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#81 |
Banned
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#82 |
Self Employed
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Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." |
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#83 |
Penultimate Amazing
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#84 |
Self Employed
Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009
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I don't think anyone, outside of our resident "Everything Russia and their allies does is great" apologist, is shedding any tears for General Soleimani. Even liberal wheenie Schumer said as much just now.
That doesn't remove legit questions of the hows and ways of the operation. "Okay but he's a bad guy and now dead" isn't an retort to everything. |
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Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." |
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#85 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 7,286
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Gobble gobble |
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#86 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 24,619
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__________________
Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting. |
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#87 |
Self Employed
Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009
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That being said I do agree with Suburban Turkey and others that that Democrats being up in arms is rather eyebrow raising.
The "But da President has to ask Congress" ship has sailed, circumvented the glob, and returned laden with fine silk and exotic spices at this point. |
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Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." |
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#88 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 17,646
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I was thinking this too. This killing is far from the taking out an underground terrorist hiding in some lawless territory. It was an assassination of a high ranking general from one country openly and legally visiting another country to meet with contacts and politicians within that country. Apparently the assassination took place without the knowledge of the host country's (Irag's) government and at a busy civilian airport (many other people were placed at some level of risk by this strike, although I am relieved that most were spared due to the precision of the attack).
This is certain to further alienate Iraq from the USA and to drive them still closer to Iran. Amazing the USA has been so stupid as to allow this to happen given Iran and Iraq had been such bitter enemies for so long. It is also likely to re-solidify the Iran public's support behind their government (after the recent waves of dissent) and to further strengthen the power of the most militant members of the Iranian government. Suleimani may have been truly evil (although that characterization typically depends on whose side one is on). Eliminating him may be a significant blow to Iran's plans (although I've heard that said about the killing of almost every terrorist and yet typically other people soon take over). My point here is that it is an enormous escalation that appears to not have considered the political consequences. And terrorism is really about influencing politics and public opinion, not obtaining actual military dominance (which is not what terrorists seek in these asymmetrical warfare situations). I am now also curious: typically in the past government officials of almost all countries have found the concept of assassinating their enemy counterparts "distasteful" and have avoided it (with only a few exceptions; e.g. the CIA trying to poison Castro). Certainly not openly . I think the self-serving aspects of this are quite clear. But now is it open season? Are we about to see a wave of tit for tat killings of high end military, cabinet members, members of the legislatures, etc? Or will it continue to be just be us common citizens in the crosshairs (the innocents who have long been established targets for terrorists and considered as acceptable collateral damage in more organized military actions)? |
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#89 |
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#90 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Well, he was presented as 'expert on Iran', nothing more. I wouldn't put much into it.
But then, the general seems to be retired. For 10 years ? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_A._McChrystal |
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#91 |
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#92 |
Master Poster
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"As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28 |
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#93 |
Master Poster
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"As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28 |
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#94 |
Philosopher
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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage |
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#95 |
Master Poster
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"As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28 |
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#96 |
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#97 |
Graduate Poster
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Ben is sick ladies and gentlemen, thats right, Ben is sick. |
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#98 |
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#99 |
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#100 |
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#101 |
Philosopher
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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage |
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#102 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 31,399
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Trump retweeted
Jesse Kelly @JesseKellyDC If you’ve been to a VA hospital in recent years and seen a young man missing limbs, there’s a reasonable chance Qasem Soleimani is responsible for it. He’s unquestionably an enemy of America and I’m glad he’s dead and I’m bummed it was a quick death. Liz Wheeler @Liz_Wheeler Soleimani killed 603 American servicemembers. Soleimani maimed thousands more with IEDs. Soleimani approved the attack on the U.S. Embassy. He was plotting to kill more Americans. Yes he deserves to be dead. If you’re lamenting his death, you hate Trump more than a terrorist. |
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#103 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 4,859
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I'm afraid that we might start seeing a resurgence of the "golden age" terrorist tactics against Americans. But maybe hijackings and hostage takings would be too transparent this day and age.
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#104 |
Lackey
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I wish I knew how to quit you |
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#105 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 31,399
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Pompeo
Quote:
Quote:
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#106 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 31,399
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Seems we are already back in the Bush era where if you weren’t pro war you were anti America. It was stupid then and it's just as stupid now.
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#107 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 31,399
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Pompeo says the strike disrupted and 'imminent attack'
I wonder if it was going to happen within 45 minutes? |
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#108 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,924
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He was there legally, coordinating activities with the Iraqi militias - the ones recognized by the Iraqi government. As many as seven of them were killed in the attack. Again, whether we like it or not, these militias are recognized by that government, they operate legally there.
Quote:
This suggests that the Iraqi government had no problem with this guy, or with the protests. Our strike puts us in opposition to the government of Iraq. |
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#109 |
Graduate Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,106
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Here's an article from 2015 talking about the 2800 drone strikes authorized by Obama on Iraq and Syria without congressional approval. Hope this helps.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...rizing-islami/ |
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#110 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 31,399
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U.S. to send 3,000 troops to Middle East after embassy attack, Soleimani killing
Quote:
I thought Trump was bringing the troops home? |
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#111 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sacramento
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Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. |
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#112 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sacramento
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If I were still in the US Army, I would be very afraid serving under a COmmander in Chief like that. History shows.that is a recipe for military disaster. IMHO Qassam will not be missed....I have no sympathy for Iran's ambitions to bring back the Persian empire in the Mideast.....but Trump's action was ill considered, stupid, and served no real purpose. |
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Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. |
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#113 |
Philosopher
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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi Wollen owns the stage |
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#114 |
Illuminator
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#115 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 4,859
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I saw news about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing revenge but it displayed a picture of Ayatollah Khomeini who died 30 years ago.
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#116 |
Illuminator
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#117 |
Penultimate Amazing
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Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. |
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#118 |
Penultimate Amazing
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Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. |
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#119 |
Penultimate Amazing
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Location: Sacramento
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Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein. |
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#120 |
Penultimate Amazing
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