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Philippines 'pulling out' Iraq troops

plindboe

Graduate Poster
plindboe
Joined
Apr 4, 2003
Messages
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3892125.stm

This makes me so angry. Sure they might save a single life, but the action will surely encourage the terrorists to step up their kidnapping activities. I wonder how many more people will die because of this idiotic Philippine decision.

Don't get me wrong, I really feel sad for the hostage and his family. But to let the terrorists know that they should keep up their work because it apparently helps can only result in a much higher price. It's like patting them on the shoulder saying "Good job", "Keep it up".
 
I think it would be a bit rich to call the Philipines idiotic for pulling out. This isn't their war, it's the US's. Keep in mind that the US wasn't man enough to take on Iraq alone: Either international opinion or sheer lack of military capability (against a hamstrung foe, no less) forced it to seek allies.

How it went about seeking those allies is interesting in itself.

The Philippines is dependent on the U.S. government for both economic and military assistance. The country received $71 million in USAID money in 2002. Perhaps even more significant for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the U.S. assistance in fighting Abu Sayyaf, an armed Muslim criminal gang operating in the southern part of the country that
Washington claims has had relations with al Qaeda. On February 21, 2003, the U.S. government announced that it would boost its support by sending another 1,700 U.S. troops in to help with direct combat.
Click to expand...


Source
Now, obviously Bush wasn't Christian enough to supply this aid out of the goodness of his heart. In return, the Philippines was forced to commit to a war, obviously reluctantly. In the end, they decided the cost wasn't worth the benefit.








(so good I said it twice :D )
 
The world is shirking its responsibilty to Iraq. I didnt want to invade either but whats done is done.

Everyone talks big abour the world community, helping countries back on their feet. When it comes to doing the job everyone dissappears.

What if Saddam had jsut stepped down, or was assinated. Iraq would be in much the same mess. WOuld the world just stand buy and watch.
 
Keep in mind that the US wasn't man enough to take on Iraq alone:

Of course, if it HAD gone to war alone, you'd be shrieking your head off about "imperialist American agression".
 
[The world is shirking its responsibilty to Iraq. I didnt want to invade either but whats done is done.

Everyone talks big abour the world community, helping countries back on their feet. When it comes to doing the job everyone dissappears.

...except the US, for which the world should be thankful.
 
Mr Manifesto said:
I think it would be a bit rich to call the Philipines idiotic for pulling out. This isn't their war, it's the US's. Keep in mind that the US wasn't man enough to take on Iraq alone: Either international opinion or sheer lack of military capability (against a hamstrung foe, no less) forced it to seek allies.

(so good I said it twice :D )
Click to expand...

WoW!!!

What a blatant example of "double think."

If the US has no allies it is no doubt "unilateral" and "arrogant."

Since the US has allies it shows the "US wasn't man enough."

Does Mr. M even realize this? or does he just hate so much, "logic be damned!!!"
 
Whoracle said:
Liberals can rejoice, they are no longer the biggest pussies in the world.
Click to expand...

If I didn't know better, I'd say this was American's sock puppet..I mean, wouldn't American say exactly the same thing?:bricks:

The Philippines have been fight terrorism by Abu Sayyaf, who operates by kidnapping and murder, and in general the Phillipine Government does not negotiate with them and has committed thousands of troops and millions of dollars to wipe them out (not easy when there are literally hundreds of barely explored islands to hide out in)

But here..51 troops, due to go home at the end of August anyway, so pull them 30 days early and save a life and get some good in-counrty publicity (IIRC, the Filipino people are not thrilled about the Iraq conflict either and they do have a functioning democracy)

So for the Manila Government, it really wasn't a tough decision.

That said, it might behoove one to look for a list of the "Coalition" and see what countries have (1) Only a handful of troops and (2) a Democratic Government and (3) a lot of opposition to their countries involvement. Seems like any soldier that fits that bill should be extra careful.
 
Looked at a source, and here are some other "small fry" that might be wanting to look over their shoulders...

Denmark--510
Thailand--460
Norway--150
Checkslovakia-92
New Zealand--60
 
plindboe said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3892125.stm

This makes me so angry. Sure they might save a single life, but the action will surely encourage the terrorists to step up their kidnapping activities. I wonder how many more people will die because of this idiotic Philippine decision.

Don't get me wrong, I really feel sad for the hostage and his family. But to let the terrorists know that they should keep up their work because it apparently helps can only result in a much higher price. It's like patting them on the shoulder saying "Good job", "Keep it up".
Click to expand...

The whole logic of this argument troubles me, as the PM of Australia uses it too.

Packing up and going home is giving in to the terrorists.

But..........there weren't any terrorists in Iraq till the war started. Having created this monster, we have to deal with it. OK, I can understand that, but only on the basis that everyone involved in helping create the monster aplogises.
 
Mike B. said:


WoW!!!

What a blatant example of "double think."

If the US has no allies it is no doubt "unilateral" and "arrogant."

Since the US has allies it shows the "US wasn't man enough."

Does Mr. M even realize this? or does he just hate so much, "logic be damned!!!"
Click to expand...

Yeah, the US wasn't man enough to go it alone, so they coerced nations like the Philipines to create the impression that there was a broad coalition to support it. Doublethink.
 
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