"I'd like our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the U.N."

[American]

"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185)

[Suddenly]

Originally posted by American
"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185)

Heck, I'd like to see them not dispersed at all.


If they have to be, I'd like to see it done within the U.N., as idiot cowboys nonwithstanding, the world is bigger than Texas and having most of it on our side is helpful.

If that falls through, roll the tanks through Melbourne if necessary.


What's the problem?

[Zep]

Originally posted by American
"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185) Heh. If he were president, what he might LIKE to do and what he might NEED to do may be completely different things. So I note he has left that option open. But at least (assuming he remains true to this sentiment) he would try to get other people onside FIRST, not LAST like the current team-o-thickhead-bullies.

[Michael Redman]

So? That was 34 years ago, when he was in college. Criticizing Kerry for that statement is less fair than calling Bush a coke-snorting, womanizing drunk, something Bush was until much later in life. Kerry certainly doesn't advocate that now.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by Suddenly


Heck, I'd like to see them not dispersed at all.


If they have to be, I'd like to see it done within the U.N., as idiot cowboys nonwithstanding, the world is bigger than Texas and having most of it on our side is helpful.

If that falls through, roll the tanks through Melbourne if necessary.


What's the problem?

Yeah! What's the problem? The U.S. Army has already changed from billed caps to berets. All they'd have to do to complete the change is change the color of the beret to sky blue... :rolleyes:

What's the big deal? It's only our sovereignty...

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by Zep
But at least (assuming he remains true to this sentiment) he would try to get other people onside FIRST, not LAST like the current team-o-thickhead-bullies.

That's an amazing case of selective memory you have there!!

Have you forgotten the 6-month-long negotiations where Bush and Blair tried to get the UN and member nations on board? Except for Russia, France, and Germany, they succeeded in getting, what...about two dozen nations on board?

It isn't the U.S.'s fault the UN refused to enforce it's own resolutions.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by Michael Redman
Kerry certainly doesn't advocate that now.

Do you know that for a fact, or are you instead just giving him the benefit of the doubt?

[corplinx]

This is ancient history...... I guess its fair game since the Bush AWOL thing has come back up though.

[Michael Redman]

Originally posted by Kodiak
Do you know that for a fact, or are you instead just giving him the benefit of the doubt? Yes, I know for relative certainty that he doesn't advocate that position. I don't know, of course, what he believes, but if I judge the man's actions and words, as far as I know them, since shortly after the time of that isolated statement, I have no reason to doubt his belief in the need for US sovereignty.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by Michael Redman
Yes, I know for relative certainty that he doesn't advocate that position. I don't know, of course, what he believes, but if I judge the man's actions and words, as far as I know them, since shortly after the time of that isolated statement, I have no reason to doubt his belief in the need for US sovereignty.

I hope you're right, especially if he ends up winning the presidency.

[clk]

Originally posted by American
"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185)

American's really been getting a hard-on lately from attacking Kerry. What's the matter, American? Scared that a real war hero is going to expose Bush as a coward?

[NightG1]

Originally posted by American
"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185)

Looks like you missed something somewhat important:
Published on Wednesday, February 18, 1970

I don't suppose you could tell us if Kerry still holds this view 34 years after he voiced it. I said lots of things when I was 26 I no longer hold to be true or important. For instance, back then I was a conservative republican.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Kodiak


Yeah! What's the problem? The U.S. Army has already changed from billed caps to berets. All they'd have to do to complete the change is change the color of the beret to sky blue... :rolleyes:

What's the big deal? It's only our sovereignty...

It's your sovereignty to unilaterally march around the world starting wars in other countries?

Apart from that, when your troops are under the UN banner, they are there as a voluntarily made gift of the member nations. The UN cannot force nations to provide troops for peace-keeping operations.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by a_unique_person
It's your sovereignty to unilaterally march around the world starting wars in other countries?

Yes, basically. That's the essence of acting without external control. When it comes to starting wars, we have internal checks and balances that decide our nation's actions.


