The Lowdown on the Showdown

[Miss Marple]

Oh, I forgot. I should have remembered your position on this matter and not bothered to address you. Next time I will be wiser.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Got a link to where you predicted that the US, Spain, and GB would form a new alliance that would in some ways rival the UN?

[FreeReign]

While most are aware by now that President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will confer Sunday in the Azores, it seems just as many do not realize the weight of this meeting. This truly is a “war council”.

Yes I think ints a war council too.

BTW, is that you James?

[FreeReign]

While most are aware by now that President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar will confer Sunday in the Azores, it seems just as many do not realize the weight of this meeting. This truly is a “war council”.

Yes I think its a war council too.

BTW, is that you James?

[UnBlinkingEye]

Next time I will be wiser.

Famous last words of voters that thought the Republicans were different than Democrats. Sadly they are no more than two wings of the same corrupt party.

[Diddle E. Squat]

British troops are involved, as are Australia's, with support from Japan and Spain. Hardly coattail riding, nor is crossing the line drawn in the sand.

I imagine the Spanish and Brits would likely reply to your comments with a robust "France You!"

[FreeReign]

I applaud Sec. Powell's efforts to get the damn feckless U.N. to actually enforce their own resolutions (albeit our force must do the job), and the linkage to 687, with the clause of 'serious consequences' was, in my humble opinion, a masterful stroke! When Saddam ignored 1441, he abrogated the 687 cease-fire, thus stamping military action against him as legal and proper. In all, I'd say the mish-mash of international sheriffing has been quite successful, kind of like herding alligators and rattlesnakes, but the ones not with us have exposed their own butts for all the world to take note.

But I was told to think that Powell was acting as a rogue and I was told to that the president wanted permission from the U.N. and I was told it won't happen until 2004 and I was told that the March 17th date woould be broken and I was told that we want to make the UN stronger and blah, blah BS blah blibbity BS blah...........!!!!!!!!!!

[MHGinTN]

P. Bagala, your diaper is on too tight. Go back to DU and have them give you relief.

[UnBlinkingEye]

British troops are involved, as are Australia's, with support from Japan and Spain. Hardly coattail riding, nor is crossing the line drawn in the sand.

So if the United States were to decide not to go to war with Iraq, British, Spanish, Japanese and Australian troops would initiate a war with Iraq?

[deport]

FYI.....

[Principled]

It takes no valor for politicians to volunteer others to attack a nation that poses little or no threat to them or their constituents

Well, they actually volunteered themselves.

And when did you start thinking leaders would attack someone that posed no threat. That does not follow. Your argument is not cogent.

[UnBlinkingEye]

I don't think you read what I wrote. Isn't TN the state that brought us the estimable Mr. Gore?

[deport]

Sadly they are no more than two wings of the same corrupt party.

---

Like it or not that's what we have to deal with. Attempts by wannabes or 3rd parties just don't cut it as they are too far out of the mainstream of society. Now that may not fit your bill of fare but that's what we have...

[Polybius]

“Big 3” ?????

One big dog, a poodle and a chihuahua.

The "chihuahua" (my Spanish ancestors) waged continuous war with the Muslims from 711 A.D. until their final expulsion from Spain in 1492. In addition, they put an end to Muslim seapower in the Mediterranean at the Battle of Lepanto in 1572.

The old dog of "La Madre Patria" may no longer have the bite it once had but it is still reporting for duty when duty calls.

[Diddley]

Mark for later read.

[UnBlinkingEye]

Me: It takes no valor for politicians to volunteer others to attack a nation that poses little or no threat to them or their constituents

You: Well, they actually volunteered themselves.

You are kidding or crazy, which politician will lead the charge?

You: And when did you start thinking leaders would attack someone that posed no threat. That does not follow. Your argument is not cogent.

Did we attack Yugoslavia? Did we attack Grenada? Did Hitler attack Poland?

[Principled]

Volunteer armies actually volunteer. That's why they're called "Volunteer" armies.

And your argument is not cogent. It does not follow that one would initiate force without reason. You have thus far failed to demonstrate that reason.

[cyncooper]

Yes I think its a war council too.

On "Special Report" today, Tony Snow doing his usual Friday stint put his first question to the roundtable:

Tony Snow: "They say it's not a war council. Is it?"

Fred Barnes: "Of course it is".

And I will say that from where I'm sitting, there is no earthly reason for the United States, Britain, and Spain to gather in the Azores if the matter at hand is this resolution business. That was my first impression this morning, which has firmed up as the day has progressed.

[UnBlinkingEye]

I don't mean to insult your ancestors, but I do mean to dispute the characterization of the U.S., Spain and Britian as the "Big 3" of today.

[Travis McGee]

!VIVA ESPANA!