[lbo-talk] Does Al Qaeda Exist?

Luke Weiger lweiger at umich.edu
Mon Jan 17 16:11:25 PST 2005


Michael Dawson wrote:


> Come on now, Luke! Of course, I supported sanctions,

That would put you in a distinct minority here.


> just as I supported any actions the U.N.-managed police operation would
have recommended,

Just as you supported Gulf War I, which did receive the blessing of the Security Council?


> were allowed to happen, which it was not, for the very reason that the
> United States is a rogue nation that, like you, does not believe in
> international law.

As I said, I believe in international law, but that law has to be more than just a piece of paper.


> War, Luke. We're talking about war -- killing lots of people, including
civilians, for political ends, and not war as a last
> possible resort, either. Huge, huge difference.

Though there is a purportedly significant difference between acts and omissions, I'll note that international aid is also a matter of life and death.


> You are a hypocrite.

No, I'd be a hypocrite if I suggested that others are obligated to enlist, but that I'm not due to some bogus extenuating circumstance. I have never said anything of the sort. I'm not even sure that those who enlist in the military should be legally obligated to fight.


> But, then, I believe you are an Israel booster,

About the closest I've ever came to "boosting" Israel was when I claimed that it didn't make a whole lot of sense to call them an "apartheid" state (predictably, I took a lot of shit for doing so). I've also been very critical of the Palestinian leadership at times, but that doesn't mean that I "love" Ariel Sharon et al.

-- Luke



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