>>You have to pick your battles, but I don't accept the idea that there is nothing worth fighting for and whoever the thug of the moment is must be taken seriously as a head of state.
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>Pinochet was taken seriously here. At some point so was Somosa, and Noriega, and every Saudi prince who came along. Rumsfeld was very cordial with Saddam once upon a time. Sheesh, there are even countries who take GW2B seriously. Not because all of these guys inspire deep respect - but because of the people they, under the circumstances, represent. And until we have a ruling body with Earth in its name, this is the way to show respect to people - respect their countries. Equally.

Wow this one is tough. I agree with both paragraphs above....