kmcguffee

LOL, are you as snobbish in real life as you appear on these boards? This could also be interpreted as calling soldiers the "dumb pawns of politicians". "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

I'm thinking that requires a very intellectual response................................................., yeah that ought to do it. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Never heard of any of those. I have to vote for SCOOBY DOO! "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

You have proof of this? "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Are you trying to dig on soldiers now? "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Maybe not, but he is the biggest threat that we are going to be able to deal with in a timely manner. As a government, Iraq by far. Rogue elements of Pakistan might do it but not supported by the government. Definitely Iraq again. China does not have a history of proliferation. Since Iraq produces very little military equipment in Iraq I would say "Made in USA". That does not mean that Iraq didn't provide the money or conduits to purchase the weapons. Iraq is more likely to provide intelligence, cover, fake documents, and logistical support to terrorists rather than direct weapons sales. It is harder to trace that type of support back to the government of Iraq. North Korea is well on their way to having nuclear weapons and ICBM's, and they are threatening attacks on the US*** But are the threats real or just rhetoric aimed at making some type of gain? We have to trust the people analyzing the intelligence for a living to make that determination. We (you and I) don't know even a small percentage of what is actually going on in that country. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

So you are basically saying that we have to let Iraq attack us before we can respond. A direct act of aggression is an attack. I'm willing to be the bad guy if that is how you define it. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

You also didn't see any evidence presented that UBL intended to fly two aircraft into the twin towers in New York and another into the Pentagon. Are you not going to believe that Iraq is a threat until a large number of people die from terrorists supported by him? Maybe the US government should let another attack happen regularly just to remind the American public what happened on 911. That way you can get your evidence on a regular basis. It seems that actually stopping the attacks before they happen might not be the best solution. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

I agree with you 100% on this. I think it has already been done but one more time won't hurt. I think I heard where the US and the UK were presenting a resolution shortly that will do just that. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Just an interesting fact but the percentage of US conscripts in the Vietnam War was actually lower than the percentage of conscripts in World War II. More people (percentage wise) volunteered for the Vietnam War than in WWII. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Your arguments are absolutely laughable. The average person tells the truth 90% of the time. That means they lie 10% of the time. Therefore, by your argument, we should not trust what anybody says without independent verification. Any independent verification is going to be from another human. Since all humans lie 10% of the time we're going to need independent verification of that also. Do you see where this is going? If you are truthful in your study of the US government you'll find that it tellls the truth more than the average person. The current administration is composed of almost entirely different people from the administration that has lied to you in the past. Yet, since they work for the same organization you consider them liars by association. It seems hilarious to me that you will believe Iraq before you will believe the US government. What history is this trust based on? And about the crazy comment. You are telling me that you don't trust anything the US government tells you without getting some outside agency to verify it? You have got to be kidding me. You need to get out of the classroom and experience the world. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

You know, in some circles, a US citizen who is a patriot to another country can be labeled a traitor if he acts on those beliefs. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Niiiiiice! I just volunteered at work to get the shot. They needed a response group able to interview small pox infected people in case of an attack. You are not making me feel good about the decision! "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

If you've never drank mead then please try it before you brew it. I brewed 5 gallons of a very expensive mead and just couldn't drink it all. It is good but 5 gallons is way too much. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

I'll answer the question for you if you can prove to me with facts (no speculation) that Bush joined the National Guard specifically to avoid going to Vietnam. I've served in the National Guard during war time. I didn't do it to avoid war. We need some evidence. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Be carefull with this statement. I'll guarantee you that I've studied more US military history than you. Sitting at a desk reading about war does not make your argument about the justness of a war anymore valid. There are a few people on here that think school learning can replace actual experience. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

It is a nice theory but the writer presents absolutely no proof. His facts do not directly support his conclusion. IOW........it might be true but this idiot didn't say anything to prove it. It is all circumstantial. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

OK, you didn't answer the question I asked. Let me simplify. Why are you (as a moderator) chastising Americans for criticizing other countries when you constantly criticize the US and allow Non-Americans to do the same? I'm not asking if it bothers you when people criticize the US and I never said it bothers me to hear others criticize the US. Understand the question? "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

It was Shark's statement not his. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Bill, you have been critic number one of the US since I've been on these forums. When Non-Americans criticize the US you are the first to agree with them. That has went on for quite a while and you've never corrected them for being mean. What is the deal? "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

The troops in Europe give us a forward staging base to enter countries in Europe and elsewhere quicker. If we had no forward presence then it would take a lot longer to initiate liaison, get the logisticians in place, get the infrastructure in place, etc. They are not necessarily there to "defend" anything but to allow the deployment of more troops from the US. We use the German and Italian bases to enter Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Kuwait, etc. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Skewed statistic. We don't need passports to go to the two closest countries (Canada and Mexico). That is not true for Australia. I've never compared prices but I find this hard to believe. Airfare from the US to the UK is almost twice as much as from the UK to the US. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Absolutely incorrect. A law making it illegal to fund international terrorism was enacted in the mid 1990's by the Clinton administration. It was done due to the first WTC bombing. It included 'the Irish cause'. Exactly right and I don't apologize one bit for it. Every other country is doing the same thing. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Well that might be true if it weren't for that constitution thingy. It says that he should. That's funny. Brits helped fund the WTC bombings in 1993 and the attacks on 9/11. We understand that it is only a minority. Maybe you should realize that also. "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin

Mike, you are killing me! Are you going on tour anytime soon? "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Ben Franklin