Is the decision to invade a country solely a foreign policy decisions (derail split)

[kennethamy]

OK. Is it true?

If you are asking me, I would say so. Have you any reason in the world to think that Obama knows which end is up so far as military matter go?

[laughing dog]

If you are asking me, I would say so. Have you any reason in the world to think that Obama knows which end is up so far as military matter go? Compared to whom? To someone who thinks invasion is the answer to just about anything (i.e. McCain), I would say Obama does.

[kennethamy]

Compared to whom? To someone who thinks invasion is the answer to just about anything (i.e. McCain), I would say Obama does.

I don't think that McCain thinks that invasion is the answer to just about anything. In fact, I think he now believes that the invasion of Iraq was a mistake.
But whether invasion is the answer to just about anything (whatever that means) is not a judgment about military matters, but a (stupid) judgment about foreign policy.

[dug_down_deep]

If you are asking me, I would say so. Have you any reason in the world to think that Obama knows which end is up so far as military matter go?
I have no reason to think that any of the last 9 presidents have known, upon entering office, which end is up so far as military matters go. I also have no reason to think that it matters, since I don't expect the president to enter office with all kinds of specialized knowledge. I simply expect them to have leadership skills, broad general knowledge, and clearly favorable opinions about the prevailing issues. The president has a cabinet to rely on for specialized expertise.

I don't want the military in charge of the country. I want the people in charge of the country, with the military working for them.

[laughing dog]

But whether invasion is the answer to just about anything (whatever that means) is not a judgment about military matters, but a (stupid) judgment about foreign policy. RIght, because invasions have nothing to do with the military.

[kennethamy]

RIght, because invasions have nothing to do with the military.

No, but whether we should invade is an issue of policy, and has nothing to do with the military. All the military can tell us is whether or not an invasion will be successful, not whether an invasion should be launched.

[laughing dog]

No, but whether we should invade is an issue of policy, and has nothing to do with the military. All the military can tell us is whether or not an invasion will be successful, not whether an invasion should be launched. One would think whether an invasion should be launched might depend on the likelihood of success. One would think the likelihood of success would somewhat be a military matter.

[kennethamy]

One would think whether an invasion should be launched might depend on the likelihood of success. One would think the likelihood of success would somewhat be a military matter.

But not at all. It is likely that New York would succeed if it invaded Rhode Island, but it won't. It was clear that our invasion of Iraq would succeed, but you were, I suppose, against it. So you don't think that whether we should invade depend on the likelihood of success. Think what you are saying before you write it.

[laughing dog]

But not at all. It is likely that New York would succeed if it invaded Rhode Island, but it won't. That makes little sense.

It was clear that our invasion of Iraq would succeed, Really? On what basis? Because we are still there and likely to be there for some time.

but you were, I suppose, against it. So you don't think that whether we should invade depend on the likelihood of success. I didn't the invasion would be a success. Other than killing Saddam and eliminating the top brass, the country is a mess and shows little signs of righting itself. Iraq has become a jihadist terrorist incubator and sectarian violence is still prevalent. So, I think to anyone whose head is not up their ass, the jury is still out on whether the invasion is a success.

But in any event, your conclusion So you don't think that whether we should invade depend on the likelihood of success. has shown to be false: I thought the invasion would not be a success. And more to the point, are you also positing that the Bush would have invaded even if he thought the invasion would not succeed?