>May be good practice for getting along with people of dis-similar views too. ;-)
>
>Sure. But lets not forget the old truism "if you want peace, prepare for war."

And good to see that has all worked out. But perhaps it should be reconciled with some many other cliches -- ahem -- truisms:
"Give it attention, it will grow."
"To have a friend, be a friend."
"If we build it..."
"Do unto others..."
"Push down and turn"
"Asbestos! Do not eat!"
"Reap what you sow."
"Light a match for a man and he is warm but for a moment. Set him on fire and he is warm for the rest of his life."
"Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana."
"Don't pet the sweaty things."
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... won't get fooled agin."

Ok, admittedly I'm getting off-track here... or maybe just trying your patience. ;-) I just think what when on before could teach us more than what we've learned. I feel another truism coming on -- how about, a problem cannot be solved by the same mind that created it?


>Too many countries forget that, then expect the US to step in when the proverbial hits the fan.

i.e. The Great Enabler?

>Meanwhile students stage protests against the warmongering US. ;-)

Well, it is a dirty job... Ha!