava, the Dark Tower is rebuilt, and Osgiliath has been decimated." A third protester piped up, "I haven't heard a single bit of convincing evidence connecting the Nazgul with Sauron. I think they destroyed Osgiliath on their own initiative without any support from Sauron. Besides, it's understandable they're angry with Gondor. We haven't done nearly as much for the Orcs and Goblins and Easterlings as the Nazgul and Sauron have. It's understandable they throw their support to them. It's our own fault, really."

As the protesters continued their march through the city, they chanted, "No blood for Mount Doom," voicing a common sentiment that the leaders of the Western peoples are really seeking to get their hands on the powerful Mount Doom, where the One Ring of Power was allegedly forged.

Gandalf the Grey was unavailable for comment. A spokesman said he was in an undisclosed underground location, which sources have revealed is codenamed "Moria."

[Krsqk]

lol That's great! My favorite line is "Elrond is a Balrog"--sounds like my car's getting a new bumper sticker.

[jimbob]

Of course, not liking the French is virtually a national sport in Britain...

Hey! Don't be so hard on the french, they've been indespensible to the world - they brought us champagne, bagettes and of course those lovable mimes! What would we be without them?!

Edit: is it just me, or do mimes all look like they've just made a prison break?

[Wanderer]

I've just signed an international treaty banning the production and use of mimes

---

Joke amnesty. Hand over your mime-field jokes here!

[tesco samoa]

http://www.observer.co.uk/Print/0,3858,4616550,00.html

hmmm.... The N.A. Media does not seem to be picking this story up ...

[Ack]

I recently read an article that stated that spying in the UN is common. The article stated that everyone does it and it is almost expected. So that the US is spying is no big suprise.


The author did state that the biggest issue of concern is how this story is pissing off traditional US allies. He stated that this is a sign of how incredibly poor US-International relations are when such a minor thing incites naked outrage in Australia (for example).

[Thermodyne]

There is probably a good reason that the wire services aren’t running it. Confirmation would be the one that comes to mind. I would have serious doubts that a message of this sort came from within the NSA in a form that could be opened and read by just anyone. I would also be surprised to learn that the NSA was not already listening to every electronic transmission that is directed to or originates from the UN. Cell phones are easy, as is IP data. Encryption is probably just a nuisance for them.

All of this is a mute point anyway. 700 air strikes yesterday and an undisclosed increase today. If 700 aircraft drop bombs on and fire rockets into your country, I think it is safe to say that you are at war. Also, if you can’t manage to shoot any down in that target rich environment, then you had better put your bomb proof undies on. You are about to have some real bad days.

[Ack]

Try the Last paragraph of this article, but you are correct in that there has been no confirmation.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2079570/

Here is an opinion piece about current US diplomacy.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2079678/

I found this one to be interesting, though it is on a very liberal news site. This is a resignation letter from the US Ambassador in Athens to Secretary Powell. Again, no confirmation of the source.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20.../index_np.html

Here is the original article to which I refered. You'll have to register to read the entire article. I found it to be an interesting opinion.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/20.../index_np.html