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marlowe
from Antarctica on 2003-03-18 07:52 [#00601800]
Points: 24596 Status: Regular
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Yes, anyone who is not supporting Bush must be a hippy -- good insight you have, go gadget.
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nacmat
on 2003-03-18 08:08 [#00601848]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker
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bush gave us 48 hours
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| Attached picture |
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tibbar
from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-03-18 08:09 [#00601851]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker
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and, supposedly, ANOTHER 48 hours.
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go gadget
from who cares (United States) on 2003-03-18 08:12 [#00601858]
Points: 159 Status: Lurker
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"anyone who is not supporting Bush must be a hippy"
???
did i say that? silly me
i was just reffering to some of the people on this mesg. board
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nacmat
on 2003-03-18 08:13 [#00601861]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker | Followup to go gadget: #00601858
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what do you mean with hippy?
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tibbar
from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2003-03-18 08:15 [#00601864]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker
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chin hippy, GREAT track ;)
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go gadget
from who cares (United States) on 2003-03-18 08:17 [#00601870]
Points: 159 Status: Lurker
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nothing actually...my 1st comment wasn't even meant to be taken seriously, you guys are just way too defensive
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go gadget
from who cares (United States) on 2003-03-18 08:17 [#00601874]
Points: 159 Status: Lurker
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good track indeed
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:33 [#00601948]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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----------------------------------------------------------- -------------
Bombing Iraq - A Response
Noam Chomsky 21 December 1998 I think the major reasons are the usual ones. The US and its increasingly pathetic British lieutenant want the world to understand -- and in particular want the people of the Middle East region to understand -- that "What We Say Goes," as Bush defined his New World Order while the missiles were raining on Baghdad in February 1991. The message, clear and simple, is that we are violent and lawless states, and if you don't like it, get out of our way. It's a message of no small significance. Simply have a look at the projections of geologists concerning the expanding role of Middle East oil in global energy production in the coming decades.
I suspect that the message is understood in the places to which it is addressed.
A very conservative assessment is that the US/UK attacks are "aggression," to borrow the apt termof the Vatican and others. They are as clear an example of a war crime as one could construct. In the past, acts of aggression, international terrorism, and violence have sometimes been cloaked in at least a pretense of legalism -- increasingly ludicrous over the years, to be sure. In this case there was not even a pretense. Rather, the US and its client simply informed the world that they are criminal states, and that the structure of binding international law and conventions that has been laboriously constructed over many years is now terminated. It is still available, of course, as a weapon against designated enemies, but apart from that it is without significance or value. True, that has been always been operative reality, but it has rarely been declared with such clarity and dramatic force.
As for the moral level, if the word can even be used, it is hard to improve on the pronouncements of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Two years ago, when asked on national TV about her reaction to reports that the sanctions she administers have killed h
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:35 [#00601952]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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As for the moral level, if the word can even be used, it is hard to improve on the pronouncements of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Two years ago, when asked on national TV about her reaction to reports that the sanctions she administers have killed half a million Iraqi children in 5 years, she responded that it is "a very hard choice," but "we think the price is worth it." We know well enough on what page of history those sentiments belong. Today, suggesting a reversal of Washington's policy since 1991 of seeking a military dictatorship to replace Saddam Hussein's in name at least, she explains that "we have come to the determination that the Iraqi people would benefit if they had a government that really represented them." We need not tarry on the plausibility of this sudden conversion. The fact that the words can be articulated tells us more than enough.
It costs the US/UK nothing to keep a stranglehold on Iraq and to torture its people -- while strengthening Saddam's rule, as all concede There is a temporary oil glut, and from the point of view of the oil majors (mainly US/UK and clients), it's just as well to keep Iraqi oil off the market for the moment; the low price is harmful to profits. That aside, competitors (France and Russia) are likely to have the inside track when Iraq, which has the world's second largest known energy reserves, is brought back into the international system, as it will be when its resources are needed. So it might not be a bad idea to bomb the refineries too, while dismantling further what remains of Iraqi society.
