Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : NNBM - SI Branch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: elpolvo who wrote (19181)	12/1/2002 2:43:12 PM
From: abuelita	Respond to of 104155

elpo- quote of the day: ‘We know war. We don’t want to repeat it.’ — JABBER HILLEL Farmer in Safwan ... and, another example of a "sanctioned village". Before the Gulf War and the imposition of U.N. economic sanctions, people here used to profit from cross-border trade with Kuwait. But the border crossing, a small white building next to a large mosaic of Hussein, is now closed to everyone but those in U.N. vehicles. Safwan residents have been forced to eke out a living by growing tomatoes, onions and garlic. i thought about drought plagued, dry, crumbling afghanistan yesterday as i watched the skins golf tournment in indio, california. i wonder just how much water it takes to create a golf course in the desert? anti-golfindeserts

To: elpolvo who wrote (19181)	12/1/2002 3:03:06 PM
From: Mannie	Respond to of 104155

I think it has become obvious to the W administration that Saudi Arabia had some part in 9-11, or at the very least is losing it's ability to control it's radicals. Therefore, our bases in SA are doomed and we need a new base of operations to continue to control the oil... Iraq. wag the dog...scoot

To: elpolvo who wrote (19181)	12/1/2002 8:18:38 PM
From: Clappy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 104155

I think I jinxed yer Broncos. Ya see, I wasted a perfectly good 3 hours watching the Giants beat the the Titans only to watch them allow a tie in the final seconds. The Giants' Prevent Defense prevented the Giants from winning. Then the Giants won the toss, punted, and then the defense re-enacted their forth quarter fiasco. Fargin Titans won. So I said to myself, well lets watch Polvie's team and cheer 'em on. That was an exciting game. McCaffrey is one clutch dude. Unfortunately things didn't work out for your team in OT either. Sorry about that. I'll take the blame. I should have washed my hands or showered before bringing the Giants' stink over to the Broncos' fan section. -NotClapping

To: elpolvo who wrote (19181)	12/1/2002 9:48:17 PM
From: abuelita	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 104155

elpie a review of van's newest in a vancouver mag. "Van Morrison: The Complete Bang Sessions: this is all the stuff that came before his best album, which was the sublime Astral Weeks, and the almost-as-good-Moondance, and it kinda all went downhill from there. these days The Man is pretty much a parody of himself. but on those early tracks, there is an edge and a real-rock ferocity he rarely recaptured. the production's cheap - '60s-rough, but most of the music is magical. amazon.com whaddiya think? should one of us get it, or not. maybe we could put it on our chrismas wish list and not have to bother <g> joser

To: elpolvo who wrote (19181)	12/3/2002 10:51:14 AM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 104155

Is Bush too ready to pounce on Iraq? By Jules Witcover Columnist The Baltimore Sun Originally published Dec 2, 2002 WASHINGTON -- Now that the inspections of Iraqi facilities in a search for weapons of mass destruction have begun, there seem to be two distinct aspirations among those awaiting reports. Most of the United Nations apparently hope that the inspection teams will find no such weapons or the means to make them, but if they are found, that Saddam Hussein will then admit their existence and agree to their demolition. The Bush administration appears to hope that he will continue to deny their existence even if strong evidence is discovered, thus vindicating the administration's sweeping allegations and providing the green light for American military action, with or without U.N. sanction and assistance. The war-authorizing resolution negotiated by Secretary of State Colin Powell was intended to provide no wiggle room for the Iraqi regime. An obvious purpose of the provision requiring declaration by Dec. 8 of any prohibited weapons and facilities is to pin down Saddam Hussein at the outset. But what if the U.N. inspections team headed by Swedish diplomat Hans Blix either drags its feet or comes up with a report that falls short of direct evidence of "material breach" of U.N. demands and a direct condemnation of Iraq? President Bush, who never wanted to work through the U.N. in the first place, has indicated he won't wait for a mountain of evidence before declaring there has been a further material breach and attacking, with or without the U.N. Many will say that the president, regardless of his early reluctance, did accede to those who preached that inspections be given a last chance and therefore will have diplomacy as well as morality on his side in acting. But unless the evidence of material breach is clear-cut, most of the international community is not likely to bolt out of the gate as Mr. Bush apparently wants. It is true, probably thanks to Mr. Powell, the old soldier who is no hip-shooter, that the president has significantly backed away from his original insistence on "regime change" in Iraq, to disarmament. But it's also clear that the downshifting was a necessary diplomatic move to achieve U.N. acquiescence in the war resolution. In getting the U.N. aboard, however, the administration has not quieted international concerns over the basic question of pre-emptive military action, especially in light of the far-reaching Bush strategy statement that signals future pre-emptive attacks against American-perceived terrorist threats anywhere. Mr. Bush's assumption in that statement that America's status as the world's remaining superpower bestows on it greater peacekeeping responsibility can be seen as claiming for the United States alone the right of military pre-emption. What if other states, such as Pakistan or India, also claim it to justify a first strike under the Bush doctrine of "anticipatory self-defense"? For this reason alone, it must be hoped that whatever the U.N. inspection team finds or fails to find produces a clearly persuasive report that generates solid U.N. backing for whatever action is warranted. It would be a mistake for President Bush to take any questionable evidence of material breach to send the planes, missiles and men against Iraq. How he responds will demonstrate whether he went to the U.N. in the first place only for show, or whether he appreciates the importance of solidarity with the world community -- and respect for international law -- in seeking Iraqi disarmament. Although Mr. Bush, again after first resisting, did go to Congress and obtain war authorization, it should not be forgotten, either, that the Constitution still states explicitly that "Congress shall have power ... to declare war." Those who believe the president in the era of terrorism should have this power ought to seek a constitutional amendment, not dance around the matter. Such a debate, not now but later, would be an enlightening exercise for the country. _________________________________________________________ Jules Witcover writes from The Sun's Washington bureau. His column appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun sunspot.net