I believe French and Russian Financial concerns and suspiscions to be the source of their reticence. I believe their concerns protected and their suspicions unfounded. I would be surprised if Post-Saddam Iraq fails to honor previous commercial contracts and obligations. Neither France nor Russia have anything to gain from continuing under the current condition ... whose oil is whose is moot if no oil is being shipped. In a way, I suppose it IS all about OIL ... for some folks.
timber r
BuzzFlash Editorial Stance is, by definition and self acclamation, egregiosly inflamatory. Buzz words and ridicule do little to lend credence to an argument, however valid and well intentioned that argument may be. What is said may suffer severe loss of notice for the manner in which it is said.
By our own mutually accepted A2K "Rules of Engagement", the BuzzFlash article calls criticism to itself with great enthusiasm. It is well written, and addresses serious matters. IMHO, the article does not seriously address those matters.
timber
timber,
IMHO, it do, and in this case reflects a very serious critique that is absolute and true! It points up points I state over and over and over - I fully adhere to this entire point of view and consider it as valid as any other statement on this entire thread, much more than many! I understand many a person dislike for Buzzflash, as I have for many other links that have been added. But, this editorial is backed by many similar editorials in the more mainstream media and are no more questionable than your prior response. I will stand by my inclusion!
having never read BuzzFlash prior to this link, i find it highly opinionated and clearly so, so am i; it does not offer anything other than opinion so what is the problem with it?
Steve
Very interesting article but I don't agree with the last sentence in your post. I believe sincerely that the US administration will be very grateful for the support of our ONLY ally in this mess and I hope you and the CEO of BP are wrong.
dyslexia, I agree with you fully, it is just opinion - but why is that a problem? Oh yes, Buzzflash is strictly opinion, go to:
www.buzzflash.com
where they include all their articles with a bit of opinion. The articles are of course geared to their opinion - not always mine, BTW.
I read BuzzFlash often. The articles are often well written, but I feel that in pressing their agenda they trend toward the inflamatory, and that they are not exactly immune to the faults of ad hominem, straw dogs, and contextual manipulation, omong others. It is a time honored technique, with many adherents. I am not an adherent of that particular school of discourse. Again, whether or not I may sympathize with any argument they may put forward, I am distasteful of their general manner of discourse. Whether that is my problem or theirs, or whether it is even a problem, are uncertain to me. They have their style, I have mine. They don't have to like mine, and I don't have to like theirs.
timber
BBC this afternoon stated most recent poll showed 70% would vote against any G.B. involvement in Iraq without the second UN resolution.
timber, they do fall into the category of Rush, Carville - et al, I agree. It is inflammatory, to a degree. And some articles are extra hot. As I said, in general, I don't read a lot of the editorial nor agree with all the positions. I do like the number of small town columns and articles plus the sometimes off beat.
I picked this article because it so mirrors a great number of my feelings- eloquently I might add. I personally try to stay away from faults of ad hominem, straw dogs, and contextual manipulation. But, when visible within other responses (and there was a number of them earlier) I try to ignore and use my intelligence to step over them.
I am not trying to offend, but this subject is a very harsh, realistic event. I know you know this as you have eloquently stated many times in the past.
but i forgot whatever the rest of the world thinks is irrelevant.
BillW wrote:I try to ignore and use my intelligence to step over them.
I am not trying to offend,
You don't offend anyone who matters by high-stepping through mud :wink:
timber, who should at least use "Preview", fer chrissakes
Forgive the digression ... I just thought I'd toss a tip of the hat to edgarblythe, who initiated this thread. It is among the longest running and most active threads on A2K. With nearly 1200 replies and nearly 10, 000 views, it obviously indicates the importance of the issue to all.
To the members of A2k, the next most important thing appears to be
What Are You Wearing Today?[/i] (a thread in which I myself enjoy frolicking)
I suppose that may say something.
timber
only to those who are myopic----not everyone can be a world class poet and mystic who can foretell the future with such clarity.
timber, politics equals mud,
"high stepping" - that's sounds down right sophisticated :wink:
Politics and diplomacy call for some pretty fancy dancin' sometimes. Lots of folks enjoy the show, but can't quite break the moves themselves.
timber
Sometimes end up face down in it me own self.
I find myself more frequently balanced on my own nose and eyebrows than I would wish. Particularly inconvenient when the landing is hard.
timber
The Kuwaiti man in the street is pleased the Brits are on board. "They are prepared to fight and take casualties".
We are prepared to take casualties, most as in the last war, will be from American "friendly" fire.
I would be far happier if the US left us Brits to sort out Saddam alone without American "help".
We can see Prime Minister's Questions in the U.S. on our CSPAN network every Sunday night. Its been on there for at least five years or so.