The region is highly volatile and turbulent. Alliances can quickly shift. Though the fact is carefully suppressed, we would do well to bear in mind that the US/UK were highly protective of their admired friend and trading partner Saddam Hussein right through the period of his worst crimes (gassing of Kurds, etc.), and returned to support for him right after the Gulf War, in March 1991, as he turned to crushing a Shi'ite rebellion in the South t
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:36 [#00601958]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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Though the fact is carefully suppressed, we would do well to bear in mind that the US/UK were highly protective of their admired friend and trading partner Saddam Hussein right through the period of his worst crimes (gassing of Kurds, etc.), and returned to support for him right after the Gulf War, in March 1991, as he turned to crushing a Shi'ite rebellion in the South that might have overthrown his regime. Alliances are likely to shift again. But fundamental interests remain stable, and the two warrior states are making it as clear as they can that they are dangerous, and others should beware. It might also be recalled that a recent high-level planning study, released early this year but scarcely reported, resurrected Nixon's "madman theory," advising that the US should present itself as "irrational and vindictive," flourishing its nuclear arsenal and portraying itself as "out of control." That should frighten the world properly, and ensure submissiveness, it is hoped.
The most ominous aspect of all of this is, perhaps, that the openly declared contempt for the law of nations and professed norms of civilized behavior proceeds without eliciting even a twitter of principled comment among the educated classes. Their position, with impressive uniformity, is that the criminal stance of the US and its client are so obviously valid as to be beyond discussion, even beyond thought. If such matters as international law or the opinions and wishes of the population of the region intrude at all, which is very rare, they are dismissed as a "technicality," with no bearing on the decisions of the global ruler. Not only are the warrior states officially declaring (not for the first time, to be sure) that the foundations of international order are an absurd irrelevance, but they are doing so with the virtually unanimous endorsement of the educated classes. The world should take notice, and it surely does, outside of narrow sectors of privilege and power.
The manner and timing of the attack were also surely int
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:36 [#00601959]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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The manner and timing of the attack were also surely intended to be a gesture of supreme contempt for the United Nations, and a declaration of the irrelevance of international law or other obligations; that too has been understood. The bombing was initiated as the Security Council met in emergency session to deal with the crisis in Iraq, and even its permanent members were not notified. The timing is interesting in other ways. The bombing began at 5PM Eastern Standard Time, when the three major TV channels open their news programs. The script is familiar. The first war crime orchestrated for prime time TV was the bombing of Libya in 1986, scheduled precisely for 7PM EST -- which is when the major TV news programs aired then.
Personally, I doubt that all of this has much to do with the impeachment farce. From Clinton's point of view, the coincidence mainly serves to undermine his credibility further, though Democrats are plainly hoping to construct an issue for later campaigns, establishing the basis for much passionate rhetoric about how these evil Republicans attacked our Commander-in-Chief while our brave sons and daughters were putting their lives on the line fighting for their country, and so on. The posture is familiar not only here, but also in the long and ugly record of warrior states generally.
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:37 [#00601961]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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The manner and timing of the attack were also surely intended to be a gesture of supreme contempt for the United Nations, and a declaration of the irrelevance of international law or other obligations; that too has been understood. The bombing was initiated as the Security Council met in emergency session to deal with the crisis in Iraq, and even its permanent members were not notified. The timing is interesting in other ways. The bombing began at 5PM Eastern Standard Time, when the three major TV channels open their news programs. The script is familiar. The first war crime orchestrated for prime time TV was the bombing of Libya in 1986, scheduled precisely for 7PM EST -- which is when the major TV news programs aired then.
Personally, I doubt that all of this has much to do with the impeachment farce. From Clinton's point of view, the coincidence mainly serves to undermine his credibility further, though Democrats are plainly hoping to construct an issue for later campaigns, establishing the basis for much passionate rhetoric about how these evil Republicans attacked our Commander-in-Chief while our brave sons and daughters were putting their lives on the line fighting for their country, and so on. The posture is familiar not only here, but also in the long and ugly record of warrior states generally.
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:38 [#00601965]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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sorry bout that last doubl post
.. here's something interesting re: bush and his obvious instability..
