Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[rua AT mindspring.com]

Regading: "I can't talk to someone who is stupid enough to buy that."


Z,

I have long been of the opinion that we invaded Iraq because of reasons other 
than WMD.
I believe I've posted numerous times that it was part of a global, long-term 
strategy,
ala the game RISK. 

 I would hope our strategists think in terms of 20 years or more, although 
the public may not have the appreciation for strategy to support that kind of 
long term planning. Imagine how disastrous it would be for our strategists 
and sitting presidents to think in terms only of their term in office. You 
don't make history-changing invasions like this to find a few bombs. Our 
presence in Korea has been stable for decades, same with the Berlin wall, and 
Cuba. Stability was kept, people and goverments were allowed to self-govern, 
and atrocities were curbed. Lincoln was widely opposed, as was Washington 
when they offered superior strategies. Lincoln had a better understanding and 
sense of responsbility for the country than many of his detractors,
and stood by his decision despite enormous loss of life as a percentage of 
our population.

I enjoyed Dan's analysis, although I don't know if that is the driving cause 
or one of several. I do think his analysis underscores the maxim "countries 
don't have friends, they have interests". I think it is entirely within the 
realm of possibility, that Bush made choices that he thought protected 
American interests, and were good for the most citizens of the country. I 
don't believe Bush' goal was a short term snatch and grab, nor a 'you hit my 
father', nor any of the other trivial motivations thrown about. Bush is 
already rich; his friends are already rich; the best thing he can do for his 
family and his ego, is to affect a great change for the better in the world. 
If you want to disagree on tactics, fine, but I fail to see a believable 
motive for the conspiracy theories.

Pray that whoever wins, it is by a 3% margin or more.

Don