tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post5218724826655336442..comments2024-03-28T06:32:24.557-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: Forget the democracy part, this is strictly business.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-88015335752578477682007-02-07T02:15:00.000-05:002007-02-07T02:15:00.000-05:00Bob, I do not think Iran having a nuclear weapon i...Bob, I do not think Iran having a nuclear weapon is a good thing. I think it is a catastrophic thing. I feel the same way about North Korea and Pakistan. The relevant question are what should be done to discourage them from getting them and what to do if they make the choice?<br /><br />My biases are based on my experience. Having spent some significant time in the USAF and having specialized in the detection, surveillance and analysis of Soviet nuclear missile capabilities and intent, I developed what I believe to be reasonable levels of expectations on the doable. The US and her allies contained the Soviet and then Chinese nuclear threat. I remember being on duty the night the Chinese set off a nuclear test at Lop Nor. Our detection capabilities misinterpreted this event as a multiple missile launch of an indeterminate number. Common sense and good analysis prevailed, and in short time the error was noticed and a disaster averted.<br /><br /> Technology changes as do threats but human behavior does not. There was never any assurance that it would be possible to overwhelm the Soviets with a preemptive nuclear exchange. There were some who thought it could be done at an acceptable cost. They were from the existentialist school. There are those today that still adhere to the same thinking mainly as it applies to Israel and Iran. It is technically possible for the US or Israel to remove or reduce Iranian nuclear capabilities. It would be a tactical success and a strategic disaster. For the cost of 19 dead, AQ caused the US one trillion dollars in damage, killed three thousand plus, plus, plus.<br /><br />I respect the ingenuity and determination of my enemies. Attacking Iran would strengthen the jihad, not weaken it. Air warfare is remarkably inefficient as a strategic weapon. It was used to get Saddam and it failed. It was used to get bin laden and to date, no one knows. It was used in Serbia and we hit the Chinese embassy. It never stopped the North Vietnamese from achieving their strategic goal of controlling all of Viet Nam. <br /><br />Air warfare comes with huge diplomatic and political liabilities. It has a use and is an awesome deterrent, but it is an augmentation to warfare. The US does not have the political sustainable ambition and the endurance and necessity to destroy Iran. It has the technical ability, but it will not use it, no more than we did in Viet Nam or Iraq. Viet Nam and Iraq did not make the US look stronger or smarter. Iran would be no different.<br /><br />Iran is no existential threat to anyone except Iran. Recent military events for Israel and the US should be enough to chasten some of the firebrands in both governments.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-36014887494481462182007-02-06T21:23:00.000-05:002007-02-06T21:23:00.000-05:00Esteemed commenters at the Bar,
You all rock, as ...Esteemed commenters at the Bar,<br /><br />You all rock, as always! I have been absent of late, but I have been working really long hours getting ready to head out.<br /><br />Productivity over at <a href="http://wilsonizer.blogspot.com">my blog</a> has been sporadic and slightly less refined over the past few weeks, but I continue to lurk here, there and everywhere! <br /><br />I remain the contrarian, minority optimist here in the Elephant Bar commentary section, it would seem.<br /><br />I am not ready to throw in the towel and start saying things like "After Iraq collapses we will then be forced to. . ." because I still do not believe that utter failure is a foregone conclusion.<br /><br />I am curious to see what impact General Petraeus has on the Iraq equation, and I recognize that any policy or activity changes will not <br />impact the system over night.<br /><br />Darting to another subject, Deuce, don't you think that Iran's possession of nuclear weapon technology represents, at the bare minimum, a cumulative threat increase to the United States??<br /><br />The more nations (especially "rogue" type nations) that possess nuclear technology, the greater the chance of this technology landing in the hands of an individual/organization intent on disrupting the world order, as it were?