UNCLASSIFIED
Question 1 (Tasking for the Policy, Weapons, and Intelligence
Requirements Subcommittees):
[The Policy Committee was requested to prepare a Terms of Reference that
could be used as a baseline for the other subcommittees to use in
expanding the Deterrence of the Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction.]
Essentials of Post-Cold War Deterrence
[1995]
Introduction
Over the period of the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet
Union developed an understanding of deterrence and its role in
preventing war with one another. 'With the end of the Cold War and the
spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction, deterrence takes on a broader
multinational dimension. This paper addresses the broader view of
deterrence and the question, "How do we deter nations, other than the
Former Soviet Union, from using Weapons of Mass Destruction?"
[Obtained Under the Freedom of Information Act by Hans M. Kristensen]
Remove FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY designation
From THIS COPY ONLY. This document, as
Redacted, was released as part of
HQ USSTRATCOM FOIA Case #96-55
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 2
UNCLASSIFIED
Overview
Framework for Question I
A. Deterrence: a process that goes beyond the rational
1. Deterrence is an active and dynamic process.
2. Deterrence can't be just - a theory - a doctrine - a concept - a strategy
3. It m
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:39 [#00601966]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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3. It must affect the emotions, as well as the rational mind, of an
adversary.
4. It needs to change as leaders (on either side) change.
B. Knowing values and communicating them
1. We should inaugurate the deterrence process by first considering
the value of US interests that are, or may be, threatened. If US
vital interests are attacked, such an approach can appropriately
blur the distinctions between the different types of WMD that are
used, putting a value hierarchy in its place.
2. We must communicate. specifically, what we want to deter without
saying what is permitted.
3. We must understand in advance, to the degree possible, what an
adversary values.
C. Keeping our options open and our determination clear
1. We must be ambiguous about details of our response (or
preemption) if what we value is threatened, but it must be clear that
our actions would have terrible consequences for them.
2. We should have available the full range of responses- conventional weapons, special operations forces, and nuclear weapons,
so that we can decide which to use based on the circumstances.
3. Our deterrence plans need to be country- and leadership-
specific.
4. We must communicate our capability to hold at risk what they
value and, if possible, to protect what we value.
5. Without perceived national will and actual capability, none of
the above steps work. An adversary must perceive that we have the
national will to carry out responses.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 3
UNCLASSIFIED
-- Deterrence of the Soviets never depended on having "rational"
leaders. Stalin was in charge when the Soviets first began a build-up of
nuclear arms, and it is difficult to consider him as an example of a
rational leader. This is p
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:40 [#00601969]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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This is perhaps the grossest error of those who make arguments that the new multilateral threats are "undeterrable" because
the new regional actors are not likely to be rational. Stalin was hardly
more rational than they. The very framework of a concept that depends on
instilling fear and uncertainty in the minds of opponents was never, nor
can it be, strictly rational. Nor has it ever strictly required rational
adversaries in order to function.
-- What should be sobering to all of us in viewing deterrence as a
process is that its outcome was never, nor can it ever be, strictly
predictable. Yet its degree of success will, in 1arge measure, correlate
with the amount of effort we put into the process. This should be our
guide to adapting the deterrence process for future threats. The
critics would othherwise be correct: if we put no effort into deterring
these threats, they will be "undeterrable" by definition. If, on the
other hand, we expend the efforts necessary to give the maximum
likelihood of deterring new aggressors' use of WMD, we will have
maximized the chance that our efforts will be rewarded by the prevention
of such hostilities and the massive casualties that would result.
Deterrence can't be just - a theory - a doctrine - a concept - a strategy
-- As a part of the Policy Subcommittee's efforts, [deleted] has done an
outstanding study of the literature to examine deterrence as a theory, a
strategy, a doctrine, and a policy. His evaluation includes the work of
analysts, historians, and even neuroscientists. What emerges is a quite
complicated picture-one not likely or easily reduced to a simple
predictive formula, but rather a still evolving concept-more like
watching human history unfold than a static set of prescriptive
principles that, if carefully applied, could be used to ensure peace and
freedom.
It must affect the emotions, as well as the rational mind, of an
adversary.
