h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Pity the poor fools who think otherwise - some of them being 'exile' politicians!

Pity the poor fools who think otherwise - some of them being 'exile' politicians!

Blatherskate, I have always respected your intelligence and evenhandedness in previous posts, even when I have not agreed with you. This reply is however, borderiing on outright nonsense:

*zoomer: I can also envision a military base in the area's future.* Don't you *envision* a democratic country that might want to make a decision by itself? And indeed chose against it just as the population (but not the Royal Family) of Saudi Arabia does?

*Does it really have to be the result of insidious planning, as I believe you imply?* No, but does it really have to be a part of the imposed *plan* for the supposed new independant democracy?

*Can't it just be the result of tighter cooperation between two sovereign nations in light of recent events?* Which two nations? I really would like to know the answer to that question.

*After all, that's how the US military got bases in the UK, and both sides appear to be perfectly content with the arrangement.* Yes, and remarkedly, the US did not have to liberate Britain and then impose it's will in order to do so. (btw, the DEW line is being dismantled in the north of Canada)

I await your answer with anticipation.

*Pity the poor fools who think otherwise - some of them being 'exile' politicians!*

Polititians rarely are poor,think nor deserve pity.

::bookmark::

>>Polititians rarely are poor,think nor deserve pity.<<
Lazy libertarianism, birth...

Sorry for the suspense...

Don't you *envision* a democratic country that might want to make a decision by itself? And indeed chose against it just as the population (but not the Royal Family) of Saudi Arabia does? - Yes, I do envision that. It'd be nice if they chose to give the US a base, should they ask. They retain the right to say no. It would be disappointing, considering the cost the US bore in their liberation. But that is still their right.

"No, but does it really have to be a part of the imposed *plan* for the supposed new independant democracy?" - Is anyone saying it *must* be? I haven't heard anything to suggest that.

"Yes, and remarkedly, the US did not have to liberate Britain and then impose it's will in order to do so." - That is exactly my point. The US and UK learned to work together during WWII, and built a trust relationship that allowed the two nations to come to certain accords. I don't see why that sort of thing couldn't happen in an Iraqi republic.

Are you seriously suggesting that the population would welcome a US military base? What possible advantage would that bring them? And do you honestly believe that the majority of musilims in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere actually welcome a forgein power within their borders? Have you been living on Mars for the last few decades? The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia is not elected, the base there is condemned throughout the musilim world, and this is nothing more than a power grab. Comparing it to two democratic, christian nations agreeing that bases near the Soviet bloc would be a strong strategic statement is utter nonsense! Would you feel the same way if Russia was to set up a military base? I can't believe you are blind to the situation there, so what is it? Blind patriotism?

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Even if your take on the Musilim world was true, why would the country in question need anything other than military assistance? Once again the US is taking on the role of *sheriff* without being asked. Why would a UN peacekeeping force not be the transition between a destroyed country and a rebuilt one? Why a US base, why not an *Alliance* one? Was the country liberated in order to protect it from it's neighbours? Why the automatic assumption that *Father Knows Best?*. The arrogance is frightening.

birth looks and then ponders Lifes Mysterys. What is it that has been birthed after only a 3 week gestation period in a certain region on this small blue planet he now inhabits.

What could it possibly be?

No way.

Not be possible.

Is it?

Maybe?

Hmmmm... Could it be a new geo-political landscape?

Could it be a modern version of an old story? Gunboat diplomacy? Imperialistic spheres of influence? Manifest Destiny? The Domino Theory? Grenada?

Could it be the neutralization of a totalian regime that has for years distablized a region that has more than it's share of problems?

Perception, such a strange thing.

Could it also be a destabilization of a library and a museum that have existed for.... herrrmm.... I dunno how long....!??

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zoomer: Could you please give me a source for your paranoia? As far as I know, we're talking about this in the abstract, and no request for a base has yet occurred. You're speaking as if it's already a foregone conclusion.

But since we're still talking about this in the abstract... you never know where the US (or its allies) will need to deploy its forces, so you never know which places you'll need bases. Having bases in as many foreign lands as possible gives you some force flexibility.

What if Iran turns into the next Iraq? What if Syria gets into the business of global terrorism? What if the Saudis cancel the leases for our bases there? What if a military coup occurs shortly after the coalition leaves Iraq?

The US acquired bases in Turkey (another cooperative Muslim country) during the Cold War, as part of the containment policy against the Soviets. Those bases have come in handy twice against Iraq. The US acquired bases in West Germany and Italy as concessions from WWII, those bases have served as staging points for forces deploying and as evacuation/emergency care facilities for the wounded.

You never know where you might need a base, or why you might use it.

*Could it also be a destabilization of a library and a museum that have existed for.... herrrmm.... I dunno how long....!??*

The museum was filled with Iraqi artifacts that went back to b.c. time periods. Its lost is beyond measure and brings tears to my eyes. However I will let you in on a little secret that will come out in next day or so. It was not looted. Library staff said what they thought were kurds went though the museum. However the speed and diligence to the artifats were taken suggest a planned robbery by professional thieves who took advantage of the disorder. It is a crime against the whole world.

Need for a base. Interesting choice of phrase Blatherskite.

The need according to one administration may not be the same as that according to another. Hawks and doves my friend. This particular adminstration has whipped up paranoia to the extent that it now has (or perhaps just believes it has) enough public support to to pretty much whatever it damn well pleases, regardless of the consequences, regardless of the reasons. The fact that Darryl Worley is number one in the US right now with a song called 'Have You Forgotten' which attempts (and maybe succeeds) to blame Iraq for flying planes into the WTC and therefore justifies attacking that country is a sure measure of public sentiment amongst a large number of Americans right now. Those are the people behind their President and who want him to carry on doing what he's doing. Regardless. He tells them what they want to hear, they back him all the way.

There are far too many 'what ifs' in your post Blatherskite, and here's another one - what if the American governament and its agencies abided by international law and kept itself to itself. If that happened there may not be any need for bases.

records reach number one because that's what people want to pay money to hear. Statistics rarely ever account for taste. Purchases rarely do so, either. For example, Shag Carpeting and Plastic Bracelets were once very popular in their day. Just because a song is number one doesn't mean EVERYONE is listening to it ardently. It only means that a large amount of people are purchasing it. And we don't know all the personal reasons that went into the purchase.

Besides, there are a lot of people in Texas.