Originally posted by a_unique_person
Apart from that, when your troops are under the UN banner, they are there as a voluntarily made gift of the member nations. The UN cannot force nations to provide troops for peace-keeping operations.

May we never make such a gift again, and may the UN never have such power...

[Crossbow]

Originally posted by Kodiak


That's an amazing case of selective memory you have there!!

Have you forgotten the 6-month-long negotiations where Bush and Blair tried to get the UN and member nations on board? Except for Russia, France, and Germany, they succeeded in getting, what...about two dozen nations on board?

It isn't the U.S.'s fault the UN refused to enforce it's own resolutions.

Yes, it is the U.S.'s fault that the UN could not enforce its own resolutions.

The US refused to permit more time for the international inspections.
When the US insisted that it knew Iraq had WMDs, the international inspectors asked for that data so they could find the WMDs but that data was never provided (and now why, because we all know now that such data never existed to begin with).
With the exception of Britain, the international support you speak of was purchased by the US taxpayer.

[The Don]

Originally posted by Kodiak


Yes, basically. That's the essence of acting without external control. When it comes to starting wars, we have internal checks and balances that decide our nation's actions.




May we never make such a gift again, and may the UN never have such power...

Oooh goody.

Looking at the quality of the intellect applied to the decision and the intelligence informing the decision I'm quite suprised to wake up this morning and NOT find U.S. Marines marching down Weybridge high street looking for Eye-rakki (sic) WMDs

The US should be allowed to behave in whatever way it wants with no regard for anyone else. It's it sovereign right and dooty to do so.

I'll just be amused to find out what happens when China stops investing in the U.S. That's when unilateralism isn't so much fun

[Mr Manifesto]

Originally posted by Suddenly


Heck, I'd like to see them not dispersed at all.


If they have to be, I'd like to see it done within the U.N., as idiot cowboys nonwithstanding, the world is bigger than Texas and having most of it on our side is helpful.

If that falls through, roll the tanks through Melbourne if necessary.


What's the problem?

Let me know when you get to St Kilda. I want to make sure you don't miss a certain address there.

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by Crossbow
The US refused to permit more time for the international inspections.

The "shell game" Saddam was playing (why? I don't know...) made the inspectors a laughing stock.

Originally posted by Crossbow
When the US insisted that it knew Iraq had WMDs, the international inspectors asked for that data so they could find the WMDs but that data was never provided (and now why, because we all know now that such data never existed to begin with).

This has nothing to do with Iraqi noncompliance of multiple UN security council resolutions.


Originally posted by Crossbow
With the exception of Britain, the international support you speak of was purchased by the US taxpayer.

Does that violate some diplomacy rule that I am unaware of? Are you saying that a country has no right to use any and all assets in its possession when negotiating alliances and coalitions with other countries?

[Kodiak]

Originally posted by The Don


Oooh goody.

Looking at the quality of the intellect applied to the decision and the intelligence informing the decision I'm quite suprised to wake up this morning and NOT find U.S. Marines marching down Weybridge high street looking for Eye-rakki (sic) WMDs

The US should be allowed to behave in whatever way it wants with no regard for anyone else. It's it sovereign right and dooty to do so.

I'll just be amused to find out what happens when China stops investing in the U.S. That's when unilateralism isn't so much fun

Good point. All actions have repercussions. I've never argued otherwise.

[Crossbow]

Originally posted by American
"I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

- John ***** Kerry (http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=352185)

Once again, American is showing just what a boob he is by posting the one little snippet that suits his twisted view of the world and at the same time ignoring the parts that do not support his view.

...

He supports a volunteer Army, "if and only if we can create the controls for it. You're going to have to prepare for the possibility of a national emergency, however." Kerry said that the United Nations should have control over most of our foreign military operations. "I'm an internationalist. I'd like to see our troops dispersed through the world only at the directive of the United Nations."

...