Greg, I'm sorry and this is my apology to you. I had no right to tell you to eff off.

1) I am not in favour of war.
2) We are in one with Daesh and it's like being waist deep in the big muddy.
3) The situation is such that the only local people who can be trusted to fight Daesh are with the Peshmerga.
4) I am suggesting either get in or get out.
5) Daesh will not be contained or beaten with bombs.
6) I would prefer we get out, but the political climate is such that maybe we can't.
7) So get in, do the job and go home and return there no more.

American published numbers which can be seen at the following link

http://www.ibtimes.com/us-airstrikes-syria-against-isis-may-cost-much-10-billion-1694475

indicate that I'm not alone in thinking that.

I don't mind you or anyone else nailing me on matters of fact or even matters of opinion. The few friendships I have on Mudcat are not determined by friends having to agree with me. They are determined by whether or not we argue in such a way that excludes put-downs or lines like 'wear your tinfoil' or 'how can you be so stupid as to think' and other remarks of that nature. I suppose we're mostly all guilty of that in one way or other, but it's time we all stopped.

Invade my country and I will fight to the best of my ability along with the rest of my geriatric peers to get that invader out or make life so unbearable to stay that the invaders want to get out. Today, in a pragmatic sense, it really doesn't matter who caused or created Daesh. The reality is they exist and arguably they should be destroyed. So far our countries are just helping their recruitment process and I think that's counter productive.

For example, Ake and I disagree on many things. He knows that and so do I. We still get along. You and I disagree on many things. You know that and so do I. Feel free to rip my facts or opinions apart. We'll still be friends. But saying anyone's posts are shit--just because--leads nowhere, and I think we're all better than that or at least should try to be. Keep well and let's all watch our BPs :-)