Page 1 of 1

Side question on the Iraq situation

Posted: February 14, 2003, 4:00 pm
by Voronwë
2 nights agon on "NewsHour" they had an amazing dialogue segment.

the person who was against war at this point was a woman chair of something like the Carnegie Center for International something something. she made a case for having "coercive inspections", meaning the only way to have meaningful inspections is to literally militarily occupy regions that will be inspected, restricting traffic and preventing some of the shenanigans, etc. was an interesting idea.

but that is not the point of my post.

both this woman and the man who was espousing the position that war is the only solution BOTH AGREED that Hans Blix did a poor job of choosing the people that are currently on the inspection team.

the man said something about it, and the woman agreed almost casually as if this was common knowledge.

it was the first i had heard of it, and i havent really heard that elsewhere. Has anybody else? if so could you elaborate on what that means?

thanks.

Posted: February 14, 2003, 4:12 pm
by Neost
Can't vouch for the source, haven't ever been to their site before. Apparently he was involved in a big fuckup involving some radioactive materials:

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york100102.asp
So Blix is, in the view of a number of people of differing philosophical viewpoints, insufficiently aggressive, responsible for a momentous arms-inspection failure, and, on top of it all, Saddam Hussein's choice for the job of inspecting Saddam Hussein's weapons installations. Is there anything that can be said in his favor?

Posted: February 14, 2003, 5:10 pm
by Midnyte_Ragebringer
If I recall correctly, the NationalReview is a right wing news source.

I still say this is all an attempt to delay war by distracting people from the fact that the onus is not on the inspectors, but Saddam.

Posted: February 14, 2003, 5:18 pm
by Voronwë
i would characterize the National Review as "conservative commentary" more than "right wing news source".

6 1/2 dozen the other to some people i guess. i do think some of the editorials are very good, though i don't read it often.

i guess i was more asking about the people Blix chose to inspect, not so much his credentials (which i had heard about).

Posted: February 14, 2003, 5:21 pm
by Adex_Xeda
You know now that you mention I did hear on the radio that Blix was involved with something in the past that pissed a lot of people off. I just can't remember the details atm.....

where could I look that up....

Posted: February 14, 2003, 5:23 pm
by Midnyte_Ragebringer
Conservative commentary is better indeed, btu then again you have always had a better way to say everything :)

Any idea how I can say "Fuck you Boss, I want that day off and that's that motherfucker!"?

Posted: February 14, 2003, 6:53 pm
by Neost
"I need a mental health day"

Posted: February 14, 2003, 6:54 pm
by Midnyte_Ragebringer
Thanks Neost :) lol

Posted: February 14, 2003, 6:58 pm
by Forthe
The US wanted more american inspectors. I believe Blix resisted having a repeat of the first inspection team and resisted pressure to add more americans.

I'm sure Blix will get slammed in the media now that he didn't give a negative report - If you are not with us your against us.

Posted: February 14, 2003, 7:09 pm
by Fallanthas
Actually, I would slam him for not taking any kind of a position whatsoever.

Note: I don't mean politically, but the man can't even answer as to whether more inspectors or a longer inspection period would accomplish anything. One day "We need more time". next day "Further inspections are doomed to failure unless the climate in Iraq changes dramatically."

How the hell can anyone make a decent decision when the so-called 'expert can't answer that type of question?

Posted: February 14, 2003, 7:13 pm
by kyoukan
I don't know the specifics of the members that are actually on the inspection team, but I know a lot of people (mostly americans) feel that Blix isn't being stern enough with the Iraqi government in terms of getting the job done.

Blix isn't really a hard ass, and the UN needs a hard ass to get the shit done. Many times the inspection teams have stood around wasting an entire day waiting for someone to come by that is authorized to unlock a door (despite the fact that Iraq has at least a day's notice in most cases).

Someone who doesn't take any shit would be a better candidate to run these inspections. Blix doesn't take advantage of the fact that he is in a situation where he could pretty much do anything to get the job done expediently. Iraq knows that if they outright deny access to someone who is more demanding, then Bush is going to roll into Baghdad on his faithful white stallion and start blowing up everything he sees.

The UN needs someone who instead of standing around at a locked door, would get his UN escort soliders to kick it down. And if it's too heavy to kick it down, then blow it up. Iraq isn't in a position to stop them from doing their job.

Posted: February 14, 2003, 9:03 pm
by Kelshara
One day "We need more time". next day "Further inspections are doomed to failure unless the climate in Iraq changes dramatically."
heh actually he changed his view slightly after having talks with US Officials... you can make up your own mind about that as I am sure you will do anyway.

Posted: February 14, 2003, 11:24 pm
by Fash
I'm with Kyou on this one :!:

Posted: February 14, 2003, 11:32 pm
by Atokal
kyoukan type-R wrote:I don't know the specifics of the members that are actually on the inspection team, but I know a lot of people (mostly americans) feel that Blix isn't being stern enough with the Iraqi government in terms of getting the job done.

Blix isn't really a hard ass, and the UN needs a hard ass to get the shit done. Many times the inspection teams have stood around wasting an entire day waiting for someone to come by that is authorized to unlock a door (despite the fact that Iraq has at least a day's notice in most cases).

