Bush to speak to the nation tonight in re Iraq

[101A]

While might may ultimately make right in international law, we should have a different standard domestically.

I agree, and I tried to say that.

[Holt's Cat]

If the US didn't have its armed forces spread all over the globe and was not meddling in the internal affairs of other nations, but rather was simply open to free trade and relations with all what foreign problems would we have? It seems so odd that we have to spend so much to dominate the globe militarily. Where's the payoff for the American people?

[clambake]

There is a payoff for the american people. About 1% of the american people.

[101A]

What I mean is you seem to imply that invading a country for oil is a reasonable and completely acceptable conclusion. With that ideaology it would be perfectly understandable for Russia, China, you name it, to follow suit, including a country already being occupied.

I am torn, actually.

Ultimately, all military action is taken, ultimately, in the "national interest", which, of course is a moving target, with a strict cost/benefit hypothesis on the action being performed. (ie. it was little enough risk to kick Saddam out of Kuwait to protect our interests there, but TOO much risk to do the same to the Soviet's when they "illegally" invaded Afghanistan).

How much suffering would happen in this country if the scenario (albeit completely hypothetical talking out my ass) I detailed earlier were to come about, where neither Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Syria or any other oil producer would do business with us? Wouldn't it be complete economic meltdown? Gas lines forever, planes grounded, trucks not moving, pretty much commerce halted? Unemployment at historic highs, poverty like we haven't seen for a century - only the rich having the means to afford any fuel, that wasn't confiscated by the military?

Is THAT worth going to war over?

[Holt's Cat]

I'm still trying to figure out why the US has military bases outside of the US here in 2007.

[101A]

I'm still trying to figure out why the US has military bases outside of the US here in 2007.

Our leaving the world stage militarily would create a power vacuum. You what happens to vacuums, don't you?

[Holt's Cat]

Our leaving the world stage militarily would create a power vacuum. You what happens to vacuums, don't you?

They get caught on rugs sometimes.

[Holt's Cat]

Why must we seek that power? It's expensive.

[DarkReign]

I am torn, actually.

Ultimately, all military action is taken, ultimately, in the "national interest", which, of course is a moving target, with a strict cost/benefit hypothesis on the action being performed. (ie. it was little enough risk to kick Saddam out of Kuwait to protect our interests there, but TOO much risk to do the same to the Soviet's when they "illegally" invaded Afghanistan).

How much suffering would happen in this country if the scenario (albeit completely hypothetical talking out my ass) I detailed earlier were to come about, where neither Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Syria or any other oil producer would do business with us? Wouldn't it be complete economic meltdown? Gas lines forever, planes grounded, trucks not moving, pretty much commerce halted? Unemployment at historic highs, poverty like we haven't seen for a century - only the rich having the means to afford any fuel, that wasn't confiscated by the military?

Is THAT worth going to war over?

Hmmm, sounds like we should be researching alternative methods of travel/commerce more than militarily securing a finite resource with the above inevitable scenario in mind.

I realize there isnt a viable alternative source of energy, I know this. But the idea should be no less pursued with great vigor. Not the half-hearted charity work being thrown around currently.

To be quite honest, this country needs something like that. Maybe it will wake people the up and start acting like they run the government instead of the other way around.

In the words of the Joker, "This town needs an enema!"

Viva Revolution!

[101A]

Hmmm, sounds like we should be researching alternative methods of travel/commerce more than militarily securing a finite resource with the above inevitable scenario in mind.

I realize there isnt a viable alternative source of energy, I know this. But the idea should be no less pursued with great vigor. Not the half-hearted charity work being thrown around currently.

Amen.

[Nbadan]

Altogether now, right hands..


...your 'other' right hand, dubya....