--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "pencimen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > So, if I understand you correctly, your favored strategy in dealing > > with Al Qaeda would be to: > > > > -Withdraw immediately from Iraq > > I'd give it six months, withdrawing gradually.
And would you still blame us for the number of people that would continue to die? > > -Cease all aid to Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, > Kuwait, and the Persian Gulf States > > No. I would continue aid where it is needed (does S.A. really get > aid? Why?) especially in Iraq where we're responsible for the > destruction of their infrastructure and the chaos that reigns there. Take a look at the recent list of Al Qaeda attacks - there's a start. I don't think that we're writing checks to the Saudi government, but I do believe that we provide military assistance. This assistance obviously goes back to the first Gulf War, and is related to the fact that it is Saudi supplies of oil that are keeping the world price at the 60-or-so dollar level that they are at right now. > > -Discontinue all pushes for UN oversight of Iran's nuclear program > > I don't believe it is possible to stop Iran from getting nuclear > weapons and that we should deal with that inevitability. What are we > going to do to stop them, John? Sanctions? Yea, that'll work. We > have to work with the assumption that governments we don't like are > going to arm themselves with these things and find a way to deal with > that threat. Sounds like "managed decline" to me.... > > -Impose a tariff on oil imports such that the price of oil > > consumption exceeds to price of renewable energies produced in the > > US > > I would raise energy taxes and use the revenue to fund alternatives. > I don't propose tripling the prices overnight. For one thing, people > wouldn't stand for it, but we're going to have to find alternatives > eventually, why not start now? Why continue to fund the fundies and > the terrorists? Well, the threat of terrorism is present today. So, either your proposing tripling the price of oil in this country, or you are proposing a policy with about as much near-term relevance for energy independence as drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In this case, it appears that you are proposing a policy that might bear fruit in decades, and engging in partisan bashing of the people who have an electoral responsibility to also look at policy options that are effective for the present. > > Do I have your policy correct? > > No. More like a caricature of my policy. > > What's yours stay the course? Ah, the classic partisan buzz phrase. Anyhow, I'd discuss my policy, but I haven't been elected President of the United States, so why should I? ;-) JDG _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
