US can handle 2 wars, says Rumsfeld

[Craig]

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/latest/st...,162463,00.html (http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/latest/story/0,4390,162463,00.html)?

US can handle 2 wars, says Rumsfeld

WASHINGTON -- The United States on Monday warned North Korea against using nuclear 'blackmail', while defence chief Donald Rumsfeld insisted the US military could handle a conflict against Iraq and another foe.

Defence Secretary Rumsfeld said diplomacy was the 'perfectly rational' approach to tackling North Korea's nuclear weapons, but also declared that the US, which is building up troops near Iraq, was capable of fighting two conflicts at the same time.

He warned North Korea that it would be a mistake to think the world is too preoccupied with Iraq to take action against its nuclear programme.

Asked about the North's actions at a press briefing, Mr Rumsfeld said: 'I have no reason to believe that you're correct that North Korea feels emboldened because of the world's interest in Iraq. If they do, it would be a mistake.'

Pressed on whether the US can pursue conflicts with Iraq and on another front, Mr Rumsfeld said 'we are perfectly capable of doing that which is necessary'.

As North Korea loomed as a new proliferation crisis for the US administration, Secretary of State Colin Powell also embarked on intense consultations with other international powers after it was revealed that the communist state had moved to reactivate its nuclear research suspected of being used to develop weapons.

Mr Powell spoke to the foreign ministers Jack Straw of Britain, Igor Ivanov of Russia and Dominique de Villepin of France, said state department spokesman Philip Reeker. The Secretary of State had telephoned the Japanese, South Korean, Chinese and Russian foreign ministers over the weekend.

Mr Reeker said: 'We will not give in to blackmail.

'The international community will not enter into dialogue in response to threats or broken commitments. And we're not going to bargain or offer inducements for North Korea to live up to the treaties and agreements that it has signed.'

North Korea heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula by removing United Nations seals and monitoring equipment at a laboratory suspected of being used to produce weapons-grade material, a source close to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

The laboratory is suspected of having reprocessed fuel rods for weapons-grade plutonium before its activities were frozen under a 1994 arms control deal with the US.

'The violation of these international agreements will have consequences for North Korea before the United Nations,' said Mr Reeker. 'North Korea only deepens its international isolation with these recent actions.'

The spokesman urged North Korea to hold talks with the IAEA on restoring the monitoring equipment.

'I'm sure everyone in the international community is seized with the issue, and we'll be following it very closely,' he said.

Mr Reeker also emphasised that the US wants a 'peaceful resolution' and would consult its allies. -- AFP

[ism]

Just chest-puffing. I wouldn't be too concerned with the statement. It was meant to quell the questions differentiating between Iraq and North Korea (mostly talks of oil interests).

[BaiginLong]

hehe that's like saying we can payoff the national debt and still have a surplus, because Bush can't do either properly
we don't need a goddam war ppl
if bush makes any stupid moves I swear I'm calling up my hacker friends and we're taking the red button away from him
:angry:

[TyroneK(prettypretty)]

Well, the whole point of our enormous military buildup during the 1980's and the continued maintenance of such large amounts of arms and soldiers was to be able to fight at two fronts at once. It's not quite bluffing. I'd be pissed off as a taxpayer if we couldn't do it.

[rakovlam]

Not the first time the US handled two wars (Germany & Japan). Though I prefer one quick one after another. Why does everyone talk about the need for a surplus when no one knows what they're talking about. The US would have to jack up taxes (like during the Clinton/Gore admin.) to have a surplus. Japan had a surplus and their economy tanked big time. I rather take my taxes to pay for a missile then on the pork congressman place in the budget. Don't need to pay for a Robert Byrd screwthetaxpayerswithunneccessaryspendingandmyraci stviews center in West Virginia.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by BaiginLong@Dec 25 2002, 09:00 AM
if bush makes any stupid moves I swear I'm calling up my hacker friends and we're taking the red button away from him
:angry:
you do that

[ChairmanMah]

this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.

[pfc beansprout]

yeah..this is exactly what we need to boost the economy..let's declare a war and kill, kill, kill...our money is worth more than blood overseas....maybe this war will distract american voters/critics about the current state of the union...this will be great...



