Politics As Usual

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Any thoughts among the great minds here about how the US should react?

Radio Free Iran. Every chance the U.S. government or its friends get, they should address messages to the people of Iran asking them how they want to be perceived in the world.

Dangerous? Reclusive? Militaristic? Extremist? Crazy?

We should embrace the people, not tell them what to do, but tell them we hate, hate, hate their religion-based government.

Oh yeah, and we should find out who has been helping them build, and we should shoot them.

Hello

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Gattigap
Welcome, my friends, to the increasingly proliferated world.

• First we got the bomb, and that was good,
  'Cause we love peace and motherhood.
  Then Russia got the bomb, but that's okay,
  'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way.
  Who's next?
  
  France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
  'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
  China got the bomb, but have no fears ---
  They can't wipe us out for at least five years.
  Who's next?
  
  Then Indonesia claimed that they
  Were gonna get one any day.
  South Africa wants two, that's right:
  One for the black and one for the white.
  Who's next?
  
  Egypt's gonna get one too,
  Just to use on you know who.
  So Israel's getting tense ---
  Wants one in self-defense.
  "The Lord's our shepherd," says the psalm,
  But just in case --- we better get a bomb.
  Who's next?
  
  Luxembourg is next to go,
  And --- who knows? --- maybe Monaco.
  We'll try to stay serene and calm
  When Alabama gets the bomb.
  Who's next?
  Who's next?
  Who's next?
  Who's next?

Tom Lehrer, 1965.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Kentucky comes with Ashley Judd. Don't think I can give much more than that.

Where's Not Bob when you need him?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
Radio Free Iran. Every chance the U.S. government or its friends get, they should address messages to the people of Iran asking them how they want to be perceived in the world.

The rest of the world has soured on this strategy after it worked so poorly with us.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Gattigap
The shortcoming of that Iran/Pakistan analogy, though, is that Iran has been more actively involved in challenging the American infidels than has been Pakistan, and the threat is a bit more direct.

Pakistan wanted the bomb to counter India. Who does Iran want to deter? I think Iran perceives that it can increase its diplomatic leverage by becoming a nuclear power. Maybe we should just give every pissant country the bomb.

In other news - Saudi Arabia Death Pool, anyone?

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Interesting. What prompts the question--his order to hid the prisoner?

I'll take July 30, after 5pm. Friday night after the convention. Alternatively, during the convention. Because I'm not sure the costs of letting the dems play on it are higher than the benefits of hiding it in the convention/distracting from the convention altogether.

The lack of administration defense for Rummy today. It looks like no one is disputing that Rummy was personally involved in ordering the prisoner hid from the Red Cross, or even trying to distract the press from pinning the blame on Rummy. The administration is behaving as if Rummy is expendable.

Yes, if they give it a July 30 date, they're also potentially distracting Kerry from his central message and turning the big finale into more partisan bickering than clean, positive Democratic message. That's a good date.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Pakistan wanted the bomb to counter India. Who does Iran want to deter? I think Iran perceives that it can increase its diplomatic leverage by becoming a nuclear power. Maybe we should just give every pissant country the bomb.

In other news - Saudi Arabia Death Pool, anyone?

Iran's goals are not deterence. They want to spread the "good word" to their neighboring countries, in the gulf and Central Asia. This ties in to the date for the Saudi Arabia death pool.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
The lack of administration defense for Rummy today. It looks like no one is disputing that Rummy was personally involved in ordering the prisoner hid from the Red Cross, or even trying to distract the press from pinning the blame on Rummy. The administration is behaving as if Rummy is expendable.

I think he either goes soon or not until after the election, and I don't think Bush wants anyone leaving soon. If he leaves, don't they have to fill his job? And won't that lead to a whole mess of hearings they'd really rather avoid?

[Say_hello_for_me]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
The rest of the world has soured on this strategy after it worked so poorly with us.

It remains to be seen whether it worked so poorly with us. This very day, you yourself are discussing the upcoming election and the throw-awayability of Rumsfeld.

If that happens, some part of world opinion will believe we really listened. Maybe, just maybe, Bush really is liste, ahh, forget it.

Hello

[SlaveNoMore]

Tyrone Slothrop
A piece in FOX News says Fahrenheit 9/11 "turns out to be a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties should see without fail. As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, 'F9/11' — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty — and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice."

Um, right. What's the catch?

Fox is fair and balanced.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Fox is fair and balanced.

I personally think you have to be imbalanced to like Michael Moore's stuff, but if everyone likes this new one maybe I'll give it a shot.

[SlaveNoMore]

Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
The lack of administration defense for Rummy today.

I've been saying since the Batman picture appeared on the cover of the Economist with the heading "Rumsfeld Resign" that Rummy steps down once the keys are handed over to the Iraqi provisional government.

Nothing has changed my mind on this.

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I personally think you have to be imbalanced to like Michael Moore's stuff, but if everyone likes this new one maybe I'll give it a shot.

Roger & Me was good.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Say_hello_for_me
It remains to be seen whether it worked so poorly with us. This very day, you yourself are discussing the upcoming election and the throw-awayability of Rumsfeld.

If that happens, some part of world opinion will believe we really listened. Maybe, just maybe, Bush really is liste, ahh, forget it.

Woodward's book suggests that Bush made concessions to world opinion -- i.e., going back to the UN at the end -- in order to try to help Tony Blair. So he's not incapable of it. He certainly doesn't want to leave the impression that he gives a rat's ass, though.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Roger & Me was good.

As club would say, you go right on believing that.