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From: sigma@usl.UUCP (Spyridon Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Re: Euromissiles in Belgium (please bear with us...)
Message-ID: <258@usl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 2-Feb-85 17:38:09 EST
Article-I.D.: usl.258
Posted: Sat Feb  2 17:38:09 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 4-Feb-85 04:40:20 EST
Organization: USL, Lafayette, LA
Lines: 54

" " = ME and > is Dave Rubin

>If this is your position, how then would you answer these questions?
>
>	(1) If the people change their minds, does the national
>		interest change with it? 

People have the right to change their minds. Then, if enough public
pressure can be put on the government, the subject can be brought up
on a PUBLIC, NATIONAL vote (not a Gallup poll).

>	(2) If the people desire something morally wrong, does the
>		national interest demand immorality?
>	(3) If the people desire something patently stupid, does the
>		fulfillment of that desire advance the national interest?
>	(4) (For fans of self-reference): If the people should decide
>		to terminate their nationhood, does national interest
>		demand its own destruction?

See net.philosophy or something more poetic. How did you derive all these??

> The implication that it is the right wing exclusively which favors the
> deployment of the cruise missiles is false. 
> ........
> why haven't the governments taken the politcally popular action which they
> themselves have no qualms about?  

All antimissile supporters are viewed as extermists in Europe, 
something more of a novelty... Also, you forget the political and
economic pressure put on to European countries, and the fear of Pierre 
L'Average or Hans Averagen (Our Joe Averages) of another war.
They fear the Red Bear and instead of uniting they join forces UNDER NATO.

> To be quite frank, the deployment of the Euromissiles 
> decreases the chance that the US could successfully limit a war to Europe...
 
How did you get this? The current trend is "Limited Nuclear War" which could
wipe out most Europe (east and west) before Uncles Sam & Ivan even notice it.
How can the chances be decreased?? By putting more oil in the fire or by
mutual threat  caused by excessive arms buildup.   

As about the biased attitude caused by my origin, I HAVE LIVED there, 
I HAVE SEEN how MY people think about it, and, after all, it is MY country.
What do you know about Greeks' opinions? As much as I know about US opinions.
And, I did not disqualify you, unless you consider you already know more
than me about Greece, Italy, their people, lifes and opinions....

Let's face it. The missiles will be put there. European countries will
have to accept it due to inside and outside pressure. Then, why are 
we flaming each other?  

-- Spiros Triantafyllopoulos         /*  In  the  deaf  man's   door,
-- USL Computer Science Dept.            there is a bell with a light  */
-- {ut-sally, akgua}!usl!sigma           -- Old  Greek Proverb ---