"It's All About Oil"

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Azazel
I cannot see any scenario under which Israel will use it's nukes in first strike, unless faced with total defeat in a conventional military conflict, or worse.

I could totally see Israel responding to an NBC attack with nukes. The U.S., Britain, and Russia all have the same policy; if even one NBC weapon is used then the enemy gets hit with the entire arsenal.

Why should Israel's policy be any different?

[Solly]

If we all thought like this we'd never resolve any conflicts "just in case nukes are used".

War involves risks Mike.

Originally posted by MikeH
Not really, from my perspective he's totally missing the point of what peoples objections to the war are.

I'd be happy for Saddam to be gone. I still have yet to be convinced that the war won't totally blow up the whole of the middle east into some huge nuclear escalation. (Iraq might not have nukes but Israel does).

Or have western troops stationed there permenantly. Like a giant Northern Ireland.

He's just focusing on the points that people focus on when they want to suggest that the people who disagree with them are cowards because it's easier than actually addressing the issues.

[MikeH]

Yep. And you weigh up the risks and decide whether the potential benefits are worth the risks or not.

At the moment you think it is, I think it isn't.

[Solly]

Only because you are a left-winger and criticise Blair and America whenever you can.

You have ulterior motives.

[MikeH]

Sorry you think that. I disagree or agree with each individual policy on it's own merits. Being a left winger means I often don't agree with Blair or the American government, that's true.

I have no interest in promoting my own views by unilaterally disagreeing with everything they do though. That would just make me look stupid. No government does absolutely everything 'right' or has policies that you agree with all of.

I could accuse you of taking the extreme right position on every issue because you had an ulterior motive but I'm sure you'd argue that wasn't the case and that you think about each issue on it's individual merits. Why should someone with a more socialist and liberal outlook than you be any different?

Incidently, what was my ulterior motive supposed to be?

[Solly]

"Incidently, what was my ulterior motive supposed to be?"

Criticising the actions of Blair and America/Bush whenever you can.

[MikeH]

That's not a motive, that's an action.

What's my motive for doing that?

[Solly]

That's your motive. Your action is being against Gulf War 2.

[MikeH]

How can that be a motive? It's an action. Being against Gulf War 2 is an opinion.

For instance, were I to stoop low enough to retaliate with the same kind of accussation I'd try and imply that you were doing the following.

Action, starting a series of extreme right wing threads posting outrageous positions as common sense.

Motive, to cause the greatest reaction possible amongst the posting population.

But that would be unreasonable. I have to assume that you really believe what you post and have come to that opinion by looking at the evidence presented to you. Otherwise it would just be trolling.

[MRT144]

boddington's, do you believe half of what you type?

[MikeH]

I hope he doesn't. Honestly. I don't know what would make me feel more sorry for him, knowing he did think that way or that he wanted people to believe he did.

Either way, very sad to see someone so young so bitter.

[SlowwHand]

Thank you, 3M !

Now that the Republican Administration has raised the "Threat Level", thank goodness we have a big business to supply our plastic & duct tape needs!

After all it takes 5+ minutes to cover a door or window with plastic [how many doors and windows do you have?], it takes a gas attack 20 seconds to kill you.

Buy plastic & duct tape, it will help the economy!

[DanS]

Sloww: Tyco and Shurrtape make duct tape. No 3M.

Everyone: Here's an excellent summary of the math for the cost-benefit wrt oil for the coming conflict. In short, it wouldn't make any sense at all to trade blood for oil in this situation. Gulf War I was all about oil, but this one isn't.

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1042491848625&p=1012571727092

[Lawrence of Arabia]

If we take over Iraq, we will deregulate their oil industry and set up our own corporations. These companies will not have to pay for 'rebuilding Iraq'