Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Um. Joke?

Sorry for looking for the parallels you said there were.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

I agree that if the host country cannot guarantee the physical safety of the embassy personnel or grounds then we should not have an embassy there. The question then becomes what do you do when the host country guarantees that safety and then something happens? I think it is best to see whether the host country (1) publicly and strongly condemns the attack, (2) makes a good faith effort to find the perpetrators including sharing all information they have with us, and (3) helps us in our effort to ensure it does not happen again.

I think we are going to be dealing with a lot of problems with both sincerity and competence among the factions of these new governments. Just pulling out and leaving them to stew in their own juices is a recipe for failed states and Taliban-like fundy movements. As irritating as it is, we have to stay engaged.

Short of turning the entire region into a parabolic mirror, that is. I imagine there will be calls for that eventually.

Having U.S. embassy staff in their country or not isn't going to make or break them. If they become a failed state (to the extent they haven't already), it's not because we have an embassy there or not. I do agree that if a country takes all the right steps then you don't yank an embassy. But, I have little faith that these countries can take all the right steps and ensure our embassy's safety. There are ways to stay engaged without providing a sitting duck target for the next tantrum the populace of a given Muslim country decides to throw.

[Rover]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Oh, so now it's different because it didn't happen on that day? Quit changing your story.

It seems like you're having a conversation with yourself. You know that ugly person who keeps mocking you by mimicking your every move? That's called a "mirror" and there's no need to take out your frustrations with that person on me.

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

You mean a democratically elected Emperor would show great restraint as terrorists regularly attack his nation even though he could wipe them out if there was no concern for the civilian toll? I'm missing the parrallels here. I think you've gotten them flipped around.

Um. Joke?

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

In the end, the host country has to bear responsibility, as we can't station armies in every country to protect all our embassies. Since these Muslim countries are either unable or unwilling to do what needs to be done to protect our embassies, we pull out until we're confident of their willingness/ability to provide protection.

I agree that if the host country cannot guarantee the physical safety of the embassy personnel or grounds then we should not have an embassy there. The question then becomes what do you do when the host country guarantees that safety and then something happens? I think it is best to see whether the host country (1) publicly and strongly condemns the attack, (2) makes a good faith effort to find the perpetrators including sharing all information they have with us, and (3) helps us in our effort to ensure it does not happen again.

I think we are going to be dealing with a lot of problems with both sincerity and competence among the factions of these new governments. Just pulling out and leaving them to stew in their own juices is a recipe for failed states and Taliban-like fundy movements. As irritating as it is, we have to stay engaged.

Short of turning the entire region into a parabolic mirror, that is. I imagine there will be calls for that eventually.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

FYP. Check out the Constitution.

That's a fuzzy line these days.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

It sounds like the Emperor was going to pull an Israel with the survivors and compound a genocide by stealing somebody else's planet for them. The parallels become more and more eerie.

You mean a democratically elected Emperor would show great restraint as terrorists regularly attack his nation even though he could wipe them out if there was no concern for the civilian toll? I'm missing the parrallels here. I think you've gotten them flipped around.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

You're in fine form today. Didn't know presidents can declare war.

FYP. Check out the Constitution.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Physical embassies are obsolete, but I think they are still have great symbolic value.

Obviously, they have to be sufficiently protected. I heard something about embassies having either A (Marines), B (DOS), or C (Contractors) security and Benghazi was a C. That does not seem like a very good idea to me for any place in the Middle East or Africa.

In the end, the host country has to bear responsibility, as we can't station armies in every country to protect all our embassies. Since these Muslim countries are either unable or unwilling to do what needs to be done to protect our embassies, we pull out until we're confident of their willingness/ability to provide protection.

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

That one was already destroyed, so I guess it's back to earth. And really we've done more to deserve destruction than Alderaan, eh? Reading the wiki about Alderaan, we could learn a lot from them.

It sounds like the Emperor was going to pull an Israel with the survivors and compound a genocide by stealing somebody else's planet for them. The parallels become more and more eerie.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

He's already declared war on Iran and Russia. Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb IRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're in fine form today. Didn't know presidential candidates (non-sitting) can declare war.

[Kepler]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Pulling out of a few embassies in unstable Middle East countries would likely save money.

Physical embassies are obsolete, but I think they still have great symbolic value.

Obviously, they have to be sufficiently protected. I heard something about embassies having either A (Marines), B (DOS), or C (Contractors) security and Benghazi was a C. That does not seem like a very good idea to me for any place in the Middle East or Africa.

[Bob Gray]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Worse. Alderaan.

That one was already destroyed, so I guess it's back to earth. And really we've done more to deserve destruction than Alderaan, eh? Reading the wiki about Alderaan, we could learn a lot from them.

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

So Romney will destroy planet earth because of what happened in Libya and Egypt if elected?

He's already declared war on Iran and Russia. Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb IRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joecct]

Re: Global War on Terror III: Dick Cheney's Hague ICC Vacation

Wow.

Tell me, how much money would you like to spend, and how many lives do you want to end?

Holy Diplomatic Note, Batman!!

Read my post -- Expel the diplomats, recall an ambassador, and cut off the money. Where do I say bombs?