>>>>Now if I broke into your house and attacked you or your family, then self defense is justified.
>>>
>>>The laws are a little different in Texas, but generally that is true. Although it isn't in the UK.
>>>
>>>>I don't agree. No one, individuals or countries, has the right to attack another based on a perception of
>>>>danger. Not only does there have to be the threat, but the means to carry it out has to exist.
>>>
>>>The means DID once exist in Iraq, Saddam was required under the terms of the 1st Gulf War cease-fire to prove they no longer did, and he did not cooperate.
>>>There was no "innocent until proven guilty" clause in the cease-fire.
>>
>>And again, that's where we don't see eye to eye.
>>
>>Iraq's military was in shambles before we attacked. We destroyed it 15 years ago. They had no real means
>>of projecting force against the United States. Therefore, they were not a threat to us.
>>
>>
>>>
>>>>There are some third world countries in Africa who have no air force, no navy and very small amries. If they threatend the the US, do we go attack them because someday they might actually be capable of following through on that threat?
>>>
>>>Specious arguement.
>>
>>Not if you consider my previous statement. Iraq's military was reduced to that of a third world country.
>
>I remember the first Gulf War. The media kept referring to the “Elite Republican Guard”. The Republican Guard was between Baghdad and the old men on the front line who were drafted and used as cannon fodder. We wiped out a large number of those old men and Powell had the shooting fest called off and allowed the “Elite Republican Guard” to retreat intact.
>
>When we invaded Iraq three years ago the media kept bring up the term “Elite Republican Guard”, and what they were going to do to our troops. The media was wrong.
>
>Seems like Iraq had the third biggest Army in the world around 1990?


Which proved conclusively that there is a hell of a dropoff between #2 and #3. The "Elite Republican Guard" were not elite in any sense other than running.