[LottiFurmann]

Originally posted by Alfred
Olivier; I would like to ask you a serious question.

It is Sept 11, 2001. 13 parasites from Saudia Arabia fly 4 airplanes into 1) La Defense 2) French government buildings, and whatever is the equivalent to the World Trade Center in France.

On top of that lets assume that Iran is supplying and training terrorists to kill French.

On top of that lets assume that Iraq hates you and tries to kill your President.

Let's assume that both Iran and Iraq, who tell the world that they are the sworn enemy of France, are building nukes.

Let's assume that both Iraq and Iran have thousands who are willing to die to kill anything French.

Now, be nice and just assume the above to be true.

What would France have done? Be honest. Sell them arms and explosives.

[Slonopotam845]

Originally posted by David_in_NYC
Reagan died just weeks ago and already, according to Olivier, he never existed! Reagan was far more conservative and religiously-oriented than Bush. Bush is NOT a conservative, not even close. At most he's slightly to the right of center, but only very slightly. If you want to see a real far-right US President, check out Thomas Jefferson... he would be considered the very edge of the most far-right fringe by today's standards.
That's an interesting point of view; huge on state's rights yet big on expansionism. He also carried on his administration virtually w/o Congress' support or knowledge and he often lost major battles in the Supreme Court against John Marshall and the Federalists.

Of course Thom was also an atheist, mysogynist, slaveholder who fathered children by his dead wife's half sister who was also his quadroon slave.

So on balance it's hard to pin down Thom. Consummate politician, pragmatist, inventor, genius, dyslexic, author, non religious advocate of unlimited religious freedom, deeply flawed, landed gentry aristocratic man of the people.

[radikal]

Originally posted by Olivier
I guess you know my opinion on that: it's not a problem of being better. It's just that you cannot be worst than Bush That's an over-simplification.

Considering the enormous magnitude of Muslim terrorism, and the extreme primitive nature of Iraqi society, Bush has been facing bigger challenges than he expected apparently.

I understand that many Europeans hate Bush because he demonstrated to the world that Europe is not as important as Europeans would like to be.

Plus, Bush is also a Conservative, whereas Europe is falling more and more to the radical Left.

But in the end, you should know that after coming out of a recession, Americans will vote based on the economy to a great extent.

Where is the bush/kerry difference on Iraq? If Bush gets a UN resolution recognizing the new Iraqi government, in effect, there will be very little difference between the candidates.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Originally posted by David_in_NYC
Bush is NOT a conservative, not even close. At most he's slightly to the right of center, but only very slightly.
It all depends on the observer, I believe. No European would claim such a thing with a serious face. Thing is, left-wing/right-wing are no universal terms. Right-wing in Holland is left-wing in America. Bush is perceived as very right-wing in Europe. I share that opinion.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Originally posted by NewsGuy
That's an over-simplification. mm what if I told you i'm really laughing reading you say that I do get sometimes the feeling you are "over-simplifying" the reality of europe.



Originally posted by NewsGuy
Considering the enormous magnitude of Muslim terrorism, and the extreme primitive nature of Iraqi society, Bush has been facing bigger challenges than he expected apparently. Ok now say it : "Bush has been a fool and I knew it". Anyone with ten grams of brain cells and basic knowledge of israel/palestine knew it.

the problem is probably you were taken by the "fight terrorism, support the troops" effects. But Bush is a damm nut. You got any idea what pictures of the war you're going to find in history manuals? Got any idea of the impact?



Originally posted by NewsGuy
I understand that many Europeans hate Bush because he demonstrated to the world that Europe is not as important as Europeans would like to be. sure but the true thing is not that europe "is not that important", the problem is that europe "is not that important to the US". I see a rift opening now and allow me to say you are a fool if you think it is any good.



Originally posted by NewsGuy
Plus, Bush is also a Conservative, whereas Europe is falling more and more to the radical Left. europe is not more left than before. But Bush is far more right that any american president before. Ultra-conservative, religiously illuminated.. whatever.

[brraverishhh]

It's hard to believe that Kerry, who never fought terrorism in his life, is though of as being better on this topic than Bush.

Yes, it's true that Americans are divided on the benefit of going to war on Iraq, especially when the real centers of global terrorism like Iran and Syria are being left alone.

But when it comes down to the elections, Americans will vote along party lines.