RE: Iraqi Invitation

PII,

“That’s just my opinion though and it doesn’t matter….”

Of course your opinion matters, that’s what forums are for, to air your opinions. It’s just that sometimes you get a bit carried away because you are passionate about your beliefs, like many of us. It’s a quality to be admired rather than to apologise for.

“Also, when did I say an invasion force wouldn’t be in danger from chemical weapons?”

You didn’t, i’m just making the point that America would be fighting a very different war than the one in 1991.

“However, you’ll find most people in the U.S. military support this cause. Most people in our military are willing to fight for a cause they believe is just.”

Yes, but if their lives are being thrown away needlessly the American public would not stand for it. Look at Vietnam, in the early days there probably was a feeling of it being a ‘just’ war, but from the late 60’s on the majority of troops were fighting only to save each other and reach the magical 365 days.

“We’re hated simply because we stand for freedom. As long as we stand for that, there will be idiots out there who hate us.”

America is not the only country which stands for freedom you know, there are many others. It’s Americas desire to be seen as the defender and policeman of the world which may be inspiring some of the hatred.

“On the other hand, I’m almost ready to just ignore the Middle East completely.”

You may be, but you know this will never become American policy.

“Why don’t we just disconnect all ties with the Middle East completely? Oil you say? Well, the United States actually has quite a large supply of it from various parts of the country. Perhaps doing this will get these psychotic terrorists off our backs, or at least it might help.”

You are never going to do that while there is a substantial Jewish vote up for grabs in any presidential election.

I noticed you have made no response to my comments about Bush’s crass and insensitive speech about the possibility of young American men and women going to war on his behalf. Going to war is a serious matter and not something to be amused about, especially when the nearest you’ll get to the sound of the guns is watching it on tv. Perhaps you agree with me?

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

Hi PII,

“Rabie I just laugh when you use the term “we”. As if Europe is actually going to do anything of that nature. If anyone does the invading it will be the United States.”

Obviously no help from Europe, as your sense of history warps and discounts all European involvement. Look at Libya, F111’s flying from Lakenheath, now my geography tells me that Lakenheath is in England. In the Balkans there were forces from European countries involved and US aircraft used European bases. And wasn’t the RAF involved operating from Gioia del Colle? The Gulf? No European involvement there then either. RAF Tornados weren’t lost in action? Tell that to the families of the crews, or the families of the British soldiers killed in an American air strike. How about Afghanistan? Royal Marines were there I believe, and for some time. Throughout all these times other European nations have been involved in some form or other. Medical teams, logistics, NATO command and control aircraft. All played an essential part but are apparently discounted by Americans if we are to believe your opinion.

“And let me assure you, Saddam will be taken out of power… The thing that man has done in the past and what he will do in the
future is enough reason for me to take him out.”

Sorry PII, but you’re not going to take him out, it’s some other poor souls who are going to have to place themselves in harms way. Yes, I know you have honourable intentions, but at least for the next few years it’s not going to be you who comes home in a bodybag.

“Whether we capture him, take him out with a sniper rifle, or take him out with a GBU-12, Saddam Hussein is going out of power.”

Saddam has already used chemical weapons, do you really think he would not use them if there is an invasion? An invading force would not be safe from that kind of attack. History shows that it is extremely likely that veterans now suffering from Gulf War Syndrome have contracted these problems due to the innoculations and medication which it was hoped would protect them. Tht’s before they were exposed to chemical weapons

“I’m sorry you guys don’t like it, but that’s tough.”

If you make a unilateral decision to invade Iraq, perhaps you should expect to carry it out without help. As for ‘us guys’ not liking it that’s fine. I just hope you and your countrymen don’t find yourselves having to go to thousands of funerals.

One final thing, I saw Bush speak the other day about Iraq and I find his condescending nature to be appalling. He smiled all through his speech while he talked about America going to war as though he found it amusing. A man with so much power who finds the prospect of going to war amusing is a frightening prospect for the rest of the world. Still, he won’t have to get his hands dirty, he can always hide like he did on September 11th.

Regards,

kev35

RE: What was your first flight?

First flight would have been in 1974 and it was the good old DHC Chipmunk while I was in the ATC. We usually had twenty to thirty minutes ‘air experience’ but my first flight was around an hour because there was some kind of problem at Shawbury. First (and only) flight in an airliner would have been in a Dan-Air HS 748 BHX-MAN-BHX, that would have been in 1975. I remember being fascinated by the cowling fasteners rotating back and forth.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Iraqi Invitation

Hi,

“We should have dealt with him at that time, that would only costed a couple of days now it’s going to cost months to do it.”

A couple of days, yes, but how many lives? And how many lives will it cost if Bush decides to carry out an all out invasion? What happens after? Will America need to keep a standing army in Iraq? Who decides who will take over? And by what right? (Answers on a postcard to the Whitehouse.)

And finally, how will the American people regard the return of a few thousand of their troops in bodybags?

Maybe they should have finished the job in 1991.

Regards,

kev35

RE: SCIENCE: SWIMMERS & ATHLETES! ! ! !

Adonis,

Sorry for any offence, I just don’t see the point of debating it really. Perhaps if you’d started by telling us how this discrepancy occurs it may have generated more debate.

“KEV35 (is that your age or your shoe size?)”

Sorry to disappoint you but my age is 41 and my shoe size 42.

Regards,

kev35

RE: SCIENCE: SWIMMERS & ATHLETES! ! ! !

Adonis,

“no disrespect to the commnwealth but the only reason the nigerian beat the gibralten was because there were no russians , americans , australians and europeans present!!.”

I think you’ll find that that was one of the qualifying heats. Australia is part of the Commonwealth and currently lead the medals table. In the swimming, they’re very easy to recognise with their yellow swimming helmets and the fact that they win the majority of their races.

Regards,

kev35

RE: SCIENCE: SWIMMERS & ATHLETES! ! ! !

Adonis,

If you knew the answer why did you bother to ask the question?

Unless of course you were trying to be provocative…

Regards,

kev35

RE: Weird Things You Would Never Know!!

Hi, Kab

You were bored weren’t you?

“It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs…but not downstairs.”

Who found that one out, and more to the point, why?

“The electric chair was invented by a dentist.”

Now that I can believe!

“If Barbie were life-size, her measurements would be 39-23-33. She would stand seven feet, two inches tall.”

Obviously her inventor had a bit of a penchant for statuesque women.

“Americans on average eat 18 acres of pizza every day”

Surely not every American?

Regards,

kev35