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.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (77009)	2/24/2003 2:23:20 AM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Appreciated your long and thoughtful post. Could members of AQ be there....Senior ones? Perhaps many of them?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (77009)	2/24/2003 2:57:37 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

If anybody?s had the persistance to read this far, I?d be interested in hearing their opinions?. Are you kidding? If you want my opinion on this situation, you will have to beat it out of me! :>) Sounds like a nightmare version of "Waist deep in the Big Muddy." I wonder what idiot One Star recommended that we put troops into this situation? We haven't been able to stop these people since we took over the Philippines, what makes anybody think we can now? The best of a bad situation would be to send in our combat unit, "Shoot em all, and let God sort em out!" , but lets not do any "Nationbuilding." Declare Victory, and get out. Or, best yet, let the Political opposition win, and order us out. Thanks for the great "Country Report," Steven. I wish it was circulated at DOD. Or better yet, printed in Atlantic, New Yorker, or Harpers. It would get more notice there. I am sure you have some version of it circulating. Having watched Discovery Channel, I know that all indigenous peoples are possessed of deep stores of ancient wisdom, but in the case of the Tausug all I can say is that the wisdom is hidden very deeply indeed Since I live in Waikiki, the home of these kind of "indigenous people" beliefs, that line was worth the read by itself. They have the "Wise Ones" feeding stories to the tourists about the peaceful natives who have always loved one another. But some of the tourists make it up the Mountain to see the Memorial at the top of Pali Pass that celebrates the major battle that cemented the local Tribal Chief as ruler.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (77009)	2/24/2003 10:29:02 AM
From: JohnM	Respond to of 281500

An update on local developments. Terrific piece. Makes reading FADG yesterday more than worth the heartburn. As a post, it's in a category all by itself. It will be interesting to see if anyone in the know can offer any sensible reasons for the US military presence.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (77009)	2/24/2003 11:04:43 AM
From: Ilaine	Respond to of 281500

Hi Stephen - very well written. With a little more work, you could sell it to the New Yorker. I have no idea what the answers are to your questions, but I will start looking for clues when I take my daily pass through the news.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (77009)	2/24/2003 8:14:15 PM
From: jimbopost	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Philippines & motives for being there President Bush made his position clear to other nations about terrorists "… Either you're with us or you're against us! …" Soon America will be in Iraq, right in the center of Mid-East countries of which some sponsor terrorist groups. Our presence will affect all neighboring counties. One of your comments poses possibilities for our presence in the Philippines "… Some believe that the real purpose is to create a confrontation with the MILF, justifying a wider US deployment in Mindanao. Some people think the operation is a practice run to create a precedent for similar operations in Indonesia, where a Muslim government makes the situation more delicate. Some think the US is ultimately planning to set up a military installation in Southern Mindanao to support unilateral operations there and in Indonesia." Suppose the US is invited in to help clean out the MILF. The US would "set up a military installation in Southern Mindanao to support unilateral operations there and in Indonesia." This would provide the US two positions in the Islamic Crescent. The US may not need a base of operations at the other end of the crescent as long as it has Britain as an ally. It seems as though the administration's views about alliances e.g., UN and NATO, are a hindrance. ASEAN is not about to be excepted if there are any objections. Maybe the administration feels that all alliances should be reformed. Jim