Politics As Usual

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Has it been established conclusively that the AG guards were NOT under orders to cornhole the Iraqis?

How does one establish conclusively that something did NOT happen? Just curious.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Not Me
How does one establish conclusively that something did NOT happen? Just curious.

You make my point.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Not Me
How does one establish conclusively that something did NOT happen? Just curious.

Funny, that line didn't work for Saddam.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
You make my point.

Your point being that you if you cannot conclusively establish that something did not happen, then you can conclude that it did happen, eh?

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
Funny, that line didn't work for Saddam.

And the Iraqi people live in freedom today because it didn't work. Hopefully for them, there aren't any more WMDs, like the sarin and mustard gas missles that were found.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Not Me
Your point being that you if you cannot conclusively establish that something did not happen, then you can conclude that it did happen, eh?

Er, no, now you sound like those beating the drums about still finding WMD in Iraq.

What I mean is that those who were ordered to bugger Afghanis could very easily have been ordered to do the same to Iraqis.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Er, no, now you sound like those beating the drums about still finding WMD in Iraq.

Unless you don't count sarin as a WMD, we found them.

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
What I mean is that those who were ordered to bugger Afghanis could very easily have been ordered to do the same to Iraqis.

I know you think that, but where is the evidence that this occurred? The only "evidence" I have heard you discuss is the fact that there is a lack of evidence that it didn't occur.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Not Me
I know you think that, but where is the evidence that this occurred?

I think that this evidence is being kept in the same bunker as the massive stockpiles of WMD.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Not Me
And the Iraqi people live in freedom today because it didn't work. Hopefully for them, there aren't any more WMDs, like the sarin and mustard gas missles that were found.

There you go again. Declaring victory because your team has gained five yards.

Leaving aside the absence of elections that would support your "democratic" statement (prior post), the new gov't has been in "power" for a few days. The Kurds are already threatening secession that may lead to civil war.

I hope the country doesn't spin into chaos, as seems eminently possible. But declaring "Mission Accomplished!" has caused you people problems before.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Not Me
Unless you don't count sarin as a WMD, we found them.

No, we found "it". One shell, left over from 15 years ago, that even the Admin acknowledges is not evidence of any ongoing WMD program. And the evidence is virtually conclusive that the people who planted that shell didn't even know what it contained (since they rigged it to explode without releasing the gas).

$200 billion and 800 American lives to get the odd shell that the (apparently nearly completely effective) sanctions and inspection program missed? Please.

Originally posted by Not Me
And the Iraqi people live in freedom today

Yes. Unless they're dead, of course, in which case they might still show their gratitude by serving as attractive coffee tables.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
There you go again. Declaring victory because your team has gained five yards.

The true winners in the game of regime change are the Iraqi people. Except for Saddam's henchmen, all of the Iraqi people are better off with him gone and they know it. Even if Iraq ends up carved into 3 countries ultimately.

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Leaving aside the absence of elections that would support your "democratic" statement (prior post), the new gov't has been in "power" for a few days. The Kurds are already threatening secession that may lead to civil war.

Are you doubting that elections are going to be held once the infrastructure is in place? As for the Kurds, I don't think that would be a bad thing for them to have their own country and I don't think it would be a bad thing for the rest of Iraq, either. The only people it would be bad for are the Turks, but even then, I am not so sure it would be bad for the Turks, although they think so.

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
I hope the country doesn't spin into chaos, as seems eminently possible.

It is certainly a possibility, and one I have acknowledged myself. But even if it does end in a civil war, unless millions upon millions die horrible deaths and are tortured and gassed, it won't be worse than under SH.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by ironweed
Yes. Unless they're dead, of course, in which case they might still show their gratitude by serving as attractive coffee tables.

If you could ask those who lay in the mass graves we found, how do you think they would feel about regime change? I think they would say "What took you so long?," but I could be wrong.

[Not Me]

Originally posted by Sidd Finch
$200 billion and 800 American lives to get the odd shell that the (apparently nearly completely effective) sanctions and inspection program missed? Please.

If WMDs were all this was about, I might agree with you. WMDs were emphasized so much because of those who wanted us to go to the UN for approval. The real reason was to get rid of SH and try to start transforming the middle east into a place less suitable for breeding terrorists.

Only time will tell if this bold and visionary move achieves its goals. You know, people said Reagan's arm's race would never work, too.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
what % of the US population were they when they cut the deal? And no Indians starved from the land grabs? Fuck, even the shit I DID learn in HS history is wrong?

unless someone objects by 9 E.S.T. I'm counting this as a win.