Syria Disintegrating: Part 2

[derspiess]

We'd still have our fingerprints all over it, as far as most of the world is concerned.  The French would fuck it all up & we'd be stuck with the blame.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't, so who cares about that?

Then go with the option that costs less money.

[garbon]

We'd still have our fingerprints all over it, as far as most of the world is concerned.  The French would fuck it all up & we'd be stuck with the blame.

We're damned if we do and damned if we don't, so who cares about that?

Then go with the option that costs less money.

Why? Why shouldn't we just do what we think is best (which may or may not coincide with the cheapest option)?

[derspiess]

Meh, compared to what has been spent in Iraq, Afghanistan or other interventions it was cheap for getting rid of Qaddafi and with less long term commitment.

I don't care what it cost relative to Iraq, Afghanistan, WWII, or whatever.  The absolute cost is what's important.  We spent a lot of money we didn't have on a war that IMO did not serve our national interests.  While it was cool to see Qaddafi get whacked and then used as a ventriloquist doll, I think we should've let someone else foot the bill.

Our involvement in Libya was absolutely money well spent (and pretty darn cheap too). 

Yours might have been, for all I know.  Any idea what Canada spent?

[derspiess]

Why? Why shouldn't we just do what we think is best (which may or may not coincide with the cheapest option)?

Okay, then what is best.  Thought you said we were damned if we do, damned if we don't.

[Razgovory]

Meh, compared to what has been spent in Iraq, Afghanistan or other interventions it was cheap for getting rid of Qaddafi and with less long term commitment.

I don't care what it cost relative to Iraq, Afghanistan, WWII, or whatever.  The absolute cost is what's important.  We spent a lot of money we didn't have on a war that IMO did not serve our national interests.  While it was cool to see Qaddafi get whacked and then used as a ventriloquist doll, I think we should've let someone else foot the bill.

Our involvement in Libya was absolutely money well spent (and pretty darn cheap too). 

Yours might have been, for all I know.  Any idea what Canada spent?

Did you think Iraq served our interests?

[garbon]

Why? Why shouldn't we just do what we think is best (which may or may not coincide with the cheapest option)?

Okay, then what is best.  Thought you said we were damned if we do, damned if we don't.

We are - as in opinion by other nations/groups...so I don't see why we don't simply do what we think is best and leaving the hand-wringers to their hand-wrining.

[Barrister]

How much do you think the US spent.  A billion dollars?

I'd pay a billion dollars to get rid of Qadaffi in exchange for a sort-of democracy in a second.

Canada sent 7 planes and a couple of ships.  Pretty sure you could add them up to $50 or $500 mil.

[Malthus]

Meh, compared to what has been spent in Iraq, Afghanistan or other interventions it was cheap for getting rid of Qaddafi and with less long term commitment.

I don't care what it cost relative to Iraq, Afghanistan, WWII, or whatever.  The absolute cost is what's important.  We spent a lot of money we didn't have on a war that IMO did not serve our national interests.  While it was cool to see Qaddafi get whacked and then used as a ventriloquist doll, I think we should've let someone else foot the bill.

Our involvement in Libya was absolutely money well spent (and pretty darn cheap too). 

Yours might have been, for all I know.  Any idea what Canada spent?

Better watch that bragging about Canada's relative welath, BB. We'lll be asked to pay a bigger share of expenses next time. 

[Barrister]

Meh, compared to what has been spent in Iraq, Afghanistan or other interventions it was cheap for getting rid of Qaddafi and with less long term commitment.

I don't care what it cost relative to Iraq, Afghanistan, WWII, or whatever.  The absolute cost is what's important.  We spent a lot of money we didn't have on a war that IMO did not serve our national interests.  While it was cool to see Qaddafi get whacked and then used as a ventriloquist doll, I think we should've let someone else foot the bill.

Our involvement in Libya was absolutely money well spent (and pretty darn cheap too). 

Yours might have been, for all I know.  Any idea what Canada spent?

Better watch that bragging about Canada's relative welath, BB. We'lll be asked to pay a bigger share of expenses next time. 

Well I for one think Canada should do a better job at sharing the welath internationally.

[derspiess]

Did you think Iraq served our interests?

I think the invasion did.  But I don't think that's relevant to this conversation.

[derspiess]

How much do you think the US spent.  A billion dollars?

Best I could find on a cursory search was a billion as of last August.  Don't know how much we spent after that. 

I'd pay a billion dollars to get rid of Qadaffi in exchange for a sort-of democracy in a second.

That's fine for you.  My country is flat broke & can't afford to blow our money on stuff like that.

[DGuller]

But apparently it can afford to blow a trillion dollars on Iraq.

[Darth Wagtaros]

LOL, Russia and China at it again, cock-blocking the Security Council on sanctions "just because".

Its just because they are sociopathic kleptocracies.

[derspiess]

But apparently it can afford to blow a trillion dollars on Iraq.

First, I would not have spent that much.  Secondly, you people stop bringing up Iraq.  Thirdly, spending too much money on one thing is not justification to spend additional money (even if a smaller amount) on something else later.

[frunk]

That's fine for you.  My country is flat broke & can't afford to blow our money on stuff like that.

We waste a billion dollars on weapon systems we never use, or pork barrel projects to nowhere.  Getting rid of a crappy dictator for a billion dollars?  That's a bargain you can't pass up.  Hell, for a billion dollars a pop we could change the regime of every country in the world for what it cost to occupy Iraq each year.