Garry

Your PM has no idea what Gore would have done about Iraq anymore than you or I do. Seems to me his former boss had no problem conducting a war not sanctioned by the UN in Europe a few years ago. Of course you didn’t like that either because it was just another example of the west finally having to clean up after a “Stalinist’ style **** up.

The people of Iraq do need assistance but obviously due to 30 years of NAZI style rule and wasted resources spent on second rate Russian weapons, attacks on it’s neighbours and empty palaces,etc, etc.

As for the oil, well it’s in better hands now. At least there is some chance that Iraq will actually benefit from it. At the very least the US/UK/OZ has seen that Saddam Insane and Co and the UN have both been kicked out of the trough and the possiblity of France, Germany, Russia,and the like being able to do a back-door oil and weapons deals with SH has been eliminated. Now they will also have to do the deals in the open. The claim that it’s US oil interests that drives everything is obviously lame and I am surprised that someone with your historical knowledge would even mention it at all much less repeat it time and again.

Your view that the KGB was just playing by the rules clearly understood by all (apparently) is pretty funny. I bet they could teach those poor dunb Americans a thing or two about conducting nighttime raids and restoring order in Iraq. 😉

Sauron

Garry

I thought Australia sent 2000 troops to Iraq?

We all admire your superior moral standards and passion for justice. This obviously comes in part from a highly developed sense of fair play and the ability to be totally objective, particularly where the actions of the U.S. is involved. Quite remarkable for a big fan of the USSR.

I notice that you and others here seem to have forgotten that the UK was also a major contributor to the war in Iraq. All your outrage is directed at the US. Keeps it simple I guess.

I suppose NZ has nothing to lose by sending its contingent to Iraq now. If a better Iraq society results they can share the glory with out any risk of sharing the blame if thing go bad because ‘all’ the blame will go to the US.

Dave

The IRA is just one of many groups that attempts to raise money in the US. There are rather obvious reasons for this, and in this case it’s clearly because there are many Americans of Irish decent. We should not forget that most are decendants of folks who suffered and starved under British rule. Can a few **** disturbers raise money for the IRA? Yes and I bet they raise alot more in London. Some in the US support Bin Ladin as well. I wonder how much financial he gets from Europe?

Clearly no U.S. administration has ever supported the IRA and the two articals you referred certainly do not support your suggestion that they do. What is a fact, is that the majority of North American Irish (and those elsewhere) have clearly distanced themselves from the problems in the old country and want no part of the violence there.

Regards

Sauron

Dave

The US government never supported the IRA in any manner.

Sauron

Ink

Hardly a rant. Both Fischer and Jospin were communists. The point was to highlight that there are plently of others just as bad as the Italian PM but of they are mostly left wingers so they must be OK fellows afterall. Right? After all Berlusconi is a filthy capitalist.

Their are plenty of ex commies (as you call them) but the majority were never communists by choice were they? But they paid dearly for it, unlike the two above who never actually had to live in a communist country.

Someone here referred to Berlusconi as a fascist. If I recall Jospin the socialist darling, was eliminated by a neo-fascist in the last French election. Wicked how thing happen in politics and not just in Italy. Eh? All in good fun.

Regards

Sauron

Well Berlusconi was elected fair and square and he may fit in better than you think. Look at some of the other notables

Joschka Fischer-former member of the radical left and one-time thug. Hates Israel.

Lionel Jospin-another radical communist in his younger days.

Giscard D’Estaing-a vain, diamond loving womanizer. Just the sort you want to write a political blueprint. He and Clinton would get along no doubt.

Jean-Claude Trichet- once charged with financial shady deals. Just the man to run the European Cental Bank.

Edith Cresson-charged with forgery and conflict of interest. Thinks english men are queers.

Neil Kinnock-now a Europen commissioner again. Once had to resign along with many others EU commissioners due to charges of fraud and corruption.

Romano Prodi-currently president of the European commission. Former Italian PM who has been under criminal investigation himself.

Sauron

Geforce

I do understand what the E in EU stands for and I am sure the Turks do as well (at least those who live in Europe do). The EU is, if nothing else, a handy method of distingushing “us from them”, but the European parts of both Turkey and Russia are as much European as Iceland is. I think it evident that both will be in sooner or later.

Canada obviously has strong Europen roots but so does the US. I am not advocating that they become members of the EU.

Your comment about Israel and NATO is very interesting. I agree that it would force some ‘attitude ‘ changes in a number of regions. Lets face it, Israel would have been destroyed had it not been for the US stepping in when Europe stepped out .

The UN has proven it is largely a useless organization when it comes to solving political problems It’s possible NATO could be much more effective body in reaching a lasting agreement between Israel and the Palistinian authority.

Perhaps it would allow the US to step back a bit and the European members to step forward a bit. Give the Palistinians membership as well if that’s what it takes. Put them in a position to make a deal with Israel without feeling the need to look around to see if the Arab states in the region approve, only to discover there is no one there.

Regards

Sauron

It’s ironic that Israel is the only country in the middle-east that would currently quality for membership in the EU and is also the only one not supported by many in the EU.
:confused:

Sauron