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:41 [#00601973]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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-- The ways in which humans process and react to information is
doubtless one of the most complicated and least understood processes.
Yet, scholars working in a number of disparate disciplines-philosophy,
neurobiology, cultural anthropology, and social psychology-suggest that
this complexity of human behavior can be studied and understood. This is
especially true for the issue of self- preservation. Rousseau wrote:
"Man's first law is to watch over his own preservation; his first care
he owes to himself; and as soon as he reaches the age of reason, he
becomes the only judge of the best means to preserve himself; he becomes
his own master."
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 4
UNCLASSIFIED
-- In these two contexts it is easy to see the difficulty we have caused
ourselves in putting forward declaratory policies such as the 'Negative
Security Assurances," which were put forward to encourage nations to
sign up for the Nonproliferation Treaty. It is a mistake to single out
nuclear weapons from the remainder of other WMD without making the tie
between damages (or potential damages) that the US would find
unacceptable from the threat or use of any of these weapons. It is
important for the US and other major powers to address the issue of
universal membership within the NPT, the BW Convention, and the CXV
Convention. Treating these issues in a piecemeal fashion will not be in
the best interests of our long-term security. It should be noted,
however, that there are critical differences between these agreements -
the BW and CXV Conventions outlaw such weapons for all signatories.
while the NPT makes a distinction between the possession of nuclear
weapons by the five original nuclear weapons powers and everyone else.
We must understand in advance, to the degree po
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:42 [#00601975]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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We must understand in advance, to the degree possible, what an adversary values.
-- The concept of "value-based targeting" is not new. But just as for
deterrence itself, it is similarly fraught with difficulty, if one tries
to be too rational in considering how best to determine what a
particular adversary values. Determining what a nation's leadership
values is complex, since, to a considerable extent, it is rooted in a
nations culture. One is almost certain to err "mirror-imaging' is used
as a surrogate for understanding an adversary's values.
-- Getting inputs from intelligence assets on the ground within the
adversary s territory, along with other intelligence information-such as
intercepted communications-is likely crucial in deciding what to target.
The usual categories will, of course, include strategic weaponry (both
deployed and in storage or production). Other military capabilities, and
war-supporting industry, along with national leadership. But it may be
necessary to consider other unique motivators of either a society or its
leaders.
-- The story of the tactic applied by the Soviets during the earliest
days of the Lebanon chaos is a case in point. When three of its citizens
and their driver were kidnapped and killed, two days later the Soviets
had delivered to the leader of the revolutionary activity a package
containing a single testicle- that of his eldest son-with a message that
said in no uncertain terms, never bother our people again." It was
successful throughout the period of the conflicts there. Such an
insightful tailoring of what is valued within a culture, and its weaving
into a deterrence message, along with a projection of the capability
that can be mustered, is the type of creative thinking that must go into
deciding what to hold at risk in framing deterrent targeting for
multilateral situations in the future. At the same time this story
illustrates just how much more diff
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:43 [#00601979]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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At the same time this story illustrates just how much more difficult it is for a society such as
ours to frame its deterrent messages-that our society would never
condone the taking of such actions makes it more difficult for us to
deter acts of terrorism.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 5
UNCLASSIFIED
B. Knowing values and communicating them
We should inaugurate the deterrence process by first considering the
value of US interests that are, or may be, threatened.
If US vital interests are attacked, this approach can appropriately blur
the distinctions between the different types of WMD that are used
putting a value hierarchy in its place.
-- The first focus in achieving deterrence is to articulate the specific
act or acts that we want to prevent. We must first make clear to
ourselves, and then to a potential adversary, the level of value we
place on certain people, assets, and territory (e.g. that which would be
at risk in any attack against the US homeland). It must similarly be
clear that what we seek to deter has such a direct and strong
relationship to our most important national interests with few if any
options but to carry through on our deterrent threat, that we can, and
will act. Thus, deterrent statements fled to direct defense of a
homeland carry an inherent y stronger credibility than deterrent threats
extended in behalf of others. But the strength of resolve to act in
behalf of others can be demonstrated through past performance in such
alliances and when it appears that there is a strong consensus and
emotional or cultural attachment among our leaders.
