[lbo-talk] Re:Liberia

[Shane Taylor]

Dwayne Monroe wrote:
> As near as I can tell, it really appears as if the
> Bushies have painted themselves into a 'pre-emptive
> intervention is our game baby' corner.  Although the
> initial, stated justification for War Plan Iraq was
> countering an imminent threat it soon morphed into a
> 'we must free those people from oppression' spin
> campaign.
>
> Having the Liberia crisis reach the boil-over point so
> soon after the Iraqi 'crusade' may be a PR problem (if
> you acted in Iraq but won't act here, maybe there
> isn't enough oil - that sort of thing).  Also, unlike
> the Iraq situation, there are people - inside Liberia
> and in the UN, Mr. Annan himself in fact- who are
> clamoring for US action. 

Max B. Sawicky wrote:
> I think this is on track.  The U.S. intervenes in
> Liberia to justify its intervention in Iraq -- to
> demonstrate it is not always and everywhere self-
> interested.

Dwayne and Max seem closest to the mark on this one.  Of particular
interest are the invitations from Liberians to intervene, as Dwayne
recalls.  I don't know who the invitees are, if they're organized, or
what.

The half-assed troop commitment Doug heard on Meet the Press could
suggest reluctance to do something they can't talk their way out of. 
Shrub may be looking for a symbolic exit, but he did call for Charles
Taylor to leave office.  This is bizarre.

-- Shane

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