<br /><br />Another glass of wine, then bed for me, I think!Bob W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00529680016749296360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14094577691586867842007-02-06T17:00:00.000-05:002007-02-06T17:00:00.000-05:00Ahmadinejad is very vulnerable to European sanctio...Ahmadinejad is very vulnerable to European sanctions. The Europeans did not take Putin seriously until he started playing with their natural gas supply. <br />Ahmadinejad with nuclear weapons will lose domestic support and then feel European sanctions. (The US cannot apply much more sanctions than they have.) <br /><br />The money people in Iran are not going to see some mad man get them all killed. The assholes who blow themselves up as suicide bombers are just that, expendable assholes. They are not company owners and politicians. They may get the the flunkies to go out in flesh chips to get virgins, but they will hedge their bets and get what is to be had on good old terrra firma.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38204517284562112282007-02-06T15:53:00.000-05:002007-02-06T15:53:00.000-05:00He would be no real danger to the US. His danger w...He would be no real danger to the US. His danger would be to the creation of an arms race within the region. Saudi Arabia could buy all the technology necessary to match and beat the Iranians. Politically it is a European and Israeli problem.<br /><br />It could be resolved for Israel by Israel becoming a Nato member.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-22990235580124632007-02-06T15:27:00.000-05:002007-02-06T15:27:00.000-05:00trish, people are threatened by free thinking. The...trish, people are threatened by free thinking. They need hooey, big-ass crock pots full of the stuff.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-15315657511790116622007-02-06T13:48:00.000-05:002007-02-06T13:48:00.000-05:00Rudy gave a great answer to the Abortion issue las...Rudy gave a great answer to the Abortion issue last nite on Hannity.<br />Best part is you could tell he was telling the TRUTH about who is/has been.<br />Says Roberts and Alito are just the type of judges he would appoint.<br />DID as Mayor of NYC for over 100 judges.<br />Prager now getting a bunch of Pro-Life radicals that talk as tho they would let Hillary become president.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-36237058771872142922007-02-06T13:44:00.000-05:002007-02-06T13:44:00.000-05:00IOW, Lugh, the present population would not have e...IOW, Lugh, the present population would not have elected the liar Bush had he given his true (illegal) stand on illegals.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-40494174554874553772007-02-06T13:43:00.000-05:002007-02-06T13:43:00.000-05:00Rufus,
You think the 30% of illegals that are care...Rufus,<br />You think the 30% of illegals that are career crimminals (or some terrorist sleepers) is not a problem?<br />Nor the bankrupting of our justice, health, safety, and welfare systems, long before global climate change has any real effect?<br />...or was that hopefully just a joke?<br />Wuss or not, the majority of Americans do not support lawbreaking politicians that choose to give away the people's money and security.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-73353252966895995722007-02-06T12:57:00.000-05:002007-02-06T12:57:00.000-05:00DR,
In 1980, Reagan was elected by the generation...DR,<br /><br />In 1980, Reagan was elected by the generation that grew up during the Great Depression and fought WW2. They knew tyranny firsthand and would, at least, stand up against it. Defeat was not an option.<br /><br />In 2000, GW was elected by the boomer generation living a life of relative luxury and torn by their Vietnam legacy. The words victory and defeat had no meaning.<br /><br />These two generations are very different critters. And their Presidents reflect those differences. <br /><br />I think this generation doesn't believe that America's existence is threatened and that defeat is a meaningless word. This generation is only interested in their big house, new cars and 52 inch HDTV. <br /><br />A nation gets the leaders it elects, and ours have reflected the electorate's desire for stability at any cost for the past 18 years.<br /><br />So when ya say GW is a wuss, IMO you're really sayin that the American people are wusses.lugh lampfhotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663408598796532482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-5131170431214822962007-02-06T11:25:00.000-05:002007-02-06T11:25:00.000-05:00Nice little "tico" houses from $25,000 USD in Golf...Nice little "tico" houses from $25,000 USD in Golfito, CR. Never snows nor even gets cold.<br /><br />Any US stipend, say Social Security check, will secure easy livin' in a vida pura culture.<br />Same can be said for Panama, though the native folk are a bit surlier.<br /><br />The majority of the migrants flowing to the US are economic refugees. Whether from Mexico, Venezuela or Columbia, even Cuba.<br /><br />But for a culture to live in, semi-independent of the local economy, Latin America can be quite enjoyable. <br />Then again, I've always have been a contra, at heartdesert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-37948930666058629062007-02-06T10:49:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:49:00.000-05:00"to promote their cause."