-- This "value-based approach" can help to be the great equalizer in
blurring the distinction between an adversary's use of a particular
weapon of mass destruction. There are levels of da
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:44 [#00601986]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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There are levels of damage or destruction that we find unacceptable whether caused by (or resulting from) nuclear,
biological, chemica1, or conventional armaments.
We must communicate, specifically, what we want to deter without saying
what is permitted.
-- It will be important to frequently communicate with the adversary so
that there is little room for doubt as to what the US holds of
sufficient value that we seek to deter attack against it, and for which
we are willing to greatly escalate the level of conflict. The
communications should be delivered in a timely fashion, in terms that
can be easily understood, leaving no doubt of its seriousness, nor the
authority of the communicator.
-- While it is crucial to explicitly define and communicate the acts or
damages that we would find unacceptable and, hence, what it is that we
are specifically seeking to deter, we should not be ver specific about
our response. It is. however, crucial that the level of our commitment
to the things we value be unfaltering, and that the adversary have
little doubt of this. Without saying exactly what the consequences will
be if the US has to respond, whether the reaction would either be
responsive or preemptive, we must communicate in the strongest ways
possible the unbreakable link between our vital interests and the
potential harm that will be directly attributable to anyone who damages
(or even credibly threatens to damage) that which we hold of value.
Thus, it is undesirable to adopt declaratory policies such as "no first
use" which serve to specifically limit US nuclear deterrence goals
without providing equitable returns.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 6
UNCLASSIFIED
-- Fear is not the possession of the rational mind alone. Deterrence is
thus a form of bargainin
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:45 [#00601990]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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-- Fear is not the possession of the rational mind alone. Deterrence is
thus a form of bargaining which exploits a capability for inflicting
damage at such a level as to truly cause hurt far greater than military
defeat. Although we want any rational calculations about future state to
caution against action, to be most effective, deterrence must create
fear in the mind of the adversary -- fear that he will not achieve his
objectives, fear that his losses and pain will far outweigh any
potential gains, fear that he will be punished. It should ultimately
create the fear of extinction -- extinction of either the adversary's
leaders themselves or their national independence, or both. Yet, there
must always appear to be a "door to salvation" open to them should they
reverse course.
-- The emotional fears that we are seeking to invoke in an adversary
should be compelling, but should not be paralyzing. He must be free to
make choices, specifically, the choice to abandon the behaviors or
actions we are seeking to deter. A threat is most compelling when an
enemy cannot rationalize away the destruction, pain, suffering, and
chaos you are threatening to unleash if deterrence fails.
It needs to change as leaders (on either side) change.
-- No single method can determine how best to induce terror in the mind
of an adversary. Similarly, the personal characteristics of US leaders
will be variables that affect how, or whether, an adversary's leaders
are apt to believe the stated deterrent threat. Different leaders will
be motivated in different ways.
-- Examining how leaders in the past have reacted when faced with
deterrence choices is one of the best means of demonstrating its value
for the future. For example, Hitler possessed chemical weapons, and
certainly nothing in his value system contradicted their use against
Russian soldiers or civilians. Such use might well have salvaged a
losing campaign. But he knew
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:46 [#00601993]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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Such use might well have salvaged a losing campaign. But he knew that both Roosevelt and Churchill had
stated categorically that any use of chemical weapons by German armed
forces would be met with retaliation in kind, and that the retaliation
could well be directed against German industrial centers. Allied long-
range bomber forces were already conducting bombing raids on a scale
winch made credible the threat that the destruction would be greatly
escalated should chemical weapons be introduced. Fearing retaliation and
its consequences for the German war-supporting industries, Hitler did
not use chemical weapons.
-- In a similar vein, the warning by George Bush to Saddam Hussein, in
January of 1991 prior to Desert Storm, states that "the United States
will not tolerate the use of chemical or biological weapons and further:
"The American people would demand the strongest possible response. You
and your country will pay a terrible price if you order unconscionable
acts of this sort." In this case as well, such weapons were not used in
the ensuing conflict. Members of the UN Special Commission on Iraq, who
made inspections throughout that country after the war, speculated the
letter had been effective since everywhere they went individuals had
copies of the Bush letter, even though there was almost no other
document in common.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 7
UNCLASSIFIED
C. Keeping our options open and our determination clear
We must be ambiguous about details of our response (or preemption) if
what we value is threatened, but it must be clear that our actions would
have terrible consequences.
