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: carranza2 who wrote (84166)	3/20/2003 10:55:35 AM
From: michael97123	Respond to of 281500

Scott Pele cbs hellfire missiles launched from helicopters at iraqi position as sun went down. Attacking iraqi positions. Skirmishes along border.

To: carranza2 who wrote (84166)	3/20/2003 11:21:27 AM
From: JohnM	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Like the French, you miscalculate the importance of Iraq to our national security. Complicated statement, which, if properly analyzed, would require a complicated response. But the short of it is, I do agree that the Bush administration thinks it's so. I don't agree, as I've typed repeatedly here, that Iraq was a threat at the level projected by the Bush folk and sufficiently so to enrage world opinion and endanger long term alliances. No. Even if it were Bush who has in fact miscalculated the importance of Iraq to our secuirty, France failed to acknowledge that such a miscalculation was reasonable and to act accordingly. Instead, it acted precipitously and aggressively. It must now be prepared to suffer the consequences. That's the point of my disagreement. Far better to treat it as a policy disagreement between friends and allies. By doing so, it comes to be believed as such, treated as such, and the alliance is the better for it because it withstood this moment of profound disagreement. It is also the best way to undermine the Chirac argument. To punish the French only reinforces the view of the Bush administration's arrogance. But if I'm asked for a prediction and have to base such a prediction on past behavior and statement, I expect a genuinely petty negative act from the Bush folk.