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Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials
AMAT 254.72+0.9%3:59 PM EST
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To: Fred Levine who wrote (70453)7/14/2003 10:46:26 AM
From: runes  Read Replies (1) of 70976
 
OK - Since it is beat on Fred (Machiavelli) Levine time -

The debate of whether the ends justify the means is always an interesting one. And one that will never have a conclusive right or wrong answer.

But Fred, you need to understand that while the "end" (goodbye Sadam) is acceptable, it comes with the burden of dubious means and all of it's unintended consequences.
...POINT - we have lost considerable credibility in the eyes of the world (who knew we were going to war fro fradulent reasons). Will that come back to bite us?
...POINT - the Iraqi population has picked up on the lack of credibility of our stated motives so they now fear us as occupiers and usurpers.
...POINT - the ambivalence of the general population is providing cover to a number of elements (Sadam, fundamentalism, etc.) who now seek to drive us out of the country.
...POINT - for the sake of political expediency (memories of Vietnam) we may end up withdrawing from Iraq without having stabilized the country. Which could lead to either a return of the Baathists of the rise of a fundamentalist government.
...WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT THE WAR WAS A BAD THING. That it ended up doing far more harm than good.

And that, friend, is what you signed on for when you decided to back Bush's decision to go to war. And while you may try to dance a jig by saying that you supported the war and not Bush's agenda, you did support the war. And that has bought you a share of the consequences.

Hopefully, the above chain of events will not play out. And we will stay the course and win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. But that process will run through the election which leaves you with another bitter pill - do you continue to support Bush?
...If Bush loses the election then the odds are much higher that we bail on Iraq and this war will have been a bad thing. If Bush wins then he will stay the course - for better or for worse.

So, Anican Skywalker, how do you feel now about the dark side of the force? Do you feel it pulling you into the Quagmire? Do you hear the call of the Emperor Bush?
...It is only a little deception but it is for a good cause...
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