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Politics : DON'T START THE WAR -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zonder who wrote (20313)	3/13/2003 11:44:28 AM
From: Thomas M.	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 25898

Columnist George Will recently raised the old question: "How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?" Will answered, "None. It's never been tried." That's an untruth, of course. The French defended Paris very successfully in World War I, even rushing soldiers in taxicabs from Paris to the Marne River to hold off a German onslaught. About 1.4 million Frenchmen died in that war. But one question is worth another, and here are some of mine: Q: How many weeks did it take George Will to go through boot camp? A: None. Even though 2 million men of about his age served in Vietnam, Will never went into the military. Q: How many Dick Cheneys does it take to fire a rifle? A: We don't know - it's never been tried. Although Cheney was born in 1941, and became draft eligible in 1959, he received five deferments and never served in the military. He is said to have had "other priorities." Q: When Dick Cheney was its chief executive, how much business did Halliburton do with Saddam Hussein? A: About $37 million. Q: How many days did Rush Limbaugh spend on kitchen patrol? A: None. You have to be in the military to serve KP - and Limbaugh was never in the military. Q: What does Halliburton do? A: They develop oil fields. Q: How many bombs did George W. Bush drop on enemy forces in Vietnam? A: None. Although Mr. Bush graduated from college at the height of the Vietnam War, he served in the Texas National Guard where he defended our southern border from Mexicans. After a while he got bored and never showed up. Q: What percentage of the world's oil reserves are in the United States? A: About 2 percent - or less. Q: What two countries have the world's largest known oil reserves? A: Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Q: How much oil is there in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve where President Bush says we should drill? A: The most optimistic people say about 10 billion barrels; others think it may be as little as 2 billion. Q: What years did Charles Krauthammer serve in the military? A: Mr. Krauthammer's civilian career is unbroken. Q: How much oil is there in Iraq? A: Iraq has proven reserves of 112 billion barrels. Q: What ports did Trent Lott visit when he served in the Navy? A: None. Mr. Lott did not serve in the military. Q: What rank did Tom Delay attain when he served in the Army? A: Mr. Delay was unable to serve. He had other priorities.

To: zonder who wrote (20313)	3/13/2003 2:35:05 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25898

I have seen some strange arguments on SI, but this takes the cake. Apparently you were unconcerned with the various definitions of the word "legitimate" (which was what we were discussing). you will not change the fact that all countries on this planet recognize Saddam's government. End of story. Big deal.. How many of them will come out and state that they believe Saddam's regime is LEGITIMATE. They recognize him because he's "top dog".. When he dies, and the next leader rises to power (probably one of his sons), he will be recognized as "top dog".. But that has NOTHING to do with a CIVILIZED DEFINITION of Legitimacy. Again.. you utterly ignored my argument that ONLY in a world devoid of democratic governments can your definition of "legitimacy" stand and be inherently logical. And believe me, the founding of the United States in 1776 DID change the concept of governmental legitimacy. Look all of the governments who suddenly adopted constitutions and democratic governments within a mere 100 years after the American Revolution.. No one, on a political or personal level, can be FORCED to accept the legitimacy of a particular government. They CHOOSE to do so, for various reasons.. Big difference between international law "bestowing" legitimacy, and nations granting or withdrawing recognition or legitimacy when it's convenient and in their interest. Hawk