So you admit they weren't lying, thank you. I'd completely agree that they were hoping Iraq had WMD, but more so because their intelligence apparatus told them so.

Glad we cleared this up.

FYP.

Well boro, I eagerly await the evidence you can provide for that statement. There's plenty evidence that the intelligence community (international community) thought there were WMDs in Iraq, but I'm sure some company's profit will "disprove" my contention and "prove" yours.

isn't Lebanon a democracy?



http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/...sts/index.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...060501144.html

If when one party (Hezbollah) essentially invades the capital and forces the government into a compromise, then sure, it is a democracy.

I'm equally sure that any evidence would have been easily discarded if afforded even the slightest scrutiny.

I was not referring to the profit margins of any corporation, but rather the (immediate post-WWII) position of being the dominant nation that the US has been struggling to preserve circa 1945.

Lebanon is rarely considered a state considering there is no monopoly of force.

OK then boro, peace out!

Im sorry I am trying to find more information regarding your statement but there seems little evidence that they invaded the capital. The articles I have read seem to indicate that they were freely elected through votes. Of course I was not actually there so I can only go on what I read. Could you provide some links to articles describing what your suggesting? I posted a link above from one article amongst many others that talk about "elections" more than "invasions". Of course I try not to believe everything I read.

I do have a few acquaintances who are Lebanese who claim that the people wanted Hezbollah and that it was the US who wanted them removed. According to them (my acquaintances), the people of Lebanon paid a heavy price for not electing a "pro-western" government.

Again I don't believe everything I hear, so some further info is welcomed.

Your friends are right.

Check the date on your source, it is from 2005
http://www.middle-east-online.com/en...nion/?id=26256

Also, the fact that people we don't like won elections doesn't blow up the democracy theory either

Here's the complete text of Colin Powell's pre-war political career ending speech he gave to the UN:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...xt_020503.html

Total number of times he uses the word democracy: 0
Total number of times he uses the word freedom: 0
Total number of times he uses the word weapon: 96

Good thing this was the only speech ever given on this topic. I quit, you win

(Jeez, is this discussion going to continue to be this stupid?)

Hezbollah to end Beirut Seizure via BBC News

Your acquaintances are probably either supporters of Hezbollah or Amal and most likely have a bias against the government which was basically disenfranchising the southern Shias.

Actually I know that the articles are not upto date. It seems that history tends to "evolve" in the US as time progresses. The only articles I can find that actually talk about the elections are from that time. It also seems that when discussing something in the past, it is better to use articles from around that time. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I also am in the process of reading the article you provided but don't see the connection to what I was asking previously. Could you specify where in the article it describes how Hezbollah invaded the capital. Much thanks!

This reminds me of those Japanese soldiers who were found still hiding in caves, ready to fight and die for the Japanese Empire, ten years after WWII ended.

shoxbb6 has a much better article.

Well in your world vaya, anything is possible.

Thank you for the link. The problem I see with the links provided is that they are articles post election (2008). I have yet to find an article or news source that shows Hezbollah invaded the capital. Everything I have read so far seems to indicate that they were freely elected. It was only when they won (which I suppose no one thought was possible), that these news articles being posted popped up ("evolved").

Again I admit my ignorance and would like some more clarification. From what I have read, Lebanon freely elected ( i.e. democracy) Hezbollah. This is the only issue I would like clarification on. TIA!

It doesnt equate to a promotion of democracy when we punish the people for voting the wrong way either.

If I remember correctly there is something like around 80% support for hezbollah to not stand down in Lebanon.

wut?
seriously?

Also, you should note that the article you linked is only 1/4 of the Lebanese elections. Hezbollah did not win control over the government, they won the Shia'a south

Here's another fairly insignificant speech. Not nearly as important as the conversation with Omar Shariff, but I'll post a link anyway.

Bush's Address to the Nation - Ultimatum to Saddam Hussein

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/spee...hiraq31703.htm

Number of times he mentions Democracy:0
Number of times he mentions Freedom:1
Number of times he mentions Weapons:9

Well there's the proof. He throws in one paragraph out of 27 about "bringing liberty and peace to the region". Clearly his main stated intention was to bring Democracy to Iraq.

You win.

The point is that involvement in government moderates terrorist groups because they want to remain in power and changing the government is a long-term project. Our punishment is another incentive to moderate.

You don't, you are thinking about the Israeli invasion, not their support in the Lebanese government.

http://instapundit.com/archives/022447.php

I win

/discussion with you on this topic

Yes I realize that it was from only 1/4. And as I have stated, I am looking for an article dated during the election that discusses the invasion. Can you please perhaps be a little more clear on where you see this being discussed? I may have missed it. TIA