how much force is too much. "to bomb or not to bomb that is the question"

[ClubMed]

That’s not exactly what I mean, let me clarify:

Regardless of whether it was good or bad, the invasion of Iraq was an unprovoked aggression. This was a breach of the UN charter, so in a purely legal sense the invasion was an illegal act of war.

By the same token, the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq was also a breach of the UN charter and hence an illegal act of war.

On the other hand, the military operations carried out against Iraq in response to the invasion of Kuwait were not illegal.

I mention illegal wars simply to show the hypocrisy. Countries like America and Britain, demand of the global community to respect the rule of law while they themselves ignore it and breach it.

Again, I am not talking about whether Americans think the war was great, or whether Europeans think it was crap. I am talking from a purely legal sense, taking into consideration the UN charter and UN treaties which Bush and Blair like to quote all the time in their speeches when they condemn ‘rogue’ nations for ignoring them.

Warthog,

Concerning your question as to why I don’t live in the Middle East. What are you trying to get at? Do you mean to say that dissenting voices should get out of Europe and America if they disagree with their governments?

Or did I ever say that the Middle East was a perfect place and that this is why you are asking me why I don’t live there?

I was born in Europe and so I live here. Does that mean I must be an automaton and agree with every single European interpretation of an event or issue? Should I be an automaton that thinks being patriotic means waving the flag and agreeing to everything the government says and does without using an ounce of my brain?

If however you ask why I don’t move to the Middle East and live there to help make things better, then that is a very good question. And the answer is that at this moment in time I realize that I cannot do anything. I haven’t finished my studies and if I were to move to the Middle East I would have no money and no profession. Also, if I were to move to the Middle East and try to use my intended profession as a lawyer to help make things better that would put me in an immediate clash with the regimes there, I would most probably be assassinated or put in prison without due process of law.

In light of this reality I can probably be of more use to my place of origin here in Europe, where I can help educate people who are willing to listen and can think for themselves by offering them alternative interpretations and showing them how the ‘other side’ views events and is affected by them.

Naturally automatons (not you Wart) aren't aware that there are other people beyond their borders who might disagree with their views.

[Warthog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsch1909

I think he means illegal in the fact that France excercised its vito when it was put forth to the security council but the UK and US still went ahead and went to war....what is the point in the security council if it is just going to be ignored!

Ok, I understand the perspective now.

Quote:

If however you ask why I don’t move to the Middle East and live there to help make things better

[MTAtech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckiechan

I don't know why everyone is so concerned about terrorist's rights, and the rights of those who provide safe harbor for him.

Wow Chuck, you sound like Howard Dean http://www.youtube.com/w/?v=UqatOWeVjVo