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From: bzs@bu-cs.UUCP (Barry Shein)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Air raid on Libya
Message-ID: <470@bu-cs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Apr-86 14:15:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: bu-cs.470
Posted: Wed Apr 23 14:15:00 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 27-Apr-86 17:19:07 EDT
Organization: Boston Univ Comp. Sci.
Lines: 46


Over and over again people in favor of the air raid keep saying "What
else could we have done?", no matter how many times they are told, oh
well, they'll probably ignore this one also:

DEFUSE THE PALESTINIAN SITUATION BY CONSTRUCTIVE ACTION

That is, get the PLO, Israel, Jordan and whoever else is appropriate
to the bargaining table and just settle it. The US could offer to
foot at least part of the resultant bill for putting the plan in
action (why? why not, it's either that or replacing those F-111s
and bombs etc we are using, not to mention the implicit cost of
terrorism, either way it will cost the US plenty.) I am not saying
that we should bear all the cost, but if they can bargain it down
to a purchase order, sign it.

Easy to say? Maybe, but it sure hasn't been tried with any sincerity.

Now this isn't the only gripe Khaddaffi and his ilk have in the Middle
East, but it is their battle cry, defuse it, for those of you who
like revenge I assure you the US going in and resolving this in a
positive way will make Khaddaffi 10X more furious than a few bombs,
it will steal his thunder and quite possibly put the US in a positive
light in the area if handled well.

It is not at all clear that the bombing had any good effect, quite
probably the opposite. Now we have re-assured any doubters in the
area that the US gives and the world takes, people don't seem to
understand that the Arab world really resents US intervention, hopefully
though they would tolerate us acting as a mediator rather than dictator
(in the generic sense of the word) in the area.

Ok? Not so unreasonable. Please, don't immediately assume that throwing
a few bombs at a Libyan airport accomplishes anything or is somehow
justified, it may very well not be of any use. Without immediately
yielding to your anger (Nuke Em!) think a little, be clever, state a
goal (ending the terrorism) and go for it in a clever way, don't
just satisfy your bloodlust (cutting off your nose to spite your face.)

If you think it's only the 'liberals' who opposed the bombing, note
that Cap Weinberger also opposed it, it's not that kind of issue, he
also apparently could not see what good it would do as proposed but
apparently Schultz won out. Of course, once the decision was made he
would support his president.

	-Barry Shein, Boston University