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Politics : Moderate Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dale Baker who wrote (9626)	4/23/2004 7:39:53 PM
From: rrufff	Respond to of 20773

I disagree. You give discrete examples which are more differing than alike. The drug war - it's a failed policy rather than a real war. It is more akin to mafia infighting, with elements of the Columbian government and probably US agents involved on both sides of the "law" if there really is a law. As an aside, the drug war is a waste all around. The answer is easy. Legalize it and regulate. Let Columbia take care of its crime, with assistance if they ask. Capturing Saddam was a major plus. The focus seems to be on the negatives. Remember the first days of the war? "Quagmire, stuck in sand storms, under-estimated needs, etc., etc." I'm not arguing politics here but the military was quickly criticized and the final result was incredible, in terms of how the war part went. The insurgencies and the problems seem to be screw-ups by the Bush administration and, in particular, being misled by Chalabi, who somehow has been able to buffalo all the leading players in the administration. I don't think the targeting of Saddam in any way hurt. In fact, I think it was a clear and decisive win. Contrary to the admnistration PR though, I don't believe we are fighting the Baathist remnants. I think we are fighting groups of clerics who are vying for power. All the predictions made by Snowcroft and Cheney for not going into Baghdad in 1991 are probably coming true. Now getting back to Israel - I stand by my answer. Israel does not have much choice, fighting a group or groups that have pledged to annhilate her. The PLO has not even amended its Constitution, as required by Oslo, to recognize Israel's right to exist. Targeting the leaders is preferable than the other options I listed. Israel has been effective and probably lucky so far. Personally, I believe they would be wise to use this success, this strength, this effectiveness and, yes, this efficiency, and come out strongly with a dynamic program for peace. I'm not crazy about Sharon and the Likud party so I doubt they will do this. Yet, they are Nobel Peace candidates when compared to the other side of Arafat and Hamas.