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Subject: 
Re: Not the right way to exit?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Tue, 20 Jul 2004 22:01:46 GMT
Viewed: 
1100 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, John Neal wrote:
   I see your point and I agree. What is interesting, though, is the case of Germany and South Korea who, in essence, used US presence as “free” defense against Communism for about 50 years, so there is a precendent for this type of presence. But, of course, the ideal would be for us to leave at the soonest opportunity possible.

Ah, but in both cases, the U.S.S.R. was providing direct assistance on the other side of the fence. When one of the two world super-powers is supporting the opposing side of the conflict, there is no shame in asking the other one to help you out (in fact, it was kinda expected, as it was basically the only way the US and U.S.S.R. could fight with each other without destroying everything, kinda like the Vorlons and Shadows of B5). We helped Afghanistan defend their nation from being forcefully annexed by the Soviet Union (why they wanted it, I can’t imagine...), and that was fine and well, but if we have to defend their new government from their own citizens in order for it to survive, it’s not really a government “of the people”. Likewise, if we stationed around the Iraqi border to prevent neighboring countries from invading during the inevitable period of weakness following having had their entire system of government thrown out the window, that wouldn’t reflect badly on them, but if we have to keep the “free” people of Iraq from overthrowing the government that we helped set up, how exactly does that legitimatize the new government?



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Not the right way to exit?
 
(...) Nuts! I am a huge fan of ST:TNG, ST:DN9, and ST:V, but I never got into B5. I guess I'll never know what you are talking about;-) (...) You are correct; I, however, would content that the vast majority of Iraqis want a free government and that (...) (20 years ago, 21-Jul-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Not the right way to exit?
 
(...) I see your point and I agree. What is interesting, though, is the case of Germany and South Korea who, in essence, used US presence as "free" defense against Communism for about 50 years, so there is a precendent for this type of presence. (...) (20 years ago, 20-Jul-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)

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