Hi Bob,

On Fri 2039-Jan-07 12:06, BOB KLAHN (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:


 RW> Indeed!  IT takes trained troops, it takes willpower, it
 RW> takes building of infrastructure, the things we're failing
 RW> to do in Afghanistan.

BK>  Don't forget, nationbuilding is not good. Nationbuilding is bad. 
BK> Nationbuilding is the work of Satan. We know that because right 
BK> wingers tell us so.

IT has its downside, I'd agree there, but something *must*
be done in that region, and the better thing to do is
provide the troops and resources necessary to do just that.
PEople who have a future that is other than bleak don't have as much
motivation to fight to the point of their own
destruction.

BK>  Best to just let them live in anarchy and grow hard and bitter  and
BK> hate filled... what can they do, we are protected by oceans,  aren't
BK> we?

That ocean isn't a whole lot of protection these days,
especially when we listen to folks moan and groan as they
bring them over here on student visas and whatever else.

 RW>> I'm still waiting to see that freedom for KUwait we fought
 RW>> for ya know.  LEt's either do it right, or bring the young
 RW>> men and women home.


 RW> FUnny but nobody has anything to say about that.

BK>  After Kuwait I was thinking, the next president should vow that  no
BK> American soldier would be sent to fight, and put his life on  the
BK> line, and maybe die, unless it's for democracy for the
BK>  country they are fighting for.

I've always hoped for that one.  iF that's not what we're
fighting for I don't want the young folks going there to
die, for *any* other reason.  NO other reason is worth it
imho.  But, now we have a situation where we must do just
that, because there  are a couple of failed states that
we've either two choices:  Nation building or annihilation.
Funny how we went in my little over half a century lifetime
from being a beacon of freedom and justice to the world to
being vilified and considered inept.  WHat happened to that
beacon for liberty and justice we herad about in our civics
lessons?  IT got snuffed out, and then sold as parts for cheap oil.

BK>  The Emir of Kuwait would not have been allowed to return by my 
BK> rules.

MIne either, but he did return.  Even then I was saying to
folks that they shouldn't confuse dying for oil with
fighting for freedom.


BK>>  Maybe just do some precision surgery of the Pakistan
BK>>  intelligence service.

 RW> There's a thought.  ISI essentially operates with autonomy.

BK>  Exactly my thought.

Appears they're gonna be running the show in the whole
country anyway.



 RW> this is true, but they'll continue to fail unless something
 RW> drastic is made to happen.  Had to pause while writing this
 RW> msg for the xyl to read me an article from this morning's
 RW> paper.  Seems the government over there is breaking up.
 RW> THe more moderates are bailing out of parliament and the
 RW> cabinet twould appear.

BK>  From what I have heard about that, the parties that are bailing 
BK> out are not planning to bring down the government. None of them 
BK> want to be responsible for bringing back the military rule. 

RIght, but the military will rule over there, and I'm not
sure which way that one will go yet.

BK>>  OTOH, we need to rein in India's nuke activities also. Damn so
BK>> much we need to do.

RIght, but isn't some of India's nuke activity power
generation related as well?

 RW> Right, and the way to rein in INdia's nuclear ambition is
 RW> to deal with the failed state which is their neighbor.

BK>  I suspect India would still want to be the dominant power so  they
BK> would keep the nukes. They all need to be under world
BK>  pressure.
Probably, but if I had to make a choice I'd just as soon
INdia have the whip hand.

Regards,
           Richard
--- timEd 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin:  (1:116/901)