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cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

15. The OP is entirely about "Focusing on what MAY happen"

Reply to cali (Reply #13)

Sat Aug 31, 2013, 11:16 AM

Aug 2013

as opposed to predicting what will happen (a fool's game)

That's the entire point of the OP.

Sorry it's absurd to you.

I would say we will agree to disagree, but since we are saying the same thing it wouldn't make sense.

Many (most?) readers of this OP's headline will read it as an argument in favor of missile strikes. And that is precisely the problem being addressed.

"We" think about these things like an infant capable only of two-state thinking... the lottery has binary outcomes (you either win the lottery or do not win the lottery) thus the lottery is a 50-50 proposition.

It is a bad way to think about the lottery, and a very bad way to think about blowing people up.

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I think it unlikely that bombing Syria once would lead to regional war. [View all] cthulu2016 Aug 2013 OP

I disagree. After 60+ years of imperialism, I think the world will finally stand up to the bully. Cooley Hurd Aug 2013 #1

It may not be likely but it's hardly far fetched. cali Aug 2013 #2

The point is that we talk of "likely" and "unlikely" but those words cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #7

sorry, I think you're taking this to the land of the absurd cali Aug 2013 #13

The OP is entirely about "Focusing on what MAY happen" cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #15

This is a civil war with many outsiders participating. riderinthestorm Aug 2013 #3

And this is based on your on the ground experience in the regoin or on how things Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #4

Do you always respond only to headlines? cthulu2016 Aug 2013 #9

it will kill more that a few military people. civilians will also die horribly. magical thyme Aug 2013 #5

And shooting at Archduke Ferdinand wasn't thought to lead to the death of millions The Second Stone Aug 2013 #6

To the military, missile attacks are like potato chips. Jackpine Radical Aug 2013 #8

Israel hit Syria twice last year with no retaliation, much less regional war. Motown_Johnny Aug 2013 #10

The premise that the U.S. will "fix" Syria with bombs DirkGently Aug 2013 #14

This isn't about Assad, it is about the next chemical attack Motown_Johnny Aug 2013 #17

So, you think we're going to dip a toe in, pull it out? DirkGently Aug 2013 #18

I don't think we should send missiles Daninmo Aug 2013 #11

Slippery slope dipsydoodle Aug 2013 #12

You have the upside/downside relation exactly correct. dkf Aug 2013 #16