Iraq: The Policy Dilemma

[ColinEssex]

I'm guessing you just didn't get enough scoot... er, I mean motor-bike time this week end.

I had no motorbike time this weekend. Jobs to do at home.

No, I tell a lie - I did pop round to get the chinky on it saturday night thats a 2 minute ride.

Col

 

[KenHigg]

I had no motorbike time this weekend. Jobs to do at home.

No, I tell a lie - I did pop round to get the chinky on it saturday night thats a 2 minute ride.

Col

Didn't you have a gig - How'd that go?

 

[Bodisathva]

What actually made Bush think that bombing the hell out of a country then trying to impose "democracy" on a them would work. Did he expect them to roll over and say how fab the USA government is and embrace a new way of living?

I've been trying to figure out that very thing for a while now. When you get an answer, let us all know, eh?

...the USA's quest for world domination.

What have we told you about stereotyping?

Sounds to me like everyone needs to get this into perspective. We're basically talking about Vietnam in the age of instant notification and constant news coverage. People are so completely used to instant self gratification, they forget that not everything can be corrected/modified/resolved instantaneously. Which essentially boils down to the fact that changes in foreign policy, regardless of magnitute, are instantly beamed around the globe where not only can the parties involved find out, but everyone else as well. Emotions run high, people are passionate about such things just as they were in the 60's, but now we have a great many more people involved. Spitting on Americans at airports is as rediculous as it was for the troops returning returning from 'Nam. Our technological advancements are indeed a wonder to behold. Funny how despite those advancements, bigotry, hatred, racism, and misplaced anger still abound.

...even in the 'cooler

 

[ColinEssex]

Didn't you have a gig - How'd that go?

That was fine thanks.

I'm not in a mood, I'm glad things are ok again on the forum after such a quiet week last week

Col

 

[KenHigg]

That was fine thanks.

I'm not in a mood, I'm glad things are ok again on the forum after such a quiet week last week

Col

I would offer to mix it up with you to start the week on a high note and the adrenaline going but I guess I have to set an example now.

 

[Bodisathva]

I would offer to mix it up with you to start the week on a high note and the adrenaline going but I guess I have to set an example now.

Why's that? You don't see any other leaders of the free world setting such an example

 

[ColinEssex]

Which essentially boils down to the fact that changes in foreign policy, regardless of magnitute, are instantly beamed around the globe where not only can the parties involved find out, but everyone else as well.

A fact that the US government uses to try to tell the world how great it is. Remember the "Mission Accomplished" thing that the Bush PR people set up on the aircraft carrier? How grossly wrong could that have been?

Our technological advancements are indeed a wonder to behold.

Yes its true, your guided weapons can find the dead centre of a Red Cross building from hundreds of miles away They are so advanced, innocent people never know whats hit them.

Funny how despite those advancements, bigotry, hatred, racism, and misplaced anger still abound.

Yes, but we're trying to help with that - god knows, its a long struggle though Maybe if Bush didn't have those "qualities", New Orleans would get built a bit quicker.

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

"Mission Accomplished" thing that the Bush PR people set up on the aircraft carrier? How grossly wrong could that have been?

the operative descriptor being "Bush PR People". They're idiots. The entire administration seems hellbent on acting out the sort of pubescent chest thumping we all endured on the playground as children. But again...not my fault, I didn't do it, I don't care.

Yes its true, your guided weapons can find the dead centre of a Red Cross building from hundreds of miles away They are so advanced, innocent people never know whats hit them.

Wasn't that Israel? What's your point? Drop another one...a bigger one...the big one...twice

Personally, I think we need to fall back to the borders of the middle east (note, that's not Iraq) and just let the whole area implode. Let them fight, keep it contained, and prevent outside influence. Who cares. After they're done killing each other, they'll be in no condition to threaten, harass, or otherwise inject themselves into the world view. Of course we'd then have to deal with all of the bleeding hearts who want to offer humanitarian aid, whining all the while they extend a conflict that just needs to be allowed to run it's course. Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing about it...

 

[ColinEssex]

Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing about it...

Know how you feel - last week every time I turned on the TV there was someone going on about the twin towers falling down.

If I saw those towers collapse once I saw it 50 times. Then they had on the widows. . . . . . . all sad and crying for the camera, whilst counting the $3million compo with the other hand.

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

Know how you feel - last week every time I turned on the TV there was someone going on about the twin towers falling down.

Don't care about that either. It's over. Deal. Lifes a beach then you get eaten by a shark...shut up and swim.

 

[KenHigg]

Don't care about that either. It's over. Deal. Lifes a beach then you get eaten by a shark...shut up and swim.

 

[jsanders]

Personally, I think we need to fall back to the borders of the middle east (note, that's not Iraq) and just let the whole area implode. Let them fight, keep it contained, and prevent outside influence. Who cares. After they're done killing each other, they'll be in no condition to threaten, harass, or otherwise inject themselves into the world view. Of course we'd then have to deal with all of the bleeding hearts who want to offer humanitarian aid, whining all the while they extend a conflict that just needs to be allowed to run it's course. Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing about it...

Ultimately that is what will happen.

Back to riding camels and fighting each other with swords; 6000 years of tradition is hard to get over.

The only answer is for us to stop using their oil, or go back to the original deal. A bushel of grain for a barrel of oil.

 

[ColinEssex]

The only answer is for us to stop using their oil,

Thats really funny Josie. . . . . You mean get the USA to give up V8 gas guzzlers and consider the needs of rest of the planet?

Christ!! I was nearly hit by a flying pig just then!

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

why should we? We have the rest of you so well trained to use little fuel sipping, no powered, no fun, boredom machines so we can run around in big V8s( and V10s, and V12s, hey and don't forget Bentley's W18 ) enjoying the open road...oh yeah...forgot...you don't have any of that on your little Island either

 

[ColinEssex]

why should we?

well Josie seems to favour the idea. Perhaps if you paid more than 5c per gallon you'd think differently

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

Back to riding camels and fighting each other with swords; 6000 years of tradition is hard to get over.

So much time has been wasted on "bringing democracy to the region" without due consideration that the region in question is neither prepared nor eager for a democratic way of life. Honestly, I don't think the democratic system works in this particular scenario.

The only answer is for us to stop using their oil, or go back to the original deal. A bushel of grain for a barrel of oil.

Or walk in and take it after the population self terminates.

Perhaps if you paid more than 5c per gallon you'd think differently

I do, but gas prices are falling and I have a motorcycle . I'd be all for eliminating the usage of their oil, but that's a solution that is at least two decades off even with an intense effort.

 

[ColinEssex]

and I have a motorcycle .

Ah yes, you're one of us (Me and Rich) Its not a Hardly Driveable is it?

please tell me its something sensible

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

Ah yes, you're one of us (Me and Rich) Its not a Hardly Driveable is it?

I refuse to pay the price tag for a Hardley. We drove my wife's brand new sportscar off the lot for less than your average Softtail

please tell me its something sensible

of course 1980 Honda GoldWing...NakedWing, actually.

 

[ColinEssex]

of course 1980 Honda GoldWing...NakedWing, actually.

Ah yes, a Honda man - very good As you may know, I have a Honda ST1100 Pan European - and a little Suzuki 400 for whizzing round town on

Rich has a Guzzi

I think Ken is a Hardly man but I expect the tablets will kick in soon and he'll see sense

Col

 

[KenHigg]

...I think Ken is a Hardly man but I expect the tablets will kick in soon and he'll see sense

Col

Nah. I've done the Honda, Suzuki, etc stuff. Once you've ridden the best you can never go back.