"charlieb" wrote in message
...

Do you actually believe that someone who intentionally
flys a plane in to a tall office building full of people is
at all concerned about what an "invincable" was going to
do to them in retaliation?



Not after they hit the building. But, in answer to your question, yes I
certainly do believe there is a relationship between how a country is
perceived and the actions that others may take against it. I don't believe
that's the only reason for events like 911, but I certainly believe that is
a part of it.

If fear of retaliation deters what we're facing now, let's
look at Isreal's response to the '72 Munich Olympics
Terrorist Massacre. Mossad hunted down and killed
every one directly involved - and that took 20 years.
Is Isreal safer today than they were in 1972?


Good counter-point. Where I think that point loses some of its potency
though is in the fact that these two cultures have been at each other for
eons, with deeply routed philosophical and ideological warfare at the root
of it all. That said, I also believe that Isreal's willingness to strke
with force into the heart of any threat, does indeed curb behaviors of the
radicals that would otherwise enjoy the annialation of Isreal.

Where to begin with the rest of your response to the
original question - what is your definition of "success"
in terms of either of the two current wars we're in?

I guess I might leave the offering for that definition on the table for you
to suggest. I most certainly do not see the capture and elimination of
Saddam Hussein as a success. Nor do I see the successful evasion of Bin
Laden as a marker of success. Nor, the re-entrance into Afghanistan. Nor
the overwhelming peace and security that Iraq enjoys today.


Viet Nam was the result of fear of "communism" taking
precidents over history and facts.

Snip a bunch of stuff that was quite true, but not terribly relevant...
We still got our asses handed to us.


As for "the feminization of our country and our culture"
you do realize that half or so of the world's population
are females?

Sure - and I find myself enjoying that fact from time to time...


In a world of established nations Might Makes Right
was true. The world has changed, and if we don't
deal with the world as it is then we better get better
at defining "success" before we we commit our
sons AND daughters, and our treasures to throwing
our weight around, thumping our chest and growling
"don't mess with us!".

I do not at all disagree with this statement. I'm no advocate of throwing
our weight around. I am an advocate of being the big asshole on the block
that nobody dares to screw with though.

--

-Mike-