U.S. vows to hit Iraqi Scuds

[hummer]

Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war
in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervour,
for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword.
It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind...

And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and
the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry.
Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism,
will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so.

[powertoad5000]

Originally posted here by ntsa
I certainly wouldn't want a country like Iraq next door to me with their fingers on the launch control of some short range missile, containing lord alone knows what payload.

Do you honestly think Israel will sit around and wait to be attacked? As soon as the war starts, it will be all systems go for Israel's missiles. Lord knows I certainly wouldn't want a volatile nation like Israel next door to me. They destroyed Iraq's Osiraq reactor, simply because they had recieved information from 'sources of unquestioned reliability' that it was going to be used to build nuclear weapons. There was no actual aggravation from Iraq: it was a truly pre-emptive strike. Up until then the reactor had not actually been used to produce nuclear weapons. Regardless of whether or not this attack was justified, it shows the aggressive nature of Israel:

Originally posted here by nebulus200
would Israel, under Ariel Sharon, have the composure and the self-control, to not ignite a larger war by retaliation against Sadaam

IMHO: No.

[Tedob1]

IMO iraq and isreal are both volatile nations and im glad i live far away from both of them. But if and when we march on iraq they will attack isreal knowing that isreal will enter the conflict. saddam's hope being that other arab nations will jump in out of hatred for isreal. So i kinda think some one said something like, "hey look, if we can keep iraqs scuds from doing you any damage...will you promise to stay out of it?" and some kind of an agreement was worked out.

[Spyder32]

IMHO, I think if Iraq started something with Israel, Israel wouldn't backdown or lose. Remember, Israel isn't the weakest country. They have some of our weapons, our troops, and we've helped train some of their troops. I think that if a war started they can definitely defend themselves from Iraq. Remember, ever since Israel became a country, they've had some sort of war or military-like conflict and they've long since been able to hold their own in the heat of battle. The only thing I'm worried about is if Iraq start's a war with Israel, that it could be the key for once Israel to attack, for other arabic countries who hate Israel, to attack them. It would be a brutal fight, and I'm glad I'm far from their, as Tedob1 said.

[Negative]

Just a little remark:

the shortest distance from Iraq to Israel is about 250 km. Iraq has had four versions of the Scud-missile. They could only get two of them to work. 250 km is a no go for an Iraqi Scud.

[ntsa]

Neg > Yeah - but if you were an Israeli would you want to take the chance?

[Negative]

ntsa --> I'm Belgian... I'm taking the chance that the US hits me with one of their nukes EVERY DAY...

[ntsa]

Not high on the list of probabilities however - unless the International court tries a US citizen for war crimes. Even in that unlikley situation an attack on the international court by the US would render them an international pariah, and no nation - not even the US - takes on the entire world lightly.

The bill, though it has incenced many Belgians (and rightly so), is mainly the rhetoric of a nation for whom happenstance has forced a sizable change in international outlook. In light of current events politicians believe they will look more electable to voters if they take a hard line on international issues.

I think that there is more politics than substance attached to this bill. We have a saying in the North of England - "All p1ss and wind" - I think that this is the case here.

[rcgreen]

I'm Belgian... I'm taking the chance that the US hits me with one of their nukes EVERY DAY...

Man, if you are really that worried, maybe you should move to France.