Rumsfeld Praises Austria in Senate!

[Ted Striker]

Gotta keep those mad cows from reaching the US somehow.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Demerzel
heh violating WTO rules hasn't been a problem for the US recently

Everything has been done according to the WTO's rulings. Unlike the EU in the banana dispute.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Oerdin
Not to be nationalistic or anything but I bet we could tank your economy before you could tank ours. BTW a nationally organized embargo would violate WTO rules.

I think mutual boycotts beteen Austria and the US would have nearly no impact on both economies, since Austria deals disproportionately with the EU, and is unsignificant in US exports or imports You'd need much time and many allies to tank one of these two economies.

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by Oerdin
Not to be nationalistic or anything but I bet we could tank your economy before you could tank ours. BTW a nationally organized embargo would violate WTO rules.

An embargo, but not a boycott. Another good thought would be sending the US ambassador packing.

[Ted Striker]

If you tank the American economy you tank the world economy.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Oerdin
In Ted's defense: As opposed to another arrogant and self-opinated European?

I think Ted's "you Europeans get the **** out of the way" has been an unmatched feat of arrogance thus far.

[Ted Striker]

Thank you, thank you.

[Comrade Tribune]

Originally posted by Spiffor
You'd need much time and many allies to tank one of these two economies.

You are right. It´s really more about a diplomatic punch on the nose. More we can´t achieve, realistically. But at least we would catch up with the Belgians, French and Germans.

[Ted Striker]

But seriously, Europeans, move the **** out of the way so we can take care of business and we can move onto the next thing you want to whine about us doing or not doing.

EDIT: Actually, you're not really in the way in the first place because we'll take care of this whether or not you want to.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Ted Striker
EDIT: Actually, you're not really in the way in the first place because we'll take care of this whether or not you want to.

Why do you whine so much then ?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Absolutely not. Chirac has been lying from the beginning, as he is used to, and he will join the US as soon as the war starts.

That's what I thought. Just wanted some confirmation. Thank you for the info.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by DetroitDave
Please. There are many reasons for opposing the war above and beyond any sympathies for Hussein.

We can't keep enough cops and firemen on the streets for the real brunt work of homeland security, states have huge deficits, and no program is safe from cuts.

But, suddenly we have 100s of billions to bomb and rebuild Iraq?

Dave: You seriously need to read the post your responding before you start typing. Go back and check the section you quoted this time pay careful attention to words like "intent" and "real world consiquences".

[Ted Striker]

This reminds me of that scene in the Mummy when Brenden Frasier and the Egyptian guy are trying to clear a tunnel full of heavy boulders. Behind them the funny English guy (who isn't doing ANY damn work) stands there and starts barking orders.

"Take the heavy ones from the top!"

"Put your back into it!"

Finally the 2 guys shoot him a dirty glance and he shuts up.

[Spiffor]

DD:
This is only MHO. My friends are thinking he might have some balls this time. However, there are several hints that France will back an attack eventually :
- France is not opposed to war on principle (unlike Germany), but thinks all diplomatic options have not been exhausted. Translation : we'll go to war too, when it fits our calendar.
- France has sent the Charles de Gaulle in easetern Meditarranean, enough said.
- French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin saluted Powell's performance politely.
- The diplomatic storm has abated, so I suppose all the diplomats are currently discussing on the way to solve the diplomatic crisi with nobody nosing his face (except bombed Iraqis of course, but who cares ?)

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Spiffor
I think mutual boycotts beteen Austria and the US would have nearly no impact on both economies, since Austria deals disproportionately with the EU, and is unsignificant in US exports or imports You'd need much time and many allies to tank one of these two economies.

Spiffor: You're right the volume of trade between the two countries in question is quite small but there are a number of very effective way which 3rd party states can be encouraged to comply with the embargo. Have you ever heard of the Helms-Burton act? It is more then a little unfair but it does an excellent job of keeping the embargo on Cuba going. How does it do this?

It forces companies to make a choice. You can either do business in the U.S. or you can do business in Cuba but not both. That's right. If BMW wants to sell cars in Cuba then it can but it will have to give up selling cars in the U.S.. Like I said, it is unfair but since the U.S. is the largest market in the world virtually everyone decides to skip over Cuba.