Ethnic hatred in the cas..."to promote their cause."<br />Ethnic hatred in the case of insurgents, desired for security by the Shia majority.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-33574052957845945292007-02-06T10:45:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:45:00.000-05:00W once wrote a thread about keeping your credibili...W once wrote a thread about keeping your credibility by not becoming just a cheerleader, nor on the other hand joining the MSM Chorus of defeatism.<br />---<br />Long since lost something from me when he repeatledly grasped at meaningless straws over the last two years like projecting declines in US Deaths, (while at the same time ignoring that the insurgents et al were changing strategy to the present EFFECTIVE one of slaughtering Iraqis to promote.)<br />Never has just said<br /><br />'I was wrong,'<br /><br />It really ain't that hard,<br />If you're willing.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14004574364962983692007-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:35:00.000-05:00An interesting back and forth at the BC, it goes o...An interesting back and forth at the BC, it goes on over a thread or two, but good old "reocon" asks a most pertinent extistental question<br /><br /><i>"... Or better yet, let's spend billions and a couple thousand more lives of our sons and daughters to prop up Jamal Jafaar Mohammed's cohorts in the Iraqi government! Surely we can convince such "moderates" like the former head of Da'wa's Jihad office in Damascus, Nuri al-Maliki, too give up their authoratarian, clerical ways, their ties to Iran and Hezbollah and come over to the side of reason. Isn't that what the "Surge" is all about? Isn't that what this fiasco has devolved into?<br />For those of you who are a bit slow, that what's been happening since 2005, when the Shiite Islamists won their purple-fingered victory. Wretchard's dead right here, to defend the propping up of this vile Iraqi/Iranian gov't is defend appeasement. Buddy, Wu Wei, care to have a crack at it? <br />2/06/2007 06:12:00 AM </i><br /><br />So far there is no response.<br /><br />It seems to me that if Mr Maliki is the "chosen one" then he is. If we can start to hand off in June, that could pass for success. If not the trend lines to slow failure will, as Mr Bush noted, accelerate.<br /><br />Or we have to kill 'em all, <br />then let allah sort it outdesert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20124888530484155152007-02-06T10:23:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:23:00.000-05:00That is one way to look at it, the President as in...That is one way to look at it, the President as ineffectual, no matter the man selected.<br /><br />Such was the lament during the Carter Administration, a job to big for any man, that whine faded during Reagan's term. <br /><br />I have read others that have also compared Mr Bush to Mr Carter, both swept along by events and prolonged indecision. The scale of their military failures different, but a similar cause at the core.desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-88067876618149315792007-02-06T10:22:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:22:00.000-05:00"It seems that those muslims that reject tribalism..."<i>It seems that those muslims that reject tribalism aren't prepared to make the sacrifices to overcome their history. So they get the governance by genocide that they deserve.</i>"<br />---<br />Being rational actors, the majority of Iraqis gave up relying on the USA as represented by Shrub and Jr Shrub after being abandoned countless times by the New England Hoity Toiters/"Conservatives"<br />---<br />Wuss gave Sadr life,<br />Sadr gives Iraqi's Security.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-36141293893328636492007-02-06T10:16:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:16:00.000-05:00Even todays degraded populace, on the whole, respo...Even todays degraded populace, on the whole, responds to LEADERSHIP, and is passionate about WINNING.<br />Wuss in Chief threw that all away.<br />No amount of 'splain'n at the BC can deny that reality.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-8602043656478665142007-02-06T10:14:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:14:00.000-05:00A Wuss is a Wuss.
Pathetic pretender to be POTUS.
...A Wuss is a Wuss.<br />Pathetic pretender to be POTUS.<br />Jmo.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-29832221120190383902007-02-06T10:06:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:06:00.000-05:00I think ya'll are too tough on GW. The President m...I think ya'll are too tough on GW. The President must represent ALL Americans with their diverse agendas and opinions. He is not a king. He can try to lead but the herd usually has different ideas. And even the boldest policy becomes watered down when various bureaucracies work out the details. We get policies that reflect a bell shaped curve of popular opinion.<br /><br />Are muslims capable of modern civil society? Can they influence their youth to reject tribalism? We had to at least try to find out. It was worth a try after taking down two dangerous tribal regimes.<br /><br />It seems that those muslims that reject tribalism aren't prepared to make the sacrifices to overcome their history. So they get the governance by genocide that they deserve.<br /><br />So, one more chance, then we pull the plug and revert to looking out for our self-interests. <br /><br />The muslim record is not encouraging and I expect the tribal model to continue. Soon we will have to decide the path forward. We can isolate/contain the islamic virus, eradicate it or revert to the pre 911 model and suffer the death by a thousand cuts.<br /><br />The open democracy that we seem to have embraced suggests the third approach until nuclear attack/blackmail forces us to ponder eradication or surrender.<br /><br />GW is just the rider, the American people are driving the train.lugh lampfhotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663408598796532482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-81063650644817279912007-02-06T10:01:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:01:00.000-05:00Private Foreign Policy?
