pbleighton

Mike, what would you do about Iraq if you were in charge? Peter

Don't hold your breath, Mike. Americans hate losing, and love to shoot the messenger. We're polically immature, and get the government we deserve. Peter

Well, IMO we are still such a huge superpower, we are just completely delusional about the limits of force, and in denial about the criminality of *preemptive* wars. Peter

I mostly agree with Mike, though for me 2S is mandatory with 3 spades even with a flat yarborough. Make the hearts a small doubleton and the diamonds KQxxx and I invite. Peter

Public opinion. We live in a democracy. Peter

Well, Mike, we are not going to pull out now. We will probably start to leave in 12-20 months from now. But let me offer the most likely scenario, with my crystal ball: We will leave, with our tails between our legs. The civil war will intensify. Our national and humanitarian interests will point to one overrriding goal: working with countries in the region, INCLUDING Iran and Syria (which Bush apparently lacks the emotional maturity to do), to prevent this U.S.-caused war from spreading across the region. This will probably involve bribery on a national scale. It may or may not work. Now, if we stay for 5 years, then leave, this is what will happen: We will leave, with our tails between our legs. The civil war will intensify. Our national and humanitarian interests will point to one overrriding goal: working with countries in the region, INCLUDING Iran and Syria (which Bush apparently lacks the emotional maturity to do), to prevent this U.S.-caused war from spreading across the region. This will probably involve bribery on a national scale. It may or may not work. Peter

Yes, I think this is part of it. The Republicans see this, of course. How many of them jump the fence and become peaceniks is the major political question of the next 18 months. Peter

This isn't the last vote, by any means. Meet you in September... I understand the frustration of the antiwar folks, being one myself, but this is a big train, and it's going to take a while to stop. Peter

I very much doubt it. September may turn out to be the key month. Congressional Republicans are going to start staring into the abyss..... And in 2009 many of them may return to the private sector they profess to adore ;) Peter

I have a different point of view on this, Winston, although I tend to agree with you on the war: 1. We will be in Iraq through the end of this year, at least, regardless of what the Democrats do. They can't override a veto. 2. The percentage of voters who want to start troop withdrawals immediately is growing, but still small, roughly 20%, depending which poll you read. The explanation for this, I believe, is that the American philosophy of "every problem has a solution" still has a residual pull on Iraq. 3. This pull is fading. The *surge* is not a new strategy, it is Bush's attempt to buy time with the public. By that measure, and only by that measure, it has been successful. 4. If the *surge* continues to fail, support for immediate withdrawal will continue to increase. This number is the key metric for leaving, not the various dissatisfaction numbers. 5. IMO, sometime this fall or next spring there will be enough sentiment for withdrawal to permit the passage of a good bill, with significant Republican support. 6. It is important that there be no blaming doves for *losing Iraq*. I don't think we should leave until a majority of voters want us to leave. There are potential *optional* wars lurking in out future. I want us to have our noses rubbed in failure, so we don't make this mistake again. Peter

And he's been replaced by ... Hannie. Peter

2D, 2S, and 3S all seem reasonable, though personally at mps I would stay away from 2D. At imps 3S would be clear, though uncomfortable. 2S. The rest of the hand is crap, and pd is likely to have wasted values in clubs. Peter

Pass. Could be, but I doubt it. Peter

You are right, the Forums aren't polite. They are, after all, inhabited by duplicate bridge players... Peter

I take your point, but I think you've chosen a poor example. I played the 1NT overcall as a weak takeout for a while. We alerted it, of course. I think that alerting is sufficient. We weren't impressed with the results, and dropped it. As long as it's alerted, it's not difficult to defend. Peter

Pass. Peter

You misunderstand completely, I would reverse with this hand. However, once I have done this, I can't "cancel the reverse". The rebid of hearts doesn't imply less than reversing strength. Opener may have 13, or 21. Peter

I completely disagree. You have made your bed, and now you must lie in it. Peter

Would you, if you were playing relatively standard 2/1, where a opening bid showed 12/strong 11? I realize that this requires an act of imagination on your part :) Peter

Agree. Peter

How do you know what their motivations are? Do you read minds, or do you just enjoy insulting people who play methods which you are unfamiliar with? Peter

Oops, me too :huh: Peter

Pass makes sense with such a low ODR. :) 2S. Peter

Is there a standard meaning for this sequence? How do you prefer to play it? I took it as natural, slam going, 5+ spades, 4+ clubs. Pd meant it as a cue bid. We realized that it might also be Gerber. Peter

Usually, but quite often not. They open a lot of 9/10 counts with shape and < 2 QT. Hmm.. So you are saying that the best players in the world bid more aggressively than average players? I agree with you. We must watch the same Vugraph. They obviously enjoy their pillow fights :) Peter