[FoxTrot9R]

Oh man let these people deal with their own shite. We have too many loose ends to tie up, we dont need anymore

[Mekong Delta]

Originally Posted by Sanin

Obviously the only way to know for sure is to let them, but as long as Suu Kyi is head of the government I see no reason why everyone couldn't play nice. The Saddam effect was also exacerbated by us, unlike Iraq we wouldn't need to stay as they already have an educated expatriot community and an idolized leader who has given her life to the promise of a democratic Burma. And obviously its not an exact comparison, but African slaves often came from rival warring tribes, but once under the yoke of American or French slave states they had a common cause to unite behind.

You forgot China.

The military junta is heavily supported by Beijing, because of China's own counter-drug effort. If you want to topple the junta, then you have to go through China to do it. I don't see why China would trade a regime that helps to suppress opium farming for a woman that is frenidly with the West and possibly hostile to China.

[Sanin]

Originally Posted by Mekong Delta

What is it with American chickenhawks lately? Keep on asking do we invade this? Attack that?

I am getting the feeling some Americans are developing an addiction for war. It seems to me that War in Iraq, War on Drugs, War on Terror and War on crime simply can't satisfy their junkie fix anymore.

It's nothing new. America has been a country looking for a fight since the Revolution.

[Saith]

Originally Posted by Sanin

It's nothing new. America has been a country looking for a fight since the Revolution.

Ummm, which revolution? Clearly you don't mean the American Revolution based on your statement.

[Mekong Delta]

Originally Posted by Sanin

It's nothing new. America has been a country looking for a fight since the Revolution.

Erm no U.S. used to be pretty cool before WWII. Minding their own business and all. After 1950's, it just seemed to stick its nose everywhere and it's growing worse.

[Sanin]

Originally Posted by Mekong Delta

You forgot China.

The military junta is heavily supported by Beijing, because of China's own counter-drug effort. If you want to topple the junta, then you have to go through China to do it. I don't see why China would trade a regime that helps to suppress opium farming for a woman that is frenidly with the West and possibly hostile to China.

I’m not forgetting China. If you do it right now China wouldn't have a choice. With all the bad press around Tibet and the Olympics their hands would be tied. A quick strike on military targets followed by a small scale invasion and it should be over in a month. Install Suu Kyi as the democratically elected President and bring her to the Olympics for a meet and greet with the Chinese government. Suu Kyi is smart, if good relations with China is what it takes for a free Burma then that is what would happen.

[Sanin]

Originally Posted by Mekong Delta

Erm no U.S. used to be pretty cool before WWII. Minding their own business and all. After 1950's, it just seemed to stick its nose everywhere and it's growing worse.

Thats what high school text books will tell you but the reality is a little diferent. Monroe doctrine, Tripoli, 1812, Indian wars, invasion of Florida, Mexican war, invading Canada ... twice, 54-40 or fight!, Spanish war, Panama, sending soldiers to Russia following Russian revolution. I'm sure I'm missing a few, but thats not bad for a 150 years of a "peace loving" nation.

[Sanin]

Originally Posted by Saith

Ummm, which revolution? Clearly you don't mean the American Revolution based on your statement.

See above ^^^

[Mekong Delta]

Originally Posted by Sanin

I’m not forgetting China. If you do it right now China wouldn't have a choice. With all the bad press around Tibet and the Olympics their hands would be tied. A quick strike on military targets followed by a small scale invasion and it should be over in a month. Install Suu Kyi as the democratically elected President and bring her to the Olympics for a meet and greet with the Chinese government. Suu Kyi is smart, if good relations with China is what it takes for a free Burma then that is what would happen.

The so called "bad press" around Tibet has strengthened the support base for the communist party. It essentially created a us-vs-them mentality and did not accompolish anything other than pissed off the ordinary Chinese and creating a backlash against the West in China. If anything, the government will be pressured into taking a strong stance against the West from now on and appeal to the rising nationalism. Hoping to invade Burma and an toppled a Beijing back government when you got their people all aggressive? Yeah that'll work.

Let's just ignore the rising nationalism and anti-West sentiment in China that even the communists can't control for a moment. Why would China want a pro-west leader right in their backyard?

[Saith]

Originally Posted by Sanin

Thats what high school text books will tell you but the reality is a little diferent. Monroe doctrine, Tripoli, 1812, Indian wars, invasion of Florida, Mexican war, invading Canada ... twice, 54-40 or fight!, Spanish war, Panama, sending soldiers to Russia following Russian revolution. I'm sure I'm missing a few, but thats not bad for a 150 years of a "peace loving" nation.

Well shit if that's your standard Europe is a bunch of fucking war-craving lunatics.