"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
Diplomacy only works when there is a threat of military coercion.


Wrong.


Bert Robbins wrote:
Really? How am I wrong.


Diplomacy works when both parties have something to gain by agreeing.

Correct, I and my country will be better of by not having my country invaded
by a superior military force if I acceed to the other country's desires.

If I don't do what you want me to do even after you talk my ear off what
are you going to do? Well, if my military is stronger than your military
you pose no threat to me.

I guess we signed NAFTA because we were afraid Mexico & Canada were going
to invade us?

We signed NAFTA because Bill C wanted to look like he was actually doing
something in office. NAFTA quickly opened the borders to move manufacturing
jobs to Mexico.

Forcing other people against their will is not "diplomacy," it's
"coercion."

Why yes, they are one and the same.

Maybe when the Bush Administration learns a slightly bigger vocabulary,
they'll understand the difference.

There is no difference between diplomacy and coersion. Once you understand
that you will also understand that nations are islands unto themselves and
that their survival depends on doing what is in the nations best interests
when dealing with other nations.