[Corsair]

...from my history book. A History of the Modern World Since 1815 by R.R. Palmer, et al.

"Operation Desert Storm was remarkably successful, but no effort was made to continue on to Baghdad to dislodge Hussein from power. In defiance of the cease-fire terms, Iraq over the next several years repeatedly challenged the UN-imposed ban on the manufacture of nuclear, chemical, and other weapons of mass destruction and obstructed international inspection. The evidence mounted that Iraq was developing such weapons and could one day deploy them.
"The maintenance of stability in this vital area of the Middle East with its many rivalries and competing interests remained critical not only for the states of the Persian Gulf, the Arab nations, and Israel but also for the international community as well. Hussein's removal from power, desirable though that might be, could create a vacuum in the region and generate further instability" (933).

Discuss. Because, of course, we haven't talked about this one enough.

[Tiara]

On the first part on the quote: DUH!

On the second part: Thats what happens if you take out a big shot player in a region that's already unstable. Even the dumbest of dumb****s can think of that.

In short: Why did you post this? Cause as you yourself implied; we talked about this enough. Come up with some different and more interesting political topics.

Sorry if I seem a bit harsh. I'ts 2am here and I don't have any coffee.

[ionia23]

More on the imaginary WMD's....

[Setekh]

I actually had to read this very same book for my modern history course at high school. On the note of power vacuums: it happens every time, I don't know why people (e.g. this author) feel the need to continually point it out. Power vacuums have powered mankind's struggle for millenia up till now, and sparing the end of the world I don't see what will stop that cycle.

[Rictor]

Here's my effort to derail/save the thread, since as everyone has already pointed out, we've been over the WMD/Iraq situation many times before.

Lets play, name that statesman:

The unnatural and increasingly rapid growth of the feeble-minded and insane classes, coupled as it is with a steady restriction among the thrifty, energetic and superior stocks, constitutes a national and race danger which it is impossible to exaggerate ... I feel that the source from which the stream of madness is fed should be cut off and sealed up before another year has passed.

Who, oh who... Maybe Papa Joe?

This [revolutionary] movement among the Jews is not new. From the days of Spartacus-Weishaupt to those of Karl Marx, and down to Trotsky [Russia], Bela Kun [Hungary], Rosa Luxemburg [Germany], and Emma Goldman [the United States] ... this worldwide conspiracy for the overthrow of civilisation and for the reconstitution of society on the basis of arrested development, of envious malevolence, and impossible equality, has been steadily growing.

Starting to sound a bit like Hitler. Could it be?

I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poison gas against uncivilised tribes.

Nah, nothing to worry about, its just Winston Churchill. He's the good guy, remember.

Taken from the Spectator article Churchill for Dummies



edit: why do the quotes go off the edge of the table while the whole rest of the page is normal. Anyone else getting this?