On Wed, Mar 05, 2003 at 08:21:23AM -0600, Dan Minette wrote: > But, you assume your conclusion in your basic statement. If you slide > the assumption that you are right into the framing of the question, > then it is trivial to prove your argument. I think the key question > is: what defines success? If you define success as getting rid of > Hussein,
But you miss the whole point of how the discussion began. Of course it is trivial. We were talking about pro-Hussein. Of COURSE I assumed getting rid of Hussein is the opposite of pro-Hussein. One could have a different (and valid) definition of success than removing Saddam from power quickly in a war, but it doesn't change the fact that opposing such an action favors keeping Hussein in power longer and with higher probability, and is therefore pro-Hussein. Feel free to extend the discussion to other topics, but it is hardly fair to criticize me for sticking to the original topic. > The reasonable arguments against overthrowing Hussein that I've seen > involve the repercussions of a prolonged US occupation of Iraq. Those > costs are not easy to quantify. Reasonable people can differ on the > cost benefit analysis of an invasion. Thinking that the cost to the > US and the world of overthrowing Hussein is greater than the benefits > does not equate to being pro-Hussein. But it does. As you said, it is trivial to prove, by definition. You have a valid argument about the possible costs, but if you are still opposing a policy that has a high success of removing Saddam, you are therefore pro-Saddam. > Its like arguing that people who are opposed to high speed chases in > urban areas are pro-criminal. You have over-generalized. People who advocate letting those suspects get away who flee in vehicles at high speed are advocating a pro-[high speed vehicle fleeing suspect] policy. That is true. It may be the best policy overall, but it gives those suspects a higher chance of getting away. -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