-- After the text of the Bush 1991 letter to Hussein was made public,
the press speculated whether the US would use nuclear weapons should
Iraq fail to heed the
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:47 [#00601997]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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-- After the text of the Bush 1991 letter to Hussein was made public,
the press speculated whether the US would use nuclear weapons should
Iraq fail to heed the warning. After the White House press spokesman had
too quickly discounted such possibilities, President Bush himself
appeared before the press (on Feb. 5,1991) to discuss the matter. When
asked whether if Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons the United States
might "in turn use weapons of mass destruction." he avoided a direct
reply but said, "I think it's better never to say what you may be
considering." He said he was "leaving the matter there" because he
wanted the Iraqi leader to "think very carefully" about launching a
chemical attack "because I would like to have every possible chance that
he decides not to do this."
-- Because of the value that comes from the ambiguity of what the US may
do to an adversary if the acts we seek to deter are carried out, it
hurts to portray ourselves as too fully rational and cool-headed. The
fact that some elements may appear to be potentially "out of control"
can be beneficial to creating and reinforcing fears and doubts thin the
minds of an adversary's decision makers. 'This essential sense of fear
is the working force of deterrence. That the US may become irrational
and vindictive if its vital interests are attacked should be part of the
national persona we project to all adversaries.
We should have available the full range of responses-conventional
weapons, special operations forces, and nuclear weapons-so that we can
decide which to use based on the circumstances.
-- Just as nuclear weapons are our most potent tool of deterrence,
nevertheless they are blunt weapons of destruction and thus are likely
always to be our weapons of last resort. Although we are not likely to use
them in less than matters of the greatest national importance, or in
less than extreme circumstances, nuclear weapons alway
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marlowe
from Antarctica on 2003-03-18 08:48 [#00602000]
Points: 24596 Status: Regular | Followup to go gadget: #00601870
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I don't take anything you say seriously, don't worry about it.
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:48 [#00602001]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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-- Just as nuclear weapons are our most potent tool of deterrence,
nevertheless they are blunt weapons of destruction and thus are likely
always to be our weapons of last resort. Although we are not likely to use
them in less than matters of the greatest national importance, or in
less than extreme circumstances, nuclear weapons always cast a shadow
over any crisis or conflict in which the US is engaged. Thus, deterrence
through the threat of use of nuclear weapons will continue to be our top
military strategy.
-- Unlike CW or BW, the extreme destruction from a nuclear explosion is
immediate, with few if any palliatives available to reduce its effects.
It is no wonder then that the use of nuclear weapons has become elevated
to the highest level of threat that is possible. The US has now eschewed
the use of either chemical or biological weapons and is seeking the
complete elimination of such weapons by all nations through the OWO and
BWC, but we would consider the complete elimination of our nuclear
weapons only in the contest of complete and general disarmament. Thus,
since we believe it is impossible to "uninvent' nuclear weapons or to
prevent the clandestine manufacture of some number of them, nuclear
weapons seem destined to be the centerpiece of US strategic deterrence
for the forseeable [sic] future.
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 8
UNCLASSIFIED
-- In the context of non-Russian states, the penalty for using Weapons
of Mass Destruction should not be just military defeat, but the threat
of even worse consequences. President Clinton's statement of July 11,
1994, about North Korea gave some of the flavor of these "other
consequences" when he said: '...it is pointless for them to develop
nuclear weapons. Because if they ever use them it would be t
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nacmat
on 2003-03-18 08:48 [#00602002]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker
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man I feel very few read that much
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:49 [#00602003]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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Because if they ever use them it would be the end of their country." Similarly, President Bush's statement to Saddam Hussein
on January 13, 1991, also telegraphed greater consequences: "You and
your country win pay a terrible price if you order unconscionable acts
of this sort (the use of chemical or biological weapons or terrorist
acts against the coalition nations]." Should we ever fail to deter such
an aggressor, we must make good on our deterrent statement in such a
convincing way that the message to others immediately discernible as to
bolster deterrence thereafter.
