Way to go, Dubya!

by nvrgnbk 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  VoidEater

  That stupid sign on the aircraft carrier was not the Administration's idea.

  No - they just made use of it. Poorly, in hindsight. ;-) Gotta love politics, if at least for comedic purposes.

  On engaging: of course, BTS, I must disagree. Without engaging an enemy politically, the only other course of action is to engage them militarily (I leave out the "do nothing" alternative). Whether with preconditions or without, you are at least engaging politically - perhaps for purposes of sound-bytes, Bush makes no distinction between engaging, engaging with preconditions, engaging with chaperones, engaging with jewelry, using his engaging smile, etc. There are all kinds of nudge-wink engagements going on, using go-betweens, between the worst of enemies; it serves only a superficial purpose to grandstand like this.

  The ultimate goal is peace, yes? Peace will come about with the annhilation of one side (hmm...when has that worked out?), or negotiation, conciliation and compromise. It is the way of the world.

  To think we should not compromise is just counter to reality, and suggests a deep-seated resistance to adulthood.
• 

  BurnTheShips

  On engaging: of course, BTS , I must disagree. Without engaging an enemy politically, the only other course of action is to engage them militarily (I leave out the "do nothing" alternative). Whether with preconditions or without, you are at least engaging politically - perhaps for purposes of sound-bytes, Bush makes no distinction between engaging, engaging with preconditions, engaging with chaperones, engaging with jewelry, using his engaging smile, etc. There are all kinds of nudge-wink engagements going on, using go-betweens, between the worst of enemies; it serves only a superficial purpose to grandstand like this.

  There are low level contacts being maintained with Iran, especially vis a vis the Iraq situation. I disagree with you however regarding the mere "superifiality" of such a stance regarding a visible high-level engagement. Engagement implies a degree of recognition.

  However, regarding the "no preconditions" stance, apparently the Obama campaign is backpedaling on that as well. This was yesterday:

  "Let's not confuse precondition with preparation," said Gibbs of any talks with Iran. "Obviously these meetings would be full of preparation. But we're not going to sit down and engage Iran, unless or until they give up their nuclear weapons program.

  BTS
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  VoidEater

  Engagement implies a degree of recognition.

  I would agree. Recognition can be (and sometimes is) just the recognition of existance (rather than authority). To not recognize that the "bad guys" exist is really counterproductive, to say the least.

  I'm not sure what is worse - pretending bad guys don't exist (so you don't talk to them), or mistaking where they're hiding out (and invading the wrong place for your stated purposes). But that's really another thread, eh?

  Cheers!
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  jaguarbass

  W. has proven over and over he could muck up a wet dream.