*sarcasm...i really do not like bush.... :pissed:

[axi0m]

Is it just me.. or is this presidency the most.. aggressive in a while? Every time I pick up a paper or browse the net I see quotes coming from Washington about how we're so big and bad and nobody can stop us. All I can say is, I hope I'm in Japan before America gets the &%$* nuked out of it. (Not that North Korea likes Japan any better, but still...)

-Satoshi-

[pfc beansprout]

Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 01:30 PM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
absolutely...remind tupac's lyric: "we go money for wars, but can't feed the poor...." ;)

[rakovlam]

Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 10:30 AM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
Apparently no one here been to the ghetto before. This is the ghetto. You got young men having children out of wedlock a rates higher than anywhere other neighborhoods. Kids grow up without fathers or father figures. That makes them more likely fail in society. Gangs roam the streets 24/7. Police too afraid to patrol the streets. Why? 1. the gangs 2. the fear of being accused of being racist (see Cincinatti). Almost everyone living of welfare and in subsidized housing. Therefore, what's the need for getting a job?

No country could solve their ghetto problems (see above why). Welfare's pretty much a drug. Richard Reid and Zacchorius Moussoui (remember them?) spent their time unemployed plot against America in the welfare state known as Europe. You can hate the US, but there is more to hate in every other country. I challenge anyone who can name a country better than the US.

[rakovlam]

Originally posted by axi0m@Dec 25 2002, 10:39 AM
Is it just me.. or is this presidency the most.. aggressive in a while? Every time I pick up a paper or browse the net I see quotes coming from Washington about how we're so big and bad and nobody can stop us. All I can say is, I hope I'm in Japan before America gets the &%$* nuked out of it. (Not that North Korea likes Japan any better, but still...)

-Satoshi-
so far North Korean missiles can only reach Japan and South Korea. I'd stay here a little longer. Apparently you've never heard of Ronald Reagan (you know, "Star Wars", the Soviet Union is an evil empire, tear down that wall)

[rakovlam]

Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 25 2002, 10:49 AM
Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 01:30 PM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
absolutely...remind tupac's lyric: "we go money for wars, but can't feed the poor...." ;)
Do you know HOW Tupac died? Not an FBI backed assassination. Could it be rival gang members who blames socety for their problem while causing hell to it?

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by rakovlam@Dec 25 2002, 04:33 PM
You can hate the US, but there is more to hate in every other country. I challenge anyone who can name a country better than the US.
actually the U.N. continually votes canada to be the best country in the world to live.

[pfc beansprout]

Originally posted by rakovlam@Dec 25 2002, 04:37 PM
Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 25 2002, 10:49 AM
Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 01:30 PM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
absolutely...remind tupac's lyric: "we go money for wars, but can't feed the poor...." ;)
Do you know HOW Tupac died? Not an FBI backed assassination. Could it be rival gang members who blames socety for their problem while causing hell to it?
cat...take a couple ENTRY level sociology or history level courses...you'll realize the flaws in the system...historically speaking, we did some shady shit...sociologically speaking, the stystem is set up in a way that social movement amongst the classes are RARE-even though we are "known" for equal rights and oppurtunities...don't get me wrong, i live here in the states and was hurt by terrorisim just like the next guy...but being a good citizen does not mean being an ignorant one....

[ism]

Not to devalue the existing merits of the country, but a large amount of what makes Canada so good is its proximity to the United States. If Canada were magically transplanted to Europe (squeezed somewhere between Germany and France and shrunk down) it would be just another European country. In many ways, it seems while the U.S. is ahead technologically, socially it lags behind. The U.S.'s technological advantage is helped tremendously by the vast amount of resources found on its own soil, which is another reason Canada is held in high regard, and why Europe generally is behind. It explains why the U.S. is so interested in Iraq. Oil is the most important resource of the modern age and whoever controls it can control the world. Anyway, I'm veering off point, but basically Canada wouldn't be so great without the U.S.

[pfc beansprout]

Originally posted by ism@Dec 25 2002, 05:53 PM
Not to devalue the existing merits of the country, but a large amount of what makes Canada so good is its proximity to the United States. If Canada were magically transplanted to Europe (squeezed somewhere between Germany and France and shrunk down) it would be just another European country. In many ways, it seems while the U.S. is ahead technologically, socially it lags behind. The U.S.'s technological advantage is helped tremendously by the vast amount of resources found on its own soil, which is another reason Canada is held in high regard, and why Europe generally is behind. It explains why the U.S. is so interested in Iraq. Oil is the most important resource of the modern age and whoever controls it can control the world. Anyway, I'm veering off point, but basically Canada wouldn't be so great without the U.S.
hmmm..what about mexico?

