First a duel...now another challenge

Oh yes ... a battle of wits between unarmed opponents.

... better yet, could we bring back celebrity boxing?

I for one would pay my $50 bucks to see this on pay-per-view.

If the situation wasn't so serious, this story would be absolutely hilarious!

What happens after the debate? Whomever wins, gets his way? Saddam has really got to be kidding!

ebrown and Phoenix, I take it yawl do not consider this a viable alternative?

Saddam knows what he is doing. Bush debate what a joke. Than again Bush may be able to confuse him with Bushese.

Let us imagine that such a dispute takes place in some neutral territory (for personal security reasons Saddam may be reluctant to come to the USA and Mr. Bush -- to Iraq; New Zealand, IMHO, might be the optimal host). What language should it be conducted in? If in English, this will give unilateral advantages to Mr. Bush (it is his mother tongue); and if in Arabic, Mr. Bush would be completely neutralized. Usage of interpreters may distort meaning of the words of both leaders...

It'll be in both english and arabic. If it happens. And, there will be people listening to the translators - lots of people - to make sure there are no misunderstandings.

In a way this debate is already happening. Bush is speaking his piece in English and Saddam is appealing to his sympathizers in Arabic.

They are not listening to each other. But, this is true in most debates.

The real question is which of them will lose power first...

Anyone want to bet who wins...

ebrown,

Can't bet who wins, but I can predict who the losers will be

Both have been sabre rattling for so long. I think they should just whip out their manhoods and have at it.

As a foreigner, you can be excused for having posted this: Mr. Bush has never, to my knowledge, been known to speak the English language . . .

I guess, Saddam will lose power first. It will happen in 2003. Mr. Bush can be a President until 2008 (if he is re-elected in 2004).

Well, Bush has demonstrated a capacity to gain office without having garnered a majority of the popular vote, so, sadly, i would say it is very likely that he will get re-elected . . .

Setanta, I guess, you know well that elections in the USA are indirect. Only this explains success of the candidate having received less popular voices than his competitor, and not any special tricks.

Well, there have been several minority presidents, although it usually occurs when a third or fourth party splits the vote. There are quite a few in this country, though, who consider the tabulation of votes in Florida to have been a "special trick," and who are especially incensed by the interference of the Supreme Court in an executive branch election.

Well, when the sides cannot come to agreement on some specific and important question, interference of judge(s) may be required. At least, in the democratic countries. In some banana republic electoral crisis of Florida type might have caused a civil war...

There's only one way I see fit of settling this:

Apple pie eating contest.

Steissd, Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, precisely because this removes them from political influence once their nominations have been approved by the Senate. The United States Constitution provides a mechanism for determining the President if the Electoral College cannot, and that is for the decision to be made in the House of Respresentatives, which is what happened in the 1800 election. Many Americans deeply resent that a Court seen to be conservative, was used to elect Bush, given that there is a principal of separation of powers inherent in our form of government. Once appointed, a Supreme Court justice cannot be interfered with by either the Legislative or the Executive branches. Many Americans feel that the Judicial branch had no justifiable reason to be called to determine the result of an Executive branch election.

Hey, slappy,

Think the challengee gets the choice of weapons, and as for the panel of judges I do believe said panel should be comprised entirely of women draped in black with "noseeum" face veils, and just to make it fair, LittleK and Phoenix can be alternates.

(I don't do politics, sooooo)

Hey, setanta, If you're guarding the food bowl, who's gonna say, "en garde". You'd make a good second.

I agree...the women should be wearing face veils...ONLY face veils.