Doug,

>...They have nuclear weapons and will use them if attacked...

Well, I can't discuss belicism knowledge with you. Americans are light years ahead Brazilians, dealing with this subject, but God only knows what could happen if those people (and the US) get involved in such a (regional?) war. Think that things shouldn't be understood this way (who has more destruction power). BTW, think China has more affinity with the meadle east folks than with the Americans, and they have a tremendous war power (and lots more people).

US already had their Vietnam, USSR had their Afeganistan, isn't that enough? Shouldn't it be wise to try a more unpartial and moderate aproach like the European Community is trying to do? Think the "cowboys era" is gone for good, or at least it should have. But, anyway, you certainly know what you're doing, you have the knowledge. When comes to US soldiers being killed in another unfair/unexplicable/endless war, who'll cry again, who to put the blame on?

>The Arabs took Europe out of barbarity??

Sure, believe it or not, they did! It wasn't the Americans that took Europe out of barbarity! <vbg>

I don't know how the US schools teach their kids world history, but try a Google search (althought I think there must be fine books about world history in US for sale), and perhaps you may learn some about the Dark Ages and the role played by the Arabs. You may also take a look in what the Christians have done with the Arabs, during the Crusades (and their so called "religious" motivations for that, very interesting to understand what some people think about the noble interests of the US in the middle east). If you still get some time left, try the Spanish Inquisition, to learn a bit about the Christians x Jews tale. Good reading to help understanding modern history. If you already are aware of all I mentioned (and I think you are), please pardom me, but I can't understand your statements.

Don't miss the subtle differences between culture and knowledge/technology, they're quite diferent things. Culture is timeless while knowledge/technology isn't, for example. The European people have culture, the Arabs have culture, the Chinese have culture... some countries (and their people) just have knowledge and/or technology, while some other have neither one, unfortunatelly, and their faith is to be systematicaly exploited by the dominant countries (dominant doesn't implies to have a decent culture). Also don't miss the diferences between cultures/races/religions, it may lead you to erroneous reasoning.

Regards,

Fernando