[wylin]

Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 25 2002, 10:49 AM
Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 01:30 PM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
absolutely...remind tupac's lyric: "we go money for wars, but can't feed the poor...." ;)
i got a solution make poor, people soldiers and put them on the front lines. bam kills 2 problrms w/ one stone, let them either become good soldiers or die. :dance:

or if their too old they can become soylent green!

[pfc beansprout]

heh..soylent green....

anyhow, so you are sayin force the lower class off to wars and deaths? that's what we need, soldiers w/o a cause-but, with nukes... :ph34r:

[rakovlam]

Then again, the U.N thinks libya should chair the committee of human rights. They put as the chair of the security council. Doesn't think Taiwan is a seperate nation. Thinks Israel is the biggest human rights abusers despite surrounded by Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia (don't get out of the burning building until you have ur burkas on properly), Iraq (no comment), Iran. Screw Canada and its socialized medicine, GST, EST, gun control laws, terrorist haven. Man, we really need the sarascm fonts.

[wylin]

Originally posted by rakovlam@Dec 25 2002, 06:24 PM
Then again, the U.N thinks libya should chair the committee of human rights. They put as the chair of the security council. Doesn't think Taiwan is a seperate nation. Thinks Israel is the biggest human rights abusers despite surrounded by Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia (don't get out of the burning building until you have ur burkas on properly), Iraq (no comment), Iran. Screw Canada and its socialized medicine, GST, EST, gun control laws, terrorist haven. Man, we really need the sarascm fonts.
use ittallics or underlined fonts!

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by rakovlam@Dec 25 2002, 09:24 PM
Doesn't think Taiwan is a seperate nation.
news flash. only a few third world countries think that taiwan is a seperate nation.

[MellowDrama]

Originally posted by wylin@Dec 25 2002, 05:32 PM
Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 25 2002, 10:49 AM
Originally posted by ChairmanMah@Dec 25 2002, 01:30 PM
this is what i hate about the u.s.

the government can spend money on two wars and some useless nasa research, yet they can't solve the problems in their own ghettos.
absolutely...remind tupac's lyric: "we go money for wars, but can't feed the poor...." ;)
i got a solution make poor, people soldiers and put them on the front lines. bam kills 2 problrms w/ one stone, let them either become good soldiers or die. :dance:

or if their too old they can become soylent green!
Been there, done that. They did that in the Vietnam War, and look where it got us.

Other than that, great point!

[ChairmanMah]

Originally posted by ism@Dec 25 2002, 10:53 PM
Anyway, I'm veering off point, but basically Canada wouldn't be so great without the U.S.
Don't say canada wouldn't be that great if it wasn't for the u.s.

that's why richer american companies search canada for new ideas and technologies to buy.

We may use the u.s. for their market but i think the americans scout for our talent.

[ChairmanMah]

Originally posted by ism@Dec 25 2002, 10:53 PM
Not to devalue the existing merits of the country, but a large amount of what makes Canada so good is its proximity to the United States. If Canada were magically transplanted to Europe (squeezed somewhere between Germany and France and shrunk down) it would be just another European country. In many ways, it seems while the U.S. is ahead technologically, socially it lags behind. The U.S.'s technological advantage is helped tremendously by the vast amount of resources found on its own soil, which is another reason Canada is held in high regard, and why Europe generally is behind. It explains why the U.S. is so interested in Iraq. Oil is the most important resource of the modern age and whoever controls it can control the world. Anyway, I'm veering off point, but basically Canada wouldn't be so great without the U.S.
besides as a trading partner, our proximity to the u.s. is also due to the fact that the further north you go, the colder it gets.

[Andrew]

Originally posted by tazadar@Dec 25 2002, 05:52 PM
This is pure diplomatic stupidity. What can this display of arrogance accomplish? The Bush II Administration has to be the dumbest presidency in US history.
How so? In less than two years, they've gone from a dubious election to achieve their objectives -- a much more regressive tax vs. benefits structure, a massive military buildup, an across-the-board Republican majority, a cowed Democratic opposition -- in stunning fashion. Now commentators are calling them the most powerful White House since LBJ. Sure, they've had more than their share of luck, but it hasn't all been dumb luck.

