BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin

Subject: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,DSJ
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 12:15 PM

For those interested, the UN Commissioner for Refugees today called for a halt to the bombing of Afghanistan, so relief efforts can resume before the onset of winter.

Go maith, Maire!

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: brid widder
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 12:30 PM

I have no idea how to tackle the problem but I do know that if a wild dog has fleas then you can't kill the fleas by beating the dog!...that's even more true if the dog is hungry

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Amos
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 12:37 PM

I'm afraid this is more the inverse -- a pack of wild dogs disguised as mere fleas. Until they get into the cockpit.

Seriously, I am all for humanitarian gestures, but does the UNHCFR have any suggestions about our best approach against recurrence of the 9-11-01 scenario or variations on same? Or should we cancel all tall buildings, conventions, foreswear gatherings such as Times Square on New Years, and cancel all proms and sessions of the Joint Chiefs until Spring?

Not that it's my decision, of course. Just curious how we "ought" to proceed.

A

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 12:43 PM

It is a conundrum, isn't it? It usually seems to happen that the people pay the price for the government's actions, and is especially distasteful when the people themselves are not at fault.

I don't know the answer either. But I did have this brainstorm over the weekend as I watched two little boys playing outside. (Make-believe is NOT dead, y'all, rejoice!) I think if you assembled a panel of 10-year-olds, and asked them, how would you catch the bad guy... you would get several outlandish answers from people who still know how to use their imagination, and some of those answers just might be crazy enough to work.

Y'all ask your little kids how they'd do this and see what kind of answers you get.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 12:49 PM

A halt is as strategic as it is humanitarian. When the ants come out of their holes it is easier to step on them.

The worst policy in getting rid of fleas on a dog is to set fire to one half the dog and stab the fleas as they run to the safe side. Of course it depends on how much you love the dog.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,Captain America
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 01:57 PM

Just think of the bombings as a nice flea bath for the dog.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Gary T
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 02:19 PM

Hmm, I was under the impression that the bombing phase was about over anyway.

The Taliban has stopped Afghani UN workers from doing their jobs (killed them maybe?--I don't recall) and is charging a big fee to allow use of Afghan roads to deliver relief goods. Seems most attempts at relief efforts are just spinning their wheels until we get the Taliban out of there.

Methinks the good Commissioner has the cart before the horse.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,Kim
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:20 PM

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:23 PM

(darn it, I hit the Enter key accidentally!)

Wasn't that the problem with aid to Somalia? That it was getting there, but the warlords were taking it and not distributing it to the people?

It seems pretty obvious to me that the Taliban is not at all interested in the well-being and safety of the Afghan people. Why are they making asses of themselves on account of one man?

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: GUEST,Boa
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:38 PM

Well, by looks of the responses to this thread, I don't think any of you are in danger of being called upon as experts in foreign policy for the international community.

Have any of you even bothered to read a news article about the Commissioner's comments? About the humanitarian situation on the ground in Afghanistan? Or bothered to even find out which international aid and relief agencies are calling for an end to the bombing?

I thought not.

It's pretty clear the lot of you are full of hot air and bravado, and little substance.

But that's Internet talk forums for you.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 04:58 PM

Pretty easy to pitch a rock Guest Boa. How about you enlighten us?

Since you don't know me let's assume I'm interested.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 09:24 PM

Not that I would advocate listening to the UN to begin with; but shouldnt they be calling for the terrorists to stop and withdraw from perpetrating the murders of innocent civillians from sixty two countries first? Food for thought eh?

Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Gary T
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 09:49 PM

Boa, with your superior intelligence, perhaps you could explain to me how any of the points you raise matter in the least if the Taliban won't let relief get into the country.

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: Bert
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 10:57 PM

Well said Amos! How come they didn't come up with all this rhetoric BEFORE Sept 11th.?

Subject: RE: BS: UN Commissioner Calls for Halt to Bombin
From: sophocleese
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 08:11 PM

The only reason I can see for bombing Afghanistan is to release the turgid tides of pent up testosterone circulating within the male military mind. It has nothing to do with creating a sustainable peace. It has little or no legality, no morality and no more justice than your average inflamed lynch mob. It does not work to make people secure anymore than police sponsored drive-by shootings in supposed "high crime areas" would make you secure. These are bullying tactics only that will hurt those who are already hurt but leave those responsible unharmed and with less resistance within their own country. If they stop the bombing it won't be soon enough for those who have already suffered because of it, their lives are as important as any of the lives lost in the WTC and the Pentagon.