Algeria - a bit of a sticky wicket.

[Svartalf]

Saddam was the acknowledged and official ruler of Iraq, even bush the Elder let him stay in place... He was the only legitimate gummint of Iraq since 1979 (not sure there's anything like a legitimate one since he was ousted, still waiting for a civil war or for Iran to come help the oppressed shi'ites)

Oh, I thought you were referring to "legitimacy." The ability to hold power, and the legitimacy of holding power are two different things.

Iran is already coming to "help" -- that's old news. And, the Shiites were oppressed under Sadaam. Also old news.

Legitimacy, like being the official go to guy when negociating with the country. Or are your presidents just the chiefs of a bunch of rebels against their legitimate queen?

[Clinton Huxley]

Stand aside! CES is deploying his shoulder chip!

[Svartalf]

Thanks M'lud, where was I venturing?

[Clinton Huxley]

I think we should sell the Malian baddies some missiles, get you Frogs back for the Falklands....

[Svartalf]

If they have the money to buy more than rusty cutlery, please go to town.

[Clinton Huxley]

If they have the money to buy more than rusty cutlery, please go to town.

sell...give.....all good

[Svartalf]

That would be a costly gift to foist off on the taxpayer.

[Clinton Huxley]

Still, if Blighty eventually gets dragged into the Malian conflict, it will mine cheaper to deploy troops there than in Afghanistan. I bet Ryanair go to Mali

[Svartalf]

Still, if Blighty eventually gets dragged into the Malian conflict, it will mine cheaper to deploy troops there than in Afghanistan. I bet Ryanair go to Mali

Actually, the only African country it goes to is Morocco... only place where they are cheap or honest enough I guess.

[Clinton Huxley]

Still, if Blighty eventually gets dragged into the Malian conflict, it will mine cheaper to deploy troops there than in Afghanistan. I bet Ryanair go to Mali

Actually, the only African country it goes to is Morocco... only place where they are cheap or honest enough I guess.

Ryanair never fly to the closest airport to the place you want to go to.

[Svartalf]

Except Dublin.

[HomerJay]

What are you folks doing in Algeria anyway? If you'd stop meddling in their business and interfering in their politics, this would not happen...

Grubbing for oil, I have no doubt.

The French moved in because the British Empire already had all the cool places.

[sandinista]

Stand aside! CES is deploying his shoulder chip!

What would that chip be? So far his comparisons are just ridiculous. Comparing an empire that has murdered millions, been at war constantly for decades, has military bases in over 100 countries, tortures and imprisons people with no trial etc... to some small operations in Mali? Is that it? Silly.

[Coito ergo sum]

Stand aside! CES is deploying his shoulder chip!

What would that chip be? So far his comparisons are just ridiculous. Comparing an empire that has murdered millions, been at war constantly for decades, has military bases in over 100 countries, tortures and imprisons people with no trial etc... to some small operations in Mali? Is that it? Silly.

I made no such comparison. What the US done has nothing to do with the merits or lack thereof of what the French do, does it?

[Jason]

Coito's just on a trolling spree.