FirmhandKY
Posts: 8948
Joined: 9/21/2004 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kdsub I like to believe my thinking generally reflects the so-called silent majority. At least this has proven true for the last thirty years or so in America. If I do understand this mind set… then this is what America will demand if thousands die in another terrorist attack. There will be no borders that will not be crossed to root out terrorist. America will demand a full scale all out war. This means any country even suspected of harboring, supplying, or tolerating terrorists would be accountable. This could mean the annihilation of Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and the possibility of N. Korea and the restructuring of Saudi Arabia. Sadly it will be the only way to cut out the rot in that part of the world. My views I understand will not be popular here...hell they are not popular with me... but I think I am closer to reality then many others posting on this thread. It makes no difference if I come off like a warmonger...heavens knows I'm not...There comes a time, as in WWII, when diplomacy means weakness… come and take me. Despite what many may believe…if there is one thing Americans are not…is weak. Butch Panda isn't a Jacksonian. I think there would be some domestic repercussions, but I think you've got the final result exactly correct. From The Jacksonian Tradition by Walter Russell Mead Once wars begin, a significant element of American public opinion supports waging them at the highest possible level of intensity. The devastating tactics of the wars against the Indians, General Sherman’s campaign of 1864-65, and the unprecedented aerial bombardments of World War II were all broadly popular in the United States. During both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, presidents came under intense pressure, not only from military leaders but also from public opinion, to hit the enemy with all available force in all available places. Throughout the Cold War the path of least resistance in American politics was generally the more hawkish stance. Politicians who advocated negotiated compromises with the Soviet enemy were labeled appeasers and paid a heavy political price. The Korean and Vietnam Wars lost public support in part because of political decisions not to risk the consequences of all-out war, not necessarily stopping short of the use of nuclear weapons. The most costly decision George Bush took in the Gulf War was not to send ground forces into Iraq, but to stop short of the occupation of Baghdad and the capture and trial of Saddam Hussein. Firm
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Some people are just idiots.
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