Someone who doesn't take any shit would be a better candidate to run these inspections. Blix doesn't take advantage of the fact that he is in a situation where he could pretty much do anything to get the job done expediently. Iraq knows that if they outright deny access to someone who is more demanding, then Bush is going to roll into Baghdad on his faithful white stallion and start blowing up everything he sees.

The UN needs someone who instead of standing around at a locked door, would get his UN escort soliders to kick it down. And if it's too heavy to kick it down, then blow it up. Iraq isn't in a position to stop them from doing their job.
/nod

Posted: February 15, 2003, 1:36 am
by Vaemas
Damn. For once I agree with Kyou... :shock:

Posted: February 15, 2003, 2:00 am
by Midnyte_Ragebringer
kyoukan type-R wrote:I don't know the specifics of the members that are actually on the inspection team, but I know a lot of people (mostly americans) feel that Blix isn't being stern enough with the Iraqi government in terms of getting the job done.

Blix isn't really a hard ass, and the UN needs a hard ass to get the shit done. Many times the inspection teams have stood around wasting an entire day waiting for someone to come by that is authorized to unlock a door (despite the fact that Iraq has at least a day's notice in most cases).

Someone who doesn't take any shit would be a better candidate to run these inspections. Blix doesn't take advantage of the fact that he is in a situation where he could pretty much do anything to get the job done expediently. Iraq knows that if they outright deny access to someone who is more demanding, then Bush is going to roll into Baghdad on his faithful white stallion and start blowing up everything he sees.

The UN needs someone who instead of standing around at a locked door, would get his UN escort soliders to kick it down. And if it's too heavy to kick it down, then blow it up. Iraq isn't in a position to stop them from doing their job.
I agree. Are you like a fucking Cybill or something? Every now and then you make a post and you sound like a normal fucking person. Weird.

Posted: February 15, 2003, 2:02 am
by Hammerstalker PE
Yup Kyoukan has hit the nail on the proverbial head this time!

Posted: February 15, 2003, 2:22 am
by kyoukan
ok I am going to have to re-think my position. if so many stupid people agree with me, something must be wrong with it.

Posted: February 15, 2003, 2:25 am
by Fash
leave it to beaver :lol:

Posted: February 15, 2003, 10:47 am
by Krimson Klaw
lol

Posted: February 15, 2003, 11:46 am
by Fallanthas
Very well said, Kyoukan.

Blix is a diplomat, and what they need for the job is a cop.

Posted: February 15, 2003, 1:42 pm
by Kilmoll the Sexy
Someone hacked Kyoukan. Can you please verify the IP address Xuo or Pyrella?

Posted: February 15, 2003, 3:01 pm
by masteen
I think Kyoukan just summed up exactly what is pissing both sides off about the UN inspectors. If Blix were kicking doors down, and not letting Iraq slide, Bush's position would look like warmongering to a lot more people, Americans included.

Posted: February 15, 2003, 4:39 pm
by Voronwë
polls released this morning have Americans wanting more inspections by around 60+%. (as opposed to war in the short

source: CBS/NYTimes.


not that you should just check the polls, but i post that for the non-Americans who probably think we are all rapid bloodthirsty bastards =)

Posted: February 15, 2003, 6:52 pm
by masteen
Funny, I logged on my mom's AOL account, took their poll and over 60% want the war, even if we have to go it alone.

I bet the difference between the polls is about 40 IQ points in the CNN demographic's favor tho :P

Posted: February 15, 2003, 6:58 pm
by Fash
CNN is torturous to listen to. Carrottop is still worse though.

Posted: February 15, 2003, 10:29 pm
by Midnyte_Ragebringer
Carrott Top rulez!

Posted: February 15, 2003, 10:53 pm
by Adex_Xeda
I found a nibble about why some people didn't like Hans Blix leading this.


Still, it's not only Blix's more diplomatic style that might alarm the White House — there's also the fact that the Swede served as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1981-1997, during which time both Iraq and North Korea managed to pursue undetected nuclear weapons programs. Again, though, Blix counters that the IAEA is only as good as the intelligence

-Time Magizine
http://www.time.com/time/pow/article/0, ... 36,00.html

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:26 pm
by kyoukan
Image
MECHA COMMUNIST POWER PUNCH!

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:36 pm
by Krimson Klaw
What an imagination those kids have.

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:38 pm
by kyoukan
Image
EAT GIANT NORTH KOREAN BULLETS IMPERIALIST AGGRESOR!

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:39 pm
by Krimson Klaw
Oh no, they are attacking us with giant brown dildos, cunning!

Crayola....the paint of champions.

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:42 pm
by kyoukan
Image
ONLY A FOOL WOULD RISE UP AGAINST THE MIGHT OF THE PEOPLE

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:43 pm
by Krimson Klaw
Now they attack us with armpit odor! new bio weps?

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:43 pm
by kyoukan
what

Posted: February 17, 2003, 2:44 pm
by Krimson Klaw
huh?

Posted: February 17, 2003, 6:56 pm
by Rikk Wolvenkin
Has the United States EVER been the aggresor in a war before? Seems to me this would be the first time, that makes me a bit nervous, the world in general doesn't like aggressors. It would suck to see WWIII where its everyone VS America.