-- We should always attempt to respond to any such breaches of
deterrence in ways that minimize the numbers of civilian casualties.
Particularly when dealing with the less than nation-threatening
aggression which is likely to characterize WMD conflicts with other than
Russia, the US does not require the "ultimate deterrent"-that a nation's
citizens must pay with their lives for failure to stop their national
leaders from undertaking aggresssion. A capability to create a fear of
"national extinction" (as discussed above) by denying their leaders the
ability to project power thereafter, but without having to inflict
massive civilian casualties, will not only galvanize the deterrence
convictions of the US leadership, but will simultaneously help to
prevent misinterpretation on the part of the enemy as to whether the US
would be willing to act.
UNCLASSIFIED
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 08:51 [#00602008]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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so there you go. instability is a requirement of a policy of deterrence.
no surprise then, that george bush can't even pronounce 'nuclear'.
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TonyFish
from the realm of our dreams on 2003-03-18 10:00 [#00602152]
Points: 3349 Status: Lurker | Followup to George_Kaplan: #00602008
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Could you send a link man? I really want to read it but those long post do my head in! :)
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-18 10:16 [#00602182]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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really sorry bout the illegibility.. i dwnldd this ages ago.. lost the link.. try nautilus.org i think it may have been on there somewhere..
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promo
from United Kingdom on 2003-03-18 13:33 [#00602521]
Points: 4227 Status: Addict
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Yes thanks for that Georgey porgy pudding and pie, kissed the girls and made them puke.
Once this war is over we wont even hear a whisper out of people like you. Get off your lazy arse and try and do something decent for the World instead of constantly opposing those who are trying to do the right thing for mankind. You might find its like breathing oxygen for the first time when all along you've been breathing co2. Lol.
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TonyFish
from the realm of our dreams on 2003-03-18 16:25 [#00602780]
Points: 3349 Status: Lurker
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christ the agression here's almost thick enough to cut with a knife.
Chilll winston!
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George_Kaplan
on 2003-03-19 04:07 [#00603337]
Points: 838 Status: Regular
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i didnt write it i just posted it so you could read it you have no idea what i think so chill out, sweaty boy.
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nacmat
on 2003-03-19 05:02 [#00603425]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker | Followup to promo: #00602521
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THIS FUCKING WAR IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY
BUSH = FUCKING BASTARD
one crime cannot be solved with another one
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nacmat
on 2003-03-19 05:04 [#00603429]
Points: 31271 Status: Lurker | Followup to nacmat: #00603425
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USA = leave the rest of the world alone in peace, we dont need your wars nor your missils
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glass_eater
from a blind nerves area (Switzerland) on 2003-03-19 05:08 [#00603438]
Points: 4904 Status: Regular
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yeah yeah we all know but nobody has the balls to go kill the fucker :/ what for a world do we live in ? not even a real gangsta playa to prove he's the king of the hill by shooting georgie down...
da shame
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marlowe
from Antarctica on 2003-03-19 05:36 [#00603461]
Points: 24596 Status: Regular | Followup to nacmat: #00603425
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yes it can! by blowing up the white house and killing every oil company CEO and by executing every Republican senator and by pooping on the head of ronald reagan!
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fleetmouse
from Horny for Truth on 2003-03-19 06:18 [#00603538]
Points: 18042 Status: Lurker
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Fact is, the US does not go in and unseat cruel dictators just because they are Avenging Angels on the Side of the Light. The US gets along quite well with tyrants, creating, supplying and supporting them when it's in their interests to do so. Shah of Iran anyone?
This has not gone unnoticed in the middle east. The US military going into an Arab country for the second time in Georgie's term is not going to be interpreted as anything but pure assholism by "the arab street" even if Saddam is a bloodthirsty thug.
So while it may actually do Iraq some good in the short/long term to lose Saddam, and while it may be a relatively bloodless war, Saddam's troops seeming reluctant to fight a losing battle, the causes are dubious and the aftereffects dangerous.
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