Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Louis Proyect wrote: (A frequent argument on behalf of Kerry is that he would have not invaded Iraq after 9/11. He might be an imperialist but is not a rash, adventuristic unilateralist. Guess what, folks. He is a rash, adventuristic unilateralist. He might not be a born-again Christian and might favor stem-cell research, but on the burning question of the day, he and Bush are agreed.) Kerry Defends Position on Iraq Democrat Says He Would Reduce U.S. Troops Within 6 Months (snip) -- I don't attach much credibility to what opportunistic politicians say in election campaigns -- particularly in Kerry's case, where he perceives his electoral fortunes, rightly or wrongly, to be dependent on adaptation to a segment of the voting population infected with a high degree of chauvinism. But there's no evidence whatever that the Democratic leadership saw an invasion of Iraq as a pressing necessity, much less that they were prepared to break with their closest allies and the UN to initiate one. Either you're much too taken by what politicians running for office (or their aides) say, which I doubt, or you're grasping at straws in your effort to persuade us that there aren't any distinctions, tactical or otherwise, we need to draw between the economic and foreign policies of the two parties. MG
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Marvin Gandall wrote: I don't attach much credibility to what opportunistic politicians say in election campaigns -- particularly in Kerry's case, where he perceives his electoral fortunes, rightly or wrongly, to be dependent on adaptation to a segment of the voting population infected with a high degree of chauvinism. Huh??? A clear majority of Americans now thinks the war was a mistake. Beyond that, 90 percent of the delegates at the DP convention thought the same thing. I wouldn't call Kerry an adaptationist at all. I would say that he is swimming against the stream. That is, if you exclude the sections of the United States that are outside the Washington, DC beltway and who don't have a signed autograph of Tim Russert. But there's no evidence whatever that the Democratic leadership saw an invasion of Iraq as a pressing necessity, much less that they were prepared to break with their closest allies and the UN to initiate one. I don't engage in alternative historical scenarios. I leave that to writers who think up plots like Germany defeating Great Britain in WWII, or Elvis alive and well in Albuquerque. -- The Marxism list: www.marxmail.org
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/11/04 2:27 PM Marvin Gandall wrote: I don't attach much credibility to what opportunistic politicians say in election campaigns -- particularly in Kerry's case, where he perceives his electoral fortunes, rightly or wrongly, to be dependent on adaptation to a segment of the voting population infected with a high degree of chauvinism. Huh??? A clear majority of Americans now thinks the war was a mistake. Beyond that, 90 percent of the delegates at the DP convention thought the same thing. I wouldn't call Kerry an adaptationist at all. I would say that he is swimming against the stream. kerry, of course, did go to war... guy i work with taught at school overseas with jfk's sister years ago and he says that she talked about how her brother wanted to be prez as teen (reminds of what used to be reported about clinton), he joined military because he thought that would be useful in later career, noticed wind was blowing in different direction after coming back from vietnam and jumped on anti-war bandwagon (some may recall flap a few months back over whether or not jfk was at v v a w meeting in which presidential assassination was raised, 'suggestion' was attributed to gainesville 8 defendant scott camil who feds would later try to kill), surely no one (even his loudest/strongest 'left' supporters) ever thought kerry was gonna rock the boat... michael hoover -- Please Note: Due to Florida's very broad public records law, most written communications to or from College employees regarding College business are public records, available to the public and media upon request. Therefore, this e-mail communication may be subject to public disclosure.
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
The foreign policy difference between Bush Kerry would probably be that Kerry would be less likely to instigate crises, such as Haiti -- maybe Venezuela, but faced would public pressure might react like Bush, or even worse in order to prove that he is STRONG. -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Michael Perelman wrote: The foreign policy difference between Bush Kerry would probably be that Kerry would be less likely to instigate crises, such as Haiti Clinton co-opted Aristide; Bush overthrew him. The first sucks but the second is worse. Doug
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Exactly. On Wed, Aug 11, 2004 at 04:10:37PM -0400, Doug Henwood wrote: Michael Perelman wrote: The foreign policy difference between Bush Kerry would probably be that Kerry would be less likely to instigate crises, such as Haiti Clinton co-opted Aristide; Bush overthrew him. The first sucks but the second is worse. Doug -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Michael Perelman writes: The foreign policy difference between Bush Kerry would probably be that Kerry would be less likely to instigate crises, such as Haiti -- maybe Venezuela, but faced with public pressure might react like Bush, or even worse in order to prove that he is STRONG. public pressure--this should be translated an orchestrated media campaign, n'est-ce-pas? Shane Mage Thunderbolt steers all things...It consents and does not consent to be called Zeus. Herakleitos of Ephesos
Re: Kerry would have gone to war
Shane is also correct in interpreting my meaning. On Wed, Aug 11, 2004 at 04:18:25PM -0400, Shane Mage wrote: Michael Perelman writes: The foreign policy difference between Bush Kerry would probably be that Kerry would be less likely to instigate crises, such as Haiti -- maybe Venezuela, but faced with public pressure might react like Bush, or even worse in order to prove that he is STRONG. public pressure--this should be translated an orchestrated media campaign, n'est-ce-pas? Shane Mage Thunderbolt steers all things...It consents and does not consent to be called Zeus. Herakleitos of Ephesos -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu
