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Originally posted by Ray
I request all potential candidates who will haul me over the coals i.e. flamers to read the article 'Victory Disease' that has been published in the Military Review written by an US military officer. It is an excellent article not only for Americans to read, but surprisingly for even Indians and others who feel that they are better than others.
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The General is refering to this Military Review Article
The Victory Disease by Major Timothy M. Karcher, U.S. Army
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Because of America's vast strength, national and military leaders might become overconfident in our abilities and begin to underestimate those of the enemy. This cultural phenomenon manifests itself in the mindset sometimes called the Victory Disease. America's position as the sole global superpower makes it an excellent candidate for the disease. The military must devote itself to diminishing the possibility of falling prey to the disease.
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Originally posted by Ray
We cannot get away from the fact that (as Trooth pointed out) that we have been conned that Saddam had WsMD and was a threat to civilisation. He has None. He may have been an ass to talk BIG, but then, if talking BIG is a fault, then it is another question.
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Sir,
The only thing that we were wrong about was the stockpiles Saddam was supposed to have. We were not wrong about his Research and Development programs nor of his intent. 12 years of air war had already proven that Saddam had no intentions of abiding by the terms of surrender.
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Originally posted by Ray
Compare the danger to the world. Saddam had NO Weapons of MD. He was attacked. To believe that the CIA is a bunch of cretins and chumps is doing disservice to the great worked they have done so far.
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The CIA is a bunch of Yahooes. My personal belief based upon the treachery they performed. I'll leave it at that.
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Originally posted by Ray
Yet no attack has been organised to knock off Pakistan where their nuclear bomb hero QA Khan SOLD nuclear secrets and EQUIPMENT to Libya, North Korea and Iran! The saving grace is that Musharraf has capped the disease at serious personal risk, both politically and with his life. The Muslim fundamentalists will not take it lying down. Yet, the US, which is the bastion of world safety, is pussyfooting. And so is India pussyfooting. The US was well aware many years back that he was selling the secrets. Then, why this moral indignation of the US at North Korea having nuclear arsenal? Why didn't they stop it? Political expediency. But at what risks? US soldiers in South Korea are now up a gum tree.
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Sir, neither North Korea nor Pakistan signed terms of surrender that was enforcable by lethal force. Saddam did sign those terms.
As for the proliferation problem, no one is innocent. Canada unwittingly helped India with her 1st nuke. China told Pakistan that her original nukes would not work. France built Iraq's reactors. The US turned a blind eye to Israeli nuclear esponiage.
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Originally posted by Ray
My question to all is that: OK, there were missiles a wee beyond the authorised range in Iraq, but where are the WMD?
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That is the big question in discussion. We knew that they existed. We can't find them. We know that they have been very improperly disposed of. It has now become an ecological imperative to find them or more preisely, the site to which these WMDs were disposed and clean it up in some way or at least isolate it. These weapons existed, Sir. That is for certain. The chemicals and biologicals that were in them has now become a health hazzard.
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Originally posted by Ray
I have no qualms about going to war against anyone who violates the rules. I bought the theory that Saddam had WMD. But, what I hate is that I have been conned by fat cats.
Blix was not sure that there are WsMD.. Al Baradi was categorical; Kay says its ******** and so does that British expert whose name skips my mind [not the guy who killed himself]. So, who do I believe?
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As with people of our profession, Sir. We believe in ourselves and we correct ourselves when we make a mistake and we owe up to those mistakes, even if those mistakes had cost lives.
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Originally posted by Ray
And here is my neighbour's hero of the Islamic bomb using the blackmarket to get richer and selling stuff to Al Qaeda! Lest you think he is wrong, well the way the world has gone against the Islamic chaps, they too have to look after their own. However, he made a personal fortune in the bargain. That is not Islamic.
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He was caught, Sir and I'm hoping for a firing squad.
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Originally posted by Ray
So, friends, what is the answer? Tarry a while before condemning. We, too, are at fault. Doctor, heal thyself as the saying goes.
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The first thing, though, Sir is to admit that we are sick, or in this case, that we were wrong. However, Sir, I've re-examine my deductions based upon the available evidence and Saddam's intent. I cannot see how I could arrive at any other conclusion.
1) We knew that he had those WMDs.
2) He could not or would not prove he destroyed them.
3) He issued orders for those WMDs to be used.
4) He started wars and initated actions to which he had no hope of success but was willing just to inflict casualties for the sake of casualties
a) The Iran-Iraq War
b) The Kuwait War
c) Assassination attempt on George Bush Sr
d) 12 years of the Iraq Air War
The urgency was created by 11 Sept. 11 Sept had shown Saddam that the traditional terrorist campaign of extremely small and isolated action has now given way to company level executions. There were over several hundred people involve in 11 Sept, not just a small cell, and they operated without the national infrastructure of a national military and intelligence organizations.
Saddam had those and his brain must have been clicking into overtime. He praised 11 Sept and must have been thinking on how could he capitalize on this new tactic.
As a soldier, my thinking was it was time to finish the job once and for all before he gets the chance to use his aim.
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Originally posted by Ray
Tw-acs,
Got your name right?
It is not my 'arrogance' that I addressed you with. It is just to assist you to into the path to logical discussion. Logicality denied and venom spewing doss not lead to education.
Indeed, we must get to the rationality for the Iraq War. Indeed, we have been conned. But will shouting irrationality help reaching the goal? Don't be self motivated and bear the Cross. There are many in the US and UK who too are equally peeved. And there are many in the US, UK and elsewhere who are not peeved. Listen to their viewpoints too. You and I cannot change the leaders of this world. At least, we can learn how they tick.
My famed by-line is - Take it Easy and Look Busy!
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Sir, my compliments and respects. I've earned my arrogance as I am well sure, so have you. However, you sure have a way of gently putting people in their place.