[Lothar5150]

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

So you're saying that the antiboycott laws only apply in the case of contracts, with persons outside the US? You're saying, for example, that Americans are free to boycott Israel at their own initiative or endorse the legality of boycotting Israel? In effect, you're supporting the option of boycotting Israel? Or any countries, nationalities, religions, etc? And you're a US citizen? Answer in statement form please.

I don’t support a boycott of Israel. Personally, I support all democracies even our current arch nemesis, France. My family came from France to fight this countries first war, I couldn’t be more American. So yes I am a US Citizen.

Yes, Americans are free to boycott or advocate for the boycott of any country they wish. The First Amendment protects a citizen’s right to advocate any political view they wish. Including advocating the boycott of Israel, France or whomever. Look, Kobuchi your interpretation is wrong, if you want to prove you are right you will need to find some United States CASE LAW that supports your contention. The law is over 25 years old thus there should be a lot of case law generated.

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

No, your argument boils down to insistence on election of national representatives or no democratic participation allowed. It's a pretext to stifling democracy in other arenas. That's throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

I pretty sure democracy requires a vote by the people. All though there are a few counties that call them selves democracies and are not , such as Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea)

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

You're replying to, "IMO the UDHR was about as fresh a document as was possible at the time", apparently.

Yes, the US Constitution is undeniably one of the most important and inspirational documents in the history of law and government.

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

You were talking about personally seeing mass graves in Southern Iraq. IIRC Iran-Iraq (originally called the Persian Gulf War) was fought along the entire border and into the Gulf, mainly on Iraqi soil. The WWI character of Iran-Iraq (the Iranians deployed human wave attacks including unarmed women and children, both sides used gas, mines, trenches) ensured mass graves. What is now called the first Gulf War (Iraq-Kuwait war, or, Desert Storm/Desert Sabre, lest there be confusion) was waged initially from the air, from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, then on land, well north into Iraq. The US forces buried Iraqi soldiers in mass graves, and Iraqi "collateral damage" from the intense bombing could very well have been buried with the same expediency we just witnessed in Fallujah: bodies piled in trenches. I don't know just where in Iraq you've been, or when.

Both Gulf War and the Iran/Iraq wars were fought in the Eastern and South-Western Deserts of Iraq, respectively. The mass graves are all located in the interior of Iraq…far from any battles. Moreover, bullet holes to the head look a lot different from the damage done by 1000-pound bombs. Most of the bombing of Iraqi Troops occurred in the Northern Deserts of Kuwait and Southwestern Desert if Iraq. There was not collateral damage because the troops where in trenches in open desert.

Once the trial of Chemical Ali starts, you will hear plenty on the mass graves we found in the south.

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

Anyway, your point seems to be that I am ignorant, somehow.

Yep

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

No, and I won't deny Dresden, Hiroshima…...

I agree I think both Dresden and Hiroshima were a shame. However, they are certainly not comparable to the systematic extermination. Which both Japan and Germany participated. Or the Ba’athist in Iraq

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

My wife never flipped the Byrd Amendment in my face. Nor have marriage counselors judged her actions "illegal".

I feel better about my role in what Canada is preparing to do , with your self professed LOL on the matter.

I’m sure this will all work out in the end. Between democratic nations, these things ALWAYS do…you act like trade disputes are something new or uncommon.