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From: pector@ihuxw.UUCP (Scott W. Pector)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Jackson and the Democrats
Message-ID: <655@ihuxw.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Jan-84 20:33:53 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxw.655
Posted: Mon Jan  9 20:33:53 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Jan-84 03:23:38 EST
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Mike,

First of all, I'm not Mr. Prector; my last name is Pector.  (I'm not
mad about your misspelling, just amused and thankful it didn't become
Peckor :-)).  Second, I'm not certain my hypothetical case is absurd.
If the Syrians care so much about world opinion, why are they around
the Beirut area in the first place, particularly now that Israel has
withdrawn from a significant part of the area they held in Lebanon.  Yes,
Syria has its own interests and rationally, I suppose, pursues them.
But what interest do they have in maintaining good relations with the
US?  Why should that be important to them?  Look at Cuba, do they need
the US for anything?  If my memory is correct, I can't remember when
the Syrians were last on wonderful terms with the US.

The actual hypothetical instance was not important.  The point was that
Jackson took a big responsibility into his hands and I disagreed with
his method.  That responsibility was that of the US government alone,
not some PRIVATE individual, particularly a presidential candidate.
Mike, you didn't reply to the rest of my article; I'm interested in your
thoughts.  Remember, although we may agree there swere some good results
from Jackson's venture, is what he did a good precedent?  Is what he
did the right thing to do in all similar circumstances? Who is to decide
(if one believes Jackson was right in what he did) when Jackson's should
or should not be applied?  These points are discussed in more detail
in my original article.  I grant that I personally do not like Reverend
Jackson, but I am making the best effort I can to prevent that from influencing
my arguments.  If you see me failing in that regard, let me know; I am trying
to argue against an action that I believe could have been taken by anyone
since such an action is a dangerous precedent, if not risky by itself.

						Scott Pector