westhawk's latest offerin...<a href="http://westhawk.blogspot.com/2007/02/rise-of-private-foreign-policy.html">Private Foreign Policy?</a><br /><br /><b>westhawk</b>'s latest offering, and a pretty good one too.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17688001023588334672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-21371633475002197542007-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:002007-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00General Democrat Won
1965 Democrat Won
1967 De...General Democrat Won <br />1965 Democrat Won <br />1967 Democrat Won <br />1968 Democrat Won <br />1972 Democrat Won <br />1974 Governor of Hawaii Primary Democrat Lost to George R. Ariyoshi (D) <br />1976 Democrat Won <br />1978 Governor of Hawaii Primary Democrat Lost to George R. Ariyoshi (D) <br />1980 Mayor of Honolulu Primary Democrat Lost to Eileen Anderson (D) <br />1982 Governor of Hawaii General Independent Democrat Lost to George R. Ariyoshi (D) <br />1984 Mayor of Honolulu General Republican Won <br />1988 Mayor of Honolulu General Republican Won <br />1992 Mayor of Honolulu General Republican Won <br />1994 Governor of Hawaii General Best Lost to Benjamin J. Cayetano (D) <br />1996 Mayor of Honolulu General Nonpartisan Lost to Jeremy Harris (N-P) <br />2000 Mayor of Honolulu General Nonpartisan Lost to Jeremy Harris (N-P) <br />2003 Congress 2nd District Special Nonpartisan Lost to Ed Case (D) <br />2004 Mayor of Honolulu General Nonpartisan <br />---<br />Frank's political affiliation as the Democrat Party went to Hell.<br />...and now the GOP has followed.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38549832174759305682007-02-06T09:48:00.000-05:002007-02-06T09:48:00.000-05:00Frank Fasi
Frank Francis Fasi (born August 27, 19...<a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/frank-fasi">Frank Fasi</a><br /><br />Frank Francis Fasi (born August 27, 1920) is a United States politician having the distinction as the longest serving Mayor of Honolulu in Honolulu, Hawaii. He also served as territorial senator and member of the Honolulu City Council. A perennial candidate for Hawaiian offices, Fasi is popularly credited for having built the foundations on which Honolulu now thrives as one of the largest modern municipalities in the nation.<br /><br />Early years<br />Fasi was born on 27 August 1920 in Hartford, Connecticut, where he eventually attended Trinity College. Following the Japanese attack on Honolulu on 7 December 1941, Fasi enlisted in the United States Marine Corps through which he served in the Pacific Theater. After ending his tour of duty in 1944, Fasi settled in Honolulu where he became an entrepreneur, opening his own contracting, building demolition and salvage company.<br /><br />http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=frank+fasiDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-20717272954633036172007-02-06T09:42:00.000-05:002007-02-06T09:42:00.000-05:00Honolulu had a Mayor for many terms, name of "Fasi...Honolulu had a Mayor for many terms, name of "Fasi"<br />(or Fazzi)<br />He made the Buses run on time and knew his way around the Garbage Companies, et al, being of NYC Italian immigrant heritage.<br />Has 13 kids, I think, only one went bad, Jr on drugs.\<br />...was known for having Billboards across Oahu proclaiming this or that was a result of the great Mayor!<br />...beats having a pathetic Wuss in Charge!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-45058673394739253912007-02-06T09:37:00.000-05:002007-02-06T09:37:00.000-05:00Rudy prosecuted Mafia prior to, unlike Fitzfong wh...Rudy prosecuted Mafia prior to, unlike Fitzfong who still continues to pursue Libby et al, while Clinton Criminals who gave everything away go on to higher stations.<br />...and sabotage from within.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-47149763783699851832007-02-06T09:35:00.000-05:002007-02-06T09:35:00.000-05:00Verily, tho I walk through the Valley of Death,
I ...Verily, tho I walk through the Valley of Death,<br />I am the meanest Mother Fucker in the Valley!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-68212207759601519212007-02-06T09:22:00.000-05:002007-02-06T09:22:00.000-05:00It took Bush some time to compose himself when not...It took Bush some time to compose himself when notified about 911. He looked to me as if he needed some astronautical underwear. Guliani is no boy scout. He likes the ladies, is bald and is a tough New York kinda guy. He does not fit the touchy feely bullshit that we usually get handed by our masters.<br /><br />He knows how to walk the walk and did so on Broadway without the benefit of astronautical underwear. I've said it before he is a tough son of a bitch , but best of all he is our son of a bitch. If we have to march into Hell, we may as well do it with someone who has the stones to smile, lean into a guy's ear and whisper that he is a no good cocksucker.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.com