[thechat] A balance of opinion.

[Sabrina Dent, Apperception]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Heironymous Bosch"

> Listen, if you are a parent, you will understand this:  Up to a certain
age,
> it is acceptable, to sometimes give a naughty child a smack on the bottom
in
> order to get her attention that the behaviour she is exhibiting is not
> acceptable. Once she has matured beyond a certain age, it is no longer
> acceptable.  But this is because SHE WILL LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND AND
COMPLY.

You are obviously not a parent, or if you are, not a very good one. Smacking
your child is unacceptable at any age. And if you think the cut-off point is
"she will understand and comply" well, then, I welcome you to the wonderful
world of teenagers. Try "She will understand not give a shit."

> Just like a parent is reluctant to smack his child, so the US is reluctant
> to start a war without good reason. Some of you may feel that no reason is
> ever sufficient. Fine. Go live in some other country and see if you like
it
> better.

I have, and I do, thank you so much for your interest in my welfare.
However, I would like to correct your black and white stance. I am not a
pacifist at all. I think there have been many situations where military
intervention was called for -- World War II springs to mind, a dinner party
at which the US was very late indeed at arriving to the table.

However, I oppose this war, and I particularly oppose this war as it is
being waged by this US administration. This is not about liberating Iraq
from Saddam Hussein, it's about oil. We're trading the lives of troops and
civilians for oil. And that shit does not fly with me.

> He does not listen to the United Nations. He spits
> in their faces.

Oh, I'm sorry... you *were* talking about George Bush, yes? No UN
resolution, whinging for Geneva Convention treatment of American PoWs while
killing people at Guantanamo Bay, ignoring the Bill of Rights... that's the
guy.

> This is a just war.  The US is to be commended.

This is not a just war. It may be a necessary war, but it is not just.

--Sabrina
--------------------
Prurient: http://www.satinslippers.com  (NSFW!)
Prudent: http://www.darlingbri.co.uk