[pfc beansprout]

Originally posted by Andrew@Dec 26 2002, 03:50 AM
How so? In less than two years, they've gone from a dubious election to achieve their objectives -- a much more regressive tax vs. benefits structure, a massive military buildup, an across-the-board Republican majority, a cowed Democratic opposition -- in stunning fashion. Now commentators are calling them the most powerful White House since LBJ. Sure, they've had more than their share of luck, but it hasn't all been dumb luck.
i just had a quick question....i don't know-so i'm not 'stickin ya'....wasn't there a bill, law now maybe..some reform that took away soc security or 401k? and allowed taxpayers to use that income toward the heh.."stock market?" like i said, i'm not familar/didn't follow this bill and it's outcome...wonder why it doesn't get much news especially since the market took a tumble this year.... :confused:

[pfc beansprout]

~oh, and i'm not gonna get started on the admin's enviromental (deregulation/lack of) "policy" :angry: <_<

[wylin]

Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 26 2002, 03:42 AM
~oh, and i'm not gonna get started on the admin's enviromental (deregulation/lack of) "policy" :angry: <_<
who cares bout making the air cleaner, it already comes out cleaner afters its been inducted and combusted in my engine! screw CARB and the EPA!

[ism]

Originally posted by pfc beansprout@Dec 25 2002, 06:29 PM
hmmm..what about mexico?
What I said: Canada magically transplanted to Europe would be just as good as any other European country.

Magically transplant Mexico to Europe and it would still be Mexico. Canada as a first world country is made better with the U.S. near it. Mexico as a third world country is made better with the U.S. near it as well, but it still wouldn't be a first world country. Canada is also predominantly Caucasian, which is a major factor. Canadian citizens can cross over the border quite easily, while Mexican citizens have a bit more trouble. Both countries benefit from stuff like NAFTA, but who benefitted the most? The peso tanked right after the agreement was put in effect and the Canadian economy suffered to bail it out. That was a decade ago, and Mexico today isn't as much of a shithole as it should be.

[SunWuKong]

Originally posted by ism@Dec 26 2002, 04:01 PM
What I said: Canada magically transplanted to Europe would be just as good as any other European country.

Magically transplant Mexico to Europe and it would still be Mexico. Canada as a first world country is made better with the U.S. near it. Mexico as a third world country is made better with the U.S. near it as well, but it still wouldn't be a first world country. Canada is also predominantly Caucasian, which is a major factor. Canadian citizens can cross over the border quite easily, while Mexican citizens have a bit more trouble. Both countries benefit from stuff like NAFTA, but who benefitted the most? The peso tanked right after the agreement was put in effect and the Canadian economy suffered to bail it out. That was a decade ago, and Mexico today isn't as much of a shithole as it should be.
yeah there're actually many illegal canadian workers in the US. it's just that they're racially indistinguishable so they don't get caught. either that or the US turns a blind eye...

[TyroneK(prettypretty)]

Originally posted by SunWuKung@Dec 26 2002, 02:32 AM
news flash. &nbsp;only a few third world countries think that taiwan is a seperate nation.
International compliance with the reality of the world's power balance doesn't mean that the world subscribes to a correct assessment of whether a nation like Taiwan has achieved a valid, independent statehood.

But that's not the point of the thread.

The whole power of international law comes with voluntary compliance from those who subscribe to it. Unfortunately, that means that people often opt out of laws that inconvenience them. That's what allows N. Korea and Iraq to circumvent international norms and America to basically do what it wants as long as it makes a token effort to appease everyone else. Until the UN gets some real enforcement power and as long as America is the world's premier superpower, the US can do what it wants and we just have to hope that it does the right thing. I don't doubt that the US can handle 2 wars. I just hope they're the right 2 wars.

Reality, like reality tv, sucks.

[rakovlam]

When Mt. Edna erupted a few weeks ago, it probably released more greenhouse gases than all automobiles in the world combined. Same thing happened a few decades ago with Mt. Pinatubo in the Phillipines. The gases from that volcanoe partially covered the sun thus there was global cooling for a year or so.