"John H" wrote in message
...


Is not the 'picking of allies' part of the shaping of circumstances
which you find so abhorrent? Is not the picking of allies in our
fundamental interests? Is it our right to pick our allies? Chuck,
these are all things you find arrogant!

A preemptive strike doesn't constitute "picking an ally", John.

What we just did with Libya may end up being a perfect example of an
economic "preemptive strike". Gadaffi has been bought, somehow. Nothing
wrong with that, if it's a win-win situation. If it's not, it'll unravel,
as
it should.

Does that mean that it's OK to 'shape circumstances' up to a point
which you define?

John H

You may be responding to the wrong message, John. In the absence of a
blatant attack on this country, I have no problem with shaping circumstances
using diplomacy, trade or other bait. I *do* have a problem with certain
people in this government whose FIRST choice of methods is the use of force.
The movie "Dr Strangelove" was supposed to be a comedy, not a lesson for
future government employees.