In a message dated 7/27/2003 9:21:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Do you seriously believe that if any person other than > Bush were President we would have taken out Saddam by > now? Really? I think there was some sentiment to do this amoung Clinton's advisors. I am not saying we would have but it is not impossible. > > Also, the goal of international relations is not > _popularity_. The world is not a high school. That is correct. In high school one can be a bully but in the world it is better to be cooperative, to compromise on some issues. Bush _used_ the sympathy 9/11 generated to make possible > something that would not have been possible without it > - the removal of Saddam Hussein, something that was > clearly not in the interest of anyone in the region or > in Europe (save England). His ability to do that was > diplomatic skill of the highest order. You are kidding about this. We had one true ally in this Britain. The other are either not major players or are anxious to please us (not a bad thing; it is refreshing that countries that owe their freedom to us feel gratitude but they would probably have agreed if we said we wanted to invade the moon). There was so much ill will towards us that Schroeder got elected because he pledged to oppose the war. When the french went crazy he was stuck. It may be true that we didn't need any help but you don't have to rub the noses of the rest of the world in that fact. Especially if you need the rest of the world to manage the reconstruction of iraq _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
