At 11:23 14-9-01 -0400, Gautam Mukunda wrote:
>Let me begin with a question. Suppose, as now seems likely, it is revealed
>that the bombers were supported and funded by the intelligence services of
>a foreign state or states - most likely Iraq. That would mean that the
>_government_ of another country was an active participant in the murder of
>5000 American citizens. Is there anyone on the list who does _not_ think
>that that constitutes an Act of War against the United States?
<raises hand>
An act of war is an agressive act by the military of a country against an
other country. There was no military strike against the US -- it was a
terrorist attack. Maybe I missed some footage, but I did not see anything
military in Manhattan that was non-US military. No foreign troops, no
airplanes from a foreign Air Force, no nothing.
>The last time that the United States went to war was 1941.
Three words that contradict that statement: Korea. Vietnam. Iraq.
>The Taliban have refused to hand over Bin Laden without conclusive
>proof of his involvement.
And rightfully so.
>As supplying that would reveal the "sources and
>methods" of American intelligence and make it much easier for other
>terrorists to evade detection and pursuit, that will not, I expect, be
>forthcoming
IOW, the US can attack anyone it wants to attack, since the evidence will
not be revealed en can therefore not be verified.
>The Bush Administration also seems to have come to a decision - that we
>need not limit our strikes to simply those responsible for this attack.
Lovely. This means that the US government has decided it can go and attack
every country that holds a grudge against the US. Does the US have the
necessary firepower and troops to wage war against most of the countries in
the Middle East?
>That last phrase is worth emphasizing. _Ending states_ who sponsor
>terrorism.
What do you intend to do once you have annihilated an entire country? Split
it up between the neighbouring countries? Keep it for yourselves and call
it the 51st State of the United States of America?
Jeroen
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