Originally posted by Wien_Sean:


About downsizing the military, it really is not that bad to rely on allies. Europe did so for centuries. It was the Concert of Europe that unified Europe, though against Post-Napoleonic France, militarily as well as politically. Even before, during Richelieu there was some idea of sharing military responsibility. European powers knew they could not sustain war unilaterally therefore the worked with allies in war and moreover to prevent war. The US should now realize that it can not wage war alone. Dismissing our allies will only lead to a weaker US. Kerry already has the support from Germany and I believe that will lead to more allies joining in the Iraq effort. I think the choice is clear.



Common...who bailed out Europe for the bulk of the 20th century?

Look, I am all for allies but let me ask you this. What kind of coverage is "oil for food" getting in Austia? Are you aware that captured Iraqi intel documents mention in the Deulfer report specifically mention that the French vote in the UN security counsil had been bought? Do you recall the Colin Powell statement 2 years ago..basically that France had assure their support THE DAY BEFORE THE INITAL VOTE. How about the 2.7 billion in Iraq oil perks afforded to key Russian politicains in the runnup. 2.5 billion for China, 1.8 billion for France. Several million to the UN undersecretary in charge of the program...all in Deulfer's report. And the French, Russian arms sales to Iraq up to DAYS before we invaded...high tech, night vision..body armor, hand held antiaircraft missiles. Insiders have said this the tip of the iceberg. Any of this getting air time over there? Do Europeans know this or just dismiss it point blank? And just say it is true...does BUSH deserve all the blame?

Some HERE have begun suggesting that had France not undermined the sanctions, that Sadam would have come clean to avoid invasion..that he was confident that we would not invade without the UN approval he controlled. Who knows?

France may have a LOT of blood on their hands over this...

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