RE: There is no such thing as war on terrorism

I don’t think there are many parallels between Czechoslovakia and the current “war”.

Appeasement didn’t work in that case; but that doesn’t mean it never will. The agressor then was Hitler; he is not of the same mettle as bin Laden or any other terrorist leaders.

My concern is that the Americans disagree with you and I, JJ.

They give the impression that war is great fun. It’s all a laugh. War should not be glamourised.

Also, coming back to the Saudi thread.

Exactly what right does any nation have to interfere in internal Saudi politics? The human rights records is poor, but that is an issue for SA. Not Europe, and not the US.

I mean, the US aint perfect in terms of human rights. Nor is Europe. We shouldn’t cast stones when we live in glass houses!

RE: bye bye Italy

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-06-02 AT 10:07 PM (GMT)]Strange!

Totti has not impressed me, and Maldini was dreadful against Mexico.

On the other hand, Rivaldo doesn’t have so many fans now. He can’t even tell his knees from his head! Just another cheat from South America. Unusual for the Brazilians, though.

Ronaldo is playing well, but his major line of supply is Ronaldinho. If he can be subdued, Brazil can be beaten. Both by Germany and by England.

RE: There is no such thing as war on terrorism

JJ, surely you beleive in freedom of speech?

People can say what they want and they are free to do so. Now you mention it, the only real instances of denial of free speach relate to Nazism.

Two things happened in the UK a few years ago:

1. It became illegal to deny the holocaust
2. Mein Kampf was nearly banned

OK, only an idiot would deny the holocaust and Mein Kampf is not pleasant reading.

But, it goes right against the principle of free speech.

As an addition, I find the “war is good vs evil” argument to be vulgar in the extreme.

There is an old and cliched expression which I beleive sums up the reality very well:

WAR IS HELL

War in itself is evil. We must only go to war as a last resort, and we also must accept why war is hell. People do monstrous things, on all sides.

I don’t know if you noticed, but usually the people who least want to fight are the Generals; it is usually politicians who are eager for a few votes. It is illuminating that Colin Powell, the most “peaceful” senior American, is a former General.

Geforce was accused of appeasement.

If this saves lives, what can possibly be your objection to it?

RE: Political leaders

I don’t think we’ll agree on the Gib issue Keltic! Suffice it to say that in a democracy, you cannot illegitimise the popular decision just because you don’t like the people’s motives.

Well, to the defence of Europe!!

Point 1:
I agree that the primary European motive is trade, over human rights. I personally have no moral issue with this. But in the end, trade is the US motivation too.

Don’t try to disguise that with flowery talk about the president being legally obliged to protect Taiwan at the expense of trade. You refer the losses on Boeing orders, either realised or unrealised, I’m not sure.

But the real trade mission is not Boeings, nor Buicks. It is Coca Cola and all the smaller trappings of US commerce.

Point 2:
If the US considers that both sides in the Isro-Palestinian conflict are to blame, you are begging a very big question. Why do you throw your weight behind only one side??

Besides, as my earlier posts indicated, both sides are guilty. I do support the Palestinians, but I fully acknowledge that they are not
knights in shining armour. Maybe my motives here are negative; support for the underdog perhaps.

Point 3:
Please learn to accept criticism. The US aint perfect, you know.

RE: your favourite cities

Moscow sounds fantastic. People who have lived there for a few years tell me that Moscow and St. Petersburg are both real treasures. I will definitely spend a few days in the Hermitage before I die, maybe together with a river cruise.

My only concern is the level of crime?

RE: Virgin in talks to sell Heathrow slots to BA

What a whinger Bishop is!

Is he seriously suggesting that he would not do the same? All companies act to try and maximise profits if they can.

RE: your favourite cities

Here’s my favourites:

1. New York (I bet that surprised a few people!)
2. Cape Town
3. Amsterdam
4. Dublin
5. Prague

Before Mugabe turned into a madman, Harare was a great place. Lots of fairly sophisticated areas (Meikles hotel – wow!) and the Jacaranda lined Avenues were, well, nice.

RE: Political leaders

The UK may have violated the terms of the agreeement, but the status of the occupation has since moved on.

The ethnic make up of Gibraltans is not so Spanish; after the last referendum (a few years ago), an overhelming majority of Gibraltans (somewhere over 90%) voted to remain under British protection rather than be absorbed by Spain.

When Gib was ceded, it was nothing. Literally, it was a rock with very few inhabitants. Over the centuries it has grown into a thriving town and indeed into more or less a part of Britian. It may techincally be a colony, but most Gibraltans I know (only 2, admittedly) are very British. Not Spanish at all.

And…

What about the Spanish colonies in North Africa? How can Spain want Gib back when the Moroccans have no chance of reclaiming their own coastline?

Regarding the tax haven bit: I live and work in another “tax haven”, the Isle of Man. Let me tell you that regulation and anti money-laundering controls both in the IOM and Gib are many times stronger and more effective than either the UK or Spain. In this day and age, Gibraltar is not particularly corrupt. It does offer advantageous tax rates; but it is the privilege of every fiscally independent jurisdiction to set its own tax policies without interference. Every country competes on tax with other countries; It’s just that when the country in question is small, we call it a tax haven. Quite unfair, really.