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 : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JohnM who wrote (6881)	9/5/2003 11:12:30 PM
From: JohnM	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793739

And this one, a set of favorite John Bolton comments. (September 5th, 2003 -- 9:57 AM EDT // link) I've never been a huge fan of Undersecretary of State for Arms Control John Bolton. When the North Koreans banned him from the multi-party talks, the first thing I thought was, "Wow. They're finally taking a constructive approach toward these negotiations." However that may be, Bolton's comments in Paris today take the cake. About Saddam and WMD ... "Whether he possessed them today or four years ago isn't really the issue." Or this: "The issue I think has been the capability that Iraq sought to have ... WMD programs." So many issues, so little time. -- Josh Marshall

To: JohnM who wrote (6881)	9/6/2003 4:48:45 AM
From: greenspirit	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793739

I enjoyed this blog from Lt. Smash the other day. Besides, he's a much better writer and thinker than Josh Marshall. Commitment Pontifex reports from Iraq today that the Marines are handing over control of ancient Babylon to troops from Poland. lt-smash.us A few weeks ago, I witnessed the Polish Army unloading their equipment from a ship in Kuwait. It felt strange to watch as the Soviet manufactured Mi-8 “Hip” helicopters and “BMP” armored personnel carriers rolled out of the ship. This was, after all, once the arsenal of our enemies. Poland is a free nation today, in large part due to a strategic commitment that the United States made in the last century to a free and prosperous Europe. Billions of dollars were spent, and several thousand American men gave their lives in support of this commitment. The United States had many compelling strategic interests in Europe in the Twentieth Century—the European nations were our main trading partners, we had key allies such as Britain and France to protect, and the twin scourges of Fascism and Communism posed a mortal threat to Liberty around the world. It is fitting that nations like Poland, who suffered under the yoke of tyranny for so many years, are now serving side by side with US Marines in Iraq. The Poles understand the value of freedom very well—even more than most Americans. Imagine what Europe would look like today, if the Americans had stayed at home… The United States is now committed to the Middle East in much the same way that we were committed to Europe in the last century. Our strategic interests today are just as compelling, if not more so. The nations of the Middle East control a significant portion of the world’s supply of oil, which (like it or not) is critical to the global economy. Our key allies, Israel and Turkey, are under constant threat from hostile neighbors. And there is no denying that Arab Nationalists (Baathists) and Islamic Extremists pose a critical threat to global peace and prosperity. We are in the Middle East for the long haul. It will not be easy. We will suffer setbacks. But if our success in Europe is any guide, the end result will justify the sacrifices.