Why?

[piece-itpete]

I'm not arguing for it! It's up to our current masters of the universe.

However being punitive its' mission would be to punish.

Pete

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

It is unlikely we'd be free without the French

Although I agree, we fought for it. But what about Japan, Germany, and vichy France?

Pete

But the Iraqis did not even want to fight for it, there is the difference. WTF has Japan, Germany and Vichy France got to do with anything?

[piece-itpete]

Democracy was handed to them.

Pete

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Democracy was handed to them.

Pete

They were "liberated" by the allied forces, they had democracy before the war unless you do not count the Wiemar Republic. It was doing quite well until Clemenceau destroyed it with unreasonable demands for reparation. Unless my memory is faulty the French overthrew their monarchy.

At best you could say the allies "restored" a democracy they had alrready known.

[beej]

Originally Posted by Zeke

And we would expect that to induce what? Internal policy change?

Somehow, I find that unlikely.

Zeke, I think it's more likely than another American commitment to a ground war in that region. With respect to what it would induce, who knows for sure, but I'd be surprised if there would be much of anything left of their nucelar program once the smoke cleared.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Democracy was handed to them.

Pete

Pete, your version of history is always entertaining to say the least.

France had a mature democracy before WWII. Vichy was an illegitimate government created as a tool of the Nazi occupation. Once the war ended the French - on their own - went back to their home-grown parliamentary system.

Germany had a nascent democracy, rebuilt on the ashes of the Weimar government we destroyed after WWI. Then a rightist movement perverted Germany's government to its own ends. After Hitler's defeat the Allies restricted their interference in the German government to "denazification", getting Nazis out of government and ridding German culture of Nazi iconography.

Democracy may have been handed to Japan but it was up to the people of Japan to accept it. They have. The Iraqis haven't. Their use of the vote is analogous to their use of the suicide bomber. It's a tool to marginalize or even eliminate other ethnicities and religions.

John

[piece-itpete]

Funny how western countries (and Japan) are capable of democracy but arab countries aren't.

Agreed that Germany was a 'democracy' - they did elect Hitler.

In France the left basically staged a minor coup and tossed the right out of the country before calling Hitler and handing over the country.

Pete

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

In France the left basically staged a minor coup and tossed the right out of the country before calling Hitler and handing over the country.

Pete

The Left? You mean Soshulists and Communists? The same people that Hitler had rounded up in Germany and then locked away in the camps?

Pull the other one, Pete!

John

[JJIII]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Yeah back into 50 little countries last I heard.

I was thinking more along the lines of 50 sovereign states, all members of the U.S. of A. As described in the Constitution.

[piece-itpete]

John "B" (lots of Johns) I am absolutely correct

So is John "J"

Pete