Random Euro thoughts on Iraq

[Naso]

Originally posted by muckmaw
So what's different between the experience of the English and the French in WWII, that is coloring their opinions of the current situation.

My opinion is that the main difference lay in the national/political/economical interests.

About the people, I have the impression that a great majority in both countries is concerned about the "collateral damage", but in UK the interests push a stance like: "we have good reasons to believe US position, so let's do it" while in France the interests are more in the direction: "it's not enough we need more proves before to bomb a good economic source and left it in the hands of US and UK"

Because the latter will be one of the results, intended or not.

In short, I guess, even in UK it's a very little part of the people that think "Kill'em all, and let God sort 'em".

In US, looking this boards, the opinion distribution seem different, with the latter option more... strong (?).

Not the majority.. I hope.

[muckmaw]

I've said t before and I'll say it again. I don't want any of our men fighting and dying, but I'd rather do that than see a mushroom cloud over NYC. I'd rather fight a bloody war myself, than watch my wife and daughter die at the hands of a terrorist supplied by a rogue state.

If the U.S. government says this is what may happen if we do not take action, then I have no choice but to believe and support them. They know more than I do.

So if war must come to protect my family...so be it.

[hardcase2]

It is about Oil and China. The US wants an anchor of democracy on the west end of the ex Soviet, Oil rich, under exploited 'Stans..Kurdistan..etc. China is trying to make inroads to the west to influence the 'Stans governments and to avoid that we are going war. It is a forgone conclusion regardless of the UN and Europe.

[Dead Man Flying]

Originally posted by Naso
In US, looking this boards, the opinion distribution seem different, with the latter option more... strong (?).

Not the majority.. I hope.

This forum hardly represents the views of average Americans.  The demographic for Aces High -- and for those people who play it that also hang out on the forums -- is quite different than the overall American population.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[Hangtime]

This forum hardly represents the views of average Americans. The demographic for Aces High -- and for those people who play it that also hang out on the forums -- is quite different than the overall American population.

An interesting assesment... from Hong Kong.

I believe you are in error. On these boards are displayed a very wide range of views.. from lets do it now to no war, to wait and see, to never again, wait for the UN, to nuke 'em all in thier beds, to screw the iraqi's and just nuke the frogs.

I see protest on the BBS, on the streets, and with our far flung memebers from other lands.

Looks healty to me.

I'd guess the consensus is closely split here between waiting for UN support and THEN going in, to just getting it done now, scerw the UN. The latter seems to have the lead, and the majority, UN sanctioned or not sems to agree that we need to get it done; regardless.

How does that differ from the american consensus at large?

[Dead Man Flying]

Originally posted by Hangtime
How does that differ from the american consensus at large?

Members of this forum are computer owners, computer literate, game players, generally white collar (though obviously not all), interested enough in the game to devote time to forums about it, etc.  I can say for certain that this forum in no way approximates, say, a university town like Chapel Hill where I work and live.  And neither really accurately represents America broadly speaking.

In general, I find that the American population on these boards tend toward a conservative or libertarian ideology. Those from abroad differ, of course, but then your baseline is quite different there as well.  

I'd be happy to grab the latest National Elections Study dataset and analyze it to get a good sense of the American ideological and partisan makeup as of 2002/2003, but my educated guess is that an accurate poll of this forum would not match it.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[Hangtime]

Members of this forum are computer owners, computer literate, game players, generally white collar (though obviously not all), interested enough in the game to devote time to forums about it, etc.

That son of a squeak just called us a bunch a geeks!

LYNCH HIM!

[Nath[BDP]]

grab teh dataset!

[Dead Man Flying]

Originally posted by Nath[BDP]
grab teh dataset!

I shall.  Poll forthcoming.

-- Todd/Leviathn

[StSanta]

I should clarify. Post wasn't intended as a pissing contest but a highlighting of cultural differences and the effects thereof. I think having the battle raging outside yer home when you're a wee lad will affect you more than a war thousands of miles away. In both cases, your daddy is away fighting. In one of the cases, the enemy is right next to you, and even today there are physical things reminding the people alive then of past horrors.

That was basically what I wanted to say. I then went on about maybe stopping Saddam before it grows worse would be a good idea.

Eagler wrote:

'if you find a mk108 30mm shell laying around your war relics, send it my way - got a 20mm already '.

Will do Eagler. I just hope the transport guys won't bounce it around too much, as I won't bother removing the explosives.

The authorities concluded it was from a German AAA gun that was stationed there in the past, so it wasn't an MK108 shell methinks.

Denmark is a quite small country, so 99% of the stuff has been found. Ever so often new stuff  pops up. It doesn't even get mentioned in newspapers, except if it's a big cache.

But my brothers friend wanted to open the grenade with a screwdriver and hammer. I had the sense to run for my father who, upon arrival, said something I'll never forget

'If you like your life, you might want to put that hammer down.

Heh, funny story today though.