BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant

Subject: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Peter T.
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 01:52 PM

You really have to laugh. What is it with those Turks? 89% of the people opposed, the US throws money at them, and that old pesky parliament says no. On Friday State Department spokesman Richard Boucher made it clear the US was growing impatient with Ankara over the delay of the vote. "We've substantially completed our negotiations with the Turkish Government over the economic, political and military documents that can outline US-Turkey co-operation with respect to Iraq," he said
                      "It's now up to Prime Minister
                      [Abdullah] Gul and his cabinet to
                      complete the Turkish political
                      process."

I.e. get this done. Meanwhile, the gallant Canadian Prime Minister and his Mexican colleague (George's old ranchero buddy for a week or so) are truly unhappy over the latest (gasp) revelation that George is really trying to get rid of Saddam, whatever that pesky UN resolution says. And now I see that Guinea (new chair of Security Council for this month (!) is worrying Washington. Cheney was right: once you start down the road of paying attention to other countries, you will end up wining and dining Bulgaria. You really have to laugh.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 05:17 PM

There have been times when politicians giving or receiving bribes were considered to be unfit to hold office. Clearly these aren't times like that, in Washington anyway. Or Whitehall, because Blair is rushing around offering bribes as well.

I've always felt that giving a bribe to someone far poorer than you are is far more dishonourable than accepting it.

Such a parcel of rogues in a nation

Subject: RE: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Don Firth
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 05:24 PM

I just bloody give up! When does the next starship leave for Alpha Centauri?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 05:33 PM

So is this how to get a thread about Iraq started under the new Mudcat Homeland Security Department censors? Don't use "BS" in the subject line even though you are supposed to "according to the rules", be a member who has already complained about too many Iraq threads (allowing the double standard between members and guests to be activated), and don't mention Iraq in the thread title?

I notice this is the only new Iraq thread posted (allowed?) to get through the censors in a number of days now. Congratulations to Joe and clone censors, who have done a magnificent job of cleansing the forum of almost all discussion of politics in general, and the impending war which is now likely two weeks away.

Bravo Mudcat Jack Boots. You do the internet folk music community proud by making politics a taboo subject.

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 06:32 PM

Talk about counting your chickens before they hatch!

After hearing the first incorrect reports on Saturday that the parliament had approved access for US troops, Washington was set to laud the move and praise the Turkish government for its courage, according to a reaction prepared by the State Department.

"We warmly welcome the decision of the Turkish parliament to permit US forces to enter Turkey for possible military operations towards Iraq," it said. "We applaud the courageous leadership of the Turkish government."

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Gareth
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 06:53 PM

Mmmmm ! Did't Bogle have something to say on the Turkish Army ??

Click 'Ere

Ooops , Sorry it introduces folkmusic to the set minds of others.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 07:16 PM

And what, Peter T, is wrong with "wining and dining Bulgaria"?

Your post reeks of the same arrogant attitude that is at the root of the coming global calamity: the mistaken belief that the US is somehow better than other nations. This sort of noxious hubris is no longer acceptable in the discourse of civilized people and countries.

And yes, this is most definitely a BS thread.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 07:59 PM

Sheesh!

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 09:23 PM

A little irony...passed right on by in someone's ardent fervour...sheesh! is right!

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Mar 03 - 09:56 PM

We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs,
   Then we started all over again.

As I read it the focus of this one is on the practice of bribery and corruption in politics, in this case international politics. It so happens this time it's to do with Iraq, but it could be about any situation where a rich nation or company or individual wants to get its way, and doesn't care how it goes about it as it buys itself out of trouble.

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Greycap
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 01:31 AM

I missed the music thread here

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Peter T.
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 11:16 AM

Sorry, couldn't resist. I was particularly amused that the Americans spent 50 years in NATO defending France and Germany against Bulgaria, and now Bulgaria is the defence against France and Germany.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Forum Lurker
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 12:51 PM

Michaelr-the problem with wining and dining Bulgaria is that it's using our political and economic power in clear bribery to accomplish our ends. Bribery and corruption in any form has no place in a democratic governmental system, which I believe Bulgaria and America both lay claim to.

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 01:12 PM

How much money does it cost to enlist the righteous and prosperous in order to defend the world from 'clear and present danger'? Precious little, imho... ttr

Subject: RE: BS: The Gallant Allies Get Gallant
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Mar 03 - 05:40 PM

Actually, though, FL, what can one expect when bribery is the life-blood of American politics? They call it "campaign contributions," but I'll be darned if I can see how accepting a lavish contribution with the tacit agreement that you'll scratch the contributor's back in return is any different from straight bribery. It's a way of life with these people! They think in those terms.

Don Firth