Get a load of this fascist!

[Barney Gumble]

"No matter what we do in Iraq today, sooner or later it will be ruled by a strong man. We must make sure it is someone who owes us; and not someone who has risen to popularity by opposing us and by promoting the fantasy needs of his people."

"...not only must the strong man be prepared to give such commands, but the people to whom he gives them must also be prepared to obey them, and to do so without a moment's reflection, as automatically as the impulse from our brain travels through our nervous system in order to lift our right arm."

"...a strong man must be able to count not merely on the promptness of his followers in carrying out his commands, but on their willingness to use lethal force to compel other people to carry out these commands as well."

"If this sounds like a return to the old Cold War strategy of giving our financial and military support to authoritarian regimes so long as they are willing to play by our rules, you are right. That is exactly what I am advocating."

I myself would like to punt this fascist bastard right into the middle of one of those authoritarian regimes he's so fond of. You can read the whole thing here: http://www.techcentralstation.com/091703A.html

[LightTheMatch]

1. So, basically

He's saying the only thing wrong with Saddam was that he didn't "owe us" anymore.

[Brucey]

2. US uber alles!

[DIKB]

3. He's right you know. . .

I mean look at the great way this has worked in the past. The US sets up an Authoritarian Regime that is loyal to America first, the people love us unconditionally, EVERYONE WINS.

Just look at how well it worked in Afghanistan in the 80s. . . ummm wait-a-minute, well what about that leader in Iraq and his rise to power. . . oh yeah.

hold on a second, IT'S NEVER WORKED AND IT NEVER WILL.

Someone needs to beat this guy over the head with a 2x4.

[Warren Stuart]

4. If he's looking for a "Strong Man" I've got just the guy

Saddam Hussein, according to his criteria he is exactly the fellow that is needed to do the job.

[realFedUp]

5. Lee Harris- author

Title: Against Neo-Carterism
By Lee Harris Published 09/17/2003

I think it's a valid theory he presents...maybe
more realistic than thinking Iraq can become
a Democracy at this point.

[Francis]

6. I agree

democracy usa style does not necessarily fit all

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. I think Harris' analysis of history is tripe

His claim that a 'strong man' sets up order doesn't apply at all to either the USA or Britain.

The USA's constitution and initial state of law and order, after the revolution against the British was over, was in no way established by one man. After that, there were no major changes until the Civil War. Lincoln may have been key to getting it reunited in the Civil War, but he wasn't going from anarchy to stability, as Harris is talking about; he was joining two parts.

In Britain (in fact England), the last 'strong man' was Oliver Cromwell. While everyone obeyed him, he left behind a hopeless system - close to anarchy - which was solved by inviting Charles II back, but telling him he no longer had absolute power. When his successor, James II, seemed to be aiming for absolute power again, he was kicked out, and it was made clear to the next monarchs (William III and Mary II) theat they definitely had limits on their power. Since then, no politician or monarch acted as a strong man. The system was still far from perfect then (otherwise the USA would be part of Canada), but the evolution never depended on one person.
Add to that the fact that Cromwell was more responsible than any other single man for the mistreatment of the Irish, and the subsequent problems that caused, and you can see that a tyrant whose word is followed unquestioningly is bad news all round.

One country which his claim might be applied to is France - there was a chaos before Napoleon, and he did leave a legacy in the legal system. He also had Europe at war for nearly 20 years.

He gives Spain as an example too. It fits his criteria; but which would you have rather lived in from the 1930s to the 1970s - Spain, or Sweden? Just because countries can recover from a dictator, it doesn't mean that's the only way to get to a just society.

[Warren Stuart]

8. I strongly take issue with your assertion

This individual suggests replacing Saddam with another Saddam, he advocates the use of deadly force to impose order.

Excuse me, but what was the point of the Nuremburg Trials?

If murder is a valid means of maintaining peace, then count me out.

Let the Iraqis decide for themselves how they are to be ruled, we've done enough damage. We should declare victory and get the hell out of there.

This is an Iraqi problem, the only way to solve it is with an Iraqi solution.

[DuctapeFatwa]

9. That's just US policy, bipartisan and long-standing

It is not in the interests of ordinary Americans, but it has been proven to increase revenues for US financial interests, particularly in the defense and energy sectors.