quote:This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list.
quote:Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim.
quote:In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.
quote:Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?
Discuss.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I agree with the first two excerpts and not at all with the third.... If we were really into threatening everybody to get our way we'd be France who just threatened to nix potential EU membership for countries that side with the US (and Britan and Spain) to war with Iraq.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon: If we were really into threatening everybody to get our way we'd be France who just threatened to nix potential EU membership for countries that side with the US (and Britan and Spain) to war with Iraq.
Are you channelling Omega or something?
Posted by E. Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future"
Que? Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Channeling Omega? Who is Omega and how did he die? I blame Topher in the Officer's Lounge with the candlestick.
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
quote:Que?
Posted by Jay the Obscure (Member # 19) on :
There is a very good point about Israel. What happens if Israel is somehow brought into this conflict?
[ February 18, 2003, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: Jay the Obscure ]
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Then our kids will go insane from all the documentaries on veteran's day....
Posted by Wraith (Member # 779) on :
Or from the radiation...
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Both, although Topher used the fire poker in the dining room...