UN Inspectors forced to end THIS inspection under the threat of force.

[Night Stalker]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Oh, wait, the U-2 has no weapons does it? Well, it should have got some backup to lock and fire. If "painting" a target from the ground in Iraq gets the ground target popped, why doesn't this? I want to know. It truly irks me that some piddly nation stood up to the US and did not outright get shot to hell for it. Oooops, how do I keep saying these things out loud?? Maybe I'm a warmonger after all.

Remember, one of the "conditions" for U2 support for the inspectors was that they fly unescorted.

[ 03-11-2003, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: Night Stalker ]

[Iron_Ranger]

Nice to see some many anti war people posting in this thread.

[Chewbacca]

Here is a random google newstory on the topic:
http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/world_story/Full_Story/did-sgWQWip93lT5ssgDQQ5wn3uA Ig.asp

War tensions, perhaps a misunderstanding. From what I have read of the situation the Iraqi planes did not specifically intercept the U2 and the Iraqi military gave notice that they found the situation unsual in real time. They have every right to be paranoid with the superior looming invasion force at their doorstep.

No harm done, though it could be percieved as Iraqi backpeddling instead of pre-war tension.

[ 03-11-2003, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: It truly irks me that some piddly nation stood up to the US and did not outright get shot to hell for it. Oooops, how do I keep saying these things out loud??

I've pretty much become convinced for the need for war in this instance but dammit TL, comments like that just piss me off. Even though you were only joking (and I can see the funny side, if I was an American I'd be laughing out loud I'm sure), it's when you let that kind of horseshit slip out of your mouth that Americans get their bad rep. The USA as a collective is very strong. The US military is VERY intimidating. Not surpisingly, when Americans take flagrant 'cowboy' attitudes it makes most foreigners quite apprehensive about American motives and goals.
You're a good guy, don't get me wrong. But just please try not to get carried away with this whole tough-guy thing. Let's just get in there, get it over with, and get to rebuilding the area once the dust settles.

[the new JR Jansen]

Originally posted by Iron_Ranger: Nice to see some many anti war people posting in this thread.

Maybe because this thread didn't take the way of a discussion.

[Felix The Assassin]

Well, we went from a far leftist to a cowboy. Hmm.

Just blame the cowboys father. It was world politics, and policies, that forced him to retire the "Black Bird" The infamous SR-71. Never truly caught on radar, never intercepted, and never left a mission unfinished! She set world records. Highest altitude, Fastest speed, and the most famous, speed record from NY to London England in under 2 hours!

The U2, is slower and lower. But is politically correct!

Therefore, we can now be intercepted in a Aerial Recon mission. Such is, world politics and policies.

I agree, it was our fault for flying a recon plane over their country.

Felix

[Ronn_Bman]

Saddam claims the US plane was spying.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: Quote: Originally posted by Timber Loftis: It truly irks me that some piddly nation stood up to the US and did not outright get shot to hell for it. Oooops, how do I keep saying these things out loud??

I've pretty much become convinced for the need for war in this instance but dammit TL, comments like that just piss me off. Even though you were only joking (and I can see the funny side, if I was an American I'd be laughing out loud I'm sure), it's when you let that kind of horseshit slip out of your mouth that Americans get their bad rep. The USA as a collective is very strong. The US military is VERY intimidating. Not surpisingly, when Americans take flagrant 'cowboy' attitudes it makes most foreigners quite apprehensive about American motives and goals.
You're a good guy, don't get me wrong. But just please try not to get carried away with this whole tough-guy thing. Let's just get in there, get it over with, and get to rebuilding the area once the dust settles.[/QUOTE]Hierophant, I assure you the US "kingly" attitude annoys me as well. I was joking on more than one level here. I revile First World Elitism on many levels. I don't like the European level of elitism I've seen (intellectual/moral based) and I don't like the American level of elitism I've seen (power/wealth based).

So, my jab was at myself and the fellow posters on this board as much as anyone else. I try to be bitingly self-honest about the hypocrisy of any stance on this issue. There are bad aspects to all sides, and this is why it's so easy to undercut each other's arguments with "Chiraq did this," "Rumsfeld did that," and "I know we are but so are you. [img]tongue.gif[/img] "

It wasn't supposed to be just funny TO Americans but also funny AT Americans. It was Mel Brooks saying "It's good to be da King" when we all know that "Let them eat cake" attitude has been the downfall of many leaders - and was in fact the downfall of that particular character.

No matter what any of you think, I'm not laughing *at* you, I'm laughing *near* you.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: Saddam claims the US plane was spying.

Spying??? Really now???
A public news announcment that we are going to send a U-2 Recon plane over your airspace to observe the efforts of the UN inspection team is hardly spying.
I think we have way better means of spying than that.

Felix