As for cynicism - how could anything compare with our "twisted version of Great Game realpolitik" in South Asia over the last half century? Backing the butchers in Bangladesh, funding bin Laden, agreeing to look the other way while Pakistan acquires nukes...quite a record, wouldn't you say?
Since you've bothered to learn fuck-all about my stance, I'll thank you to shut your trap about it. I've been telling anyone who will listen that our policy in this part of the world would lead to disaster since 1987. What the fuck were you doing while there was still time to avoid the worst?
MM
>>> dperrin at comcast.net 05/18/02 22:03 PM >>>
Michael McIntyre:
> Boring weekend Dennis? Baiting the "pwogwessives" to inject some
excitement into your life? Your initial comment WAS > a propos of nothing
after all.
Actually, I was responding to a post by Doug, who titled this thread. But, I'll admit, my life cannot compare to the exciting life of a Chicago academic.
> But if you're worried about the "do nothings", does that mean you're
cheering on India, now? They just expelled the Pakistani ambassador, and
they have a million troops massed on the border. While the Bush
administration keeps calling Pakistan an ally, despite the fact that it's
now harboring bin Laden and Mullah Omar, India is preared to put its money
where its mouth is in the war on terrorism! Raise the Trishul! Your heroes
are at the gate!
>
> Too bad about that minor detail...you know, that India's current
government comes from a political movement (Hindu Mahasabha --> RSS --> BJP)
that was quite literally inspired the the fascist movements of Europe.
>
> Ain't it a bitch when history gets complicated? Makes it SOOOO hard to
know who to dis.
History's always complicated. War as well. No, I'm not thrilled by the coming conflict between India and Pakistan, though I'm not sure what India should do given that al-Qaeda and its Pakistani sponsors are so crazy about Kashmir that they are staging attacks on India's parliament and looking for ways to incorporate that Muslim state into a staging area for further Holy Attacks (as well as becoming part of their noble 7th century concept of the Good Life). I think Bush's current policy is horrific, primarily in Israel/Palestine, but also in Pakistan. Why don't they call for the extradition of bin Laden and Omar? Some twisted version of Great Game realpolitick, I'm sure.
But perhaps you're right -- perhaps it's better to sit back, wave your fist, shout "No War" and pretend none of this matters. It's certainly easier; and given your cynical stance, preferable.
DP