What right does the US have to go to war with Iraq?

An answer to a simple question of Why is America dvided close to 50- 50 on this issue. A lot of us don't see Iraq as a big threat along the lines of Soviet Russia, China under Mao. etc. Those countries people's have moderated without invasion.

 

What's different? Well, it's a different country. What are you trying to say? That the US sould act like robots and act the exact same way in every single situation? Give me a break, each threat is different and requires its own careful analysis.

Also, obviously, what's different is that it's post 9/11 and Bush has declared a War on Terror.

 

We've heard criticism of American "unilateralism" for months, yet France declares that it will use it's veto power to unilaterally block any use of force in Iraq. I guess acting alone, without regard to other members of the Security Council is ok, as long as it's not the U.S. doing so.

 

what an excellent point that i completely overlooked....come work with me!!!

 

Don't want to defend France (ever), but don't you think acting unilaterally with violence should be distinguished from acting unilaterally against violence? Just a thought...

 

max, the fact that the ayatollah died? Iran moderated for other reasons that time (well, other than the fact that time==death).

bnb, I believe that conservatives have to rally around the flag and fight wars to keep the public's favor. To borrow Will's phrase, our president is a one-sided issue president. He commands most people's respect just b/c he was the president during the time of an attrocity. He talks patriotism, and everybody's a patriot (usually everybody pulls for themselves), so it's a pretty easy task for him.

He absolutely blows on every other issue... different topic though. Hopefully he doesn't prolong the war or fight 7 wars in the next 2 years just to stay in office.

 

And some of us think that is a false analogy. These countries have nuclear weapons for one thing. With Russia a long Cold War was necessary. Do we really want to get to the point where Iraq is a nuclear power?

 

Yeah, whatever, I'm pretty sure Will didn't say that he's respected just because of 9/11 and that he blows otherwise, and he certainly didn't accuse Bush of prolonging a war.

 

Bob, quit confusing everybody with your reason-ing.

 

the world is a very different place from the american perspective, achebe

 

Mr. Dumbass, I 'borrowed a phrase' from Will. The rest of your problem stems from a lack of reading comprehension.

Don't post.

 

Are you talking about the violence committed against the US or the violence that the US is going to commit in Iraq in retaliation to that violence?

 

Yeah, exactly. France is playing a dangerous game. They are thinking the US will invade either way, so they are positioning themselves to bash the US if something goes wrong against Iraq. But at the same time they are counting on the inspectors not finding much and not many new terrorist attacks happening.

It's basically French politicians trying to get the anti-American vote in their country.

 

Well maybe you should read Will a little more. He's not quite as loony as you are.

 

excellent point earlier Buck

 

I'm not against a possible war with Iraq, I just wish we'd finish the job with bin Laden first.

Bush just gave the "you're either with us or against us" comment about two minutes ago.

 

Iraq developing a nuclear bomb is what's different. The possiblility of Iraq or terrorists using that bomb is truly disturbing and a threat to the US. Terrorists would not think twice about using a nuclear bomb on New York, LA, Tel Aviv or London. And then they, along with thousands in the middle east, would dance in the streets afterwards, singing and rejoicing when they heard that MILLIONS of "infidels" died.

 

Damn frogophiles.

What if the violence in question is necessary and justified?

 

Mr. Clutch, isn't 'loony' relative to the masses?

You unilateralists are 'loony' relative to the masses. Most of the US defers to the UN on this matter (at this time; relative to the findings).

 

So North Korea's next???


Just looking ahead on the schedule. How long is this season.