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How general is the anti-French sentiment in the U.S.?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by sinohero, Mar 13, 2003.

  1. FranchiseBlade

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    By this logic war is always the best option unless it can be shown differently?

    Also it's not really possible to prove a negative.

    I think the French did look plain obstinate, and unwilling to listen to reason. Now they are changing their tune, but it's the U.S. that won't budge from their position one iota. To me going to war because we have good weather is ludicrous. Wait until the fall, and go in with a true world coalition.
     
  2. sinohero

    sinohero Member

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    When you are talking to Sadam, war or the threat of war is the only option. There are people in the world who would only listen to force, one of them is Sadam. The French undermined the possibility of a united international front to threaten Sadam with war if he didn't disarm. By doing so they left the only option of actually fighting him.
     
  3. FranchiseBlade

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    I agree that the threat of war seems to be the only thing to really get Saddam to comply. But threat in 30 days or next fall is still a threat. And it's even more of a threat if it's almost completely unified. The French didn't undermine the possibility of a unified front. They disagreed with the way the operation was being waged. It's no crime, and if it's the way they feel they are obligated to stand up for it. That was before. Now they are willing to sign for a possible 30 day deadline. There is once again a chance for a unified front. The U.S. can either take it or not. But just who the obstinate party is, seems to have switched.
     
  4. sinohero

    sinohero Member

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    However, "30 days" could drag on to a very long period. Even if the French agreed to hold Sadam responsible for non-compliance right at the 30 day mark, no American ground effort could roll without great casualties because of the weather. So Sadam would survive another six months until late fall. That is a very long period for him to pass on what ever chemical or biological agents, or even nuclear material through terrorist with suitcases who can easily infiltrate the borders with Syria, Jordan or Iran. Sadam knows he is a goner now, and he's no dummy. He'll try to take as many of us (civilians in the US and Iraq) with him as possible. Better not give him too many chances.
     
  5. YAOZING

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    its not even the weather, it 's the cost of the money that this war is needed now make me sick. to go to war now will save alot of more money than station the troops there for another six months or so.....:mad:
     
  6. FranchiseBlade

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    Again if we had to wait until fall, then wait until fall. Inspectors will still be there, and he'll still be hemmed in. It would be next to impossible for him to get those agents out of the country.

    That's if he even wanted to. He's had those weapons for more than a decade and hasn't given them over yet. Most of the terrorist groups in the region like Al Qaeda are enemies of Saddam and he would therefore be handing these weapons over to his enemies. If he could find a secular terrorist group to hand them over to, it would be very difficult to get them out of the country without being detected.

    I believe that war may eventually be needed in Iraq, but not because the weather is good. Good weather is never a reason for war.
     
  7. MadMax

    MadMax Member

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    and the effect of the delay on the economy in general...if you're gonna do it, then do it.

    you can't stage 250,000 troops in that region for another 6 months without letting them do their job...think they're edgy now? wait until they've had 6 months to think about it!
     
  8. FranchiseBlade

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    I'm sure explaining that to the family of servicement lost will make them feel better.

    'We just couldn't wait to go at this with a larger coalition that might have saved your son. It would have cost too much money. Sorry Ms. Doe."
     
  9. MadMax

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    huh? the larger coalition isn't going to save their son....and waiting until the weather gets worse is likely to put more servicemen in danger...and staging them there for another 6 months puts them in an assload of more danger.
     
  10. YAOZING

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    if u wait another six month n saddam is doing what u are saying like give terreorist bombs, have his chemical ready n all that then the world will see saddam a immediate threat n therefore will join the american army, but now going to war in iraq not becuz of saddam is a immediate threat , its becuz of good weather, save money, and most of all save bush 'face!
     
  11. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    I'm not saying that the French are necessarily wrong. But when you have a position you should at least try to convince the other side of it. Instead, France made it clear they don't give a crap what the US thinks. Diplomatically, the French have been failures, and they have stirred up anti-American sentiment in the American "street."
     
  12. FranchiseBlade

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    I guess I didn't make it clear. Going at it with a coalition might save lives if the truly unified front would cause Saddam to disarm or leave. Also that time and unification may have allowed Turkey to resolve issues allowing troops that way, and other tactical adjustments that might save lives.

    It's true that it might not, and no matter how many allies are with us, people will still die. But saving some of their lives seems worth exhausting all the other options including this latest move by France. Even if the person died knowing that all options were tried before going to war might make a slight difference. If not to the families perhaps the concience of those that ordered the war.
     

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