>>>It's not going to work. Saddam is a brutal dictator with a ruthless grip on power. There is one and only one way he is going to leave. On his back.
>>
>>Go git 'em Chris. Don't forget yer six-guns and cast iron jockstrap.
>
>And what is your solution? Ask him really, really nice? Maybe we forgot to say the magic word: please.

Must one have a "solution" before giving peace a chance? I don't think shooting first and asking questions later is the answer. If the UN is ineffective, aren't we as much to blame as anyone?

It's not clear that a preemptive strike against Iraq would be wise or constructive, and it sure doesn't seem civilized. Are we justified in suspending the foundations of freedom and democracy, all in the name of this so-called "war on terrorism"? What a bogus concept! How will we know when we've won? Does some guy representing all terrorists solemnly sign a surrender document? Do we take the capital city of terrorist-land? Have we so little faith in our constitution that we must now enter into an indefinite period of martial law, under the leadership of a guy who doesn't even know how to pronounce "nuclear"?

I don't believe the rush to attack Iraq does a thing to reduce the risk of terrorism, but I see a greater likelihood that it will exacerbate the problem. It is the height of optimism to ignore the risks. Behaving like bullies is not the answer, just because some people think they can get away with it, and it would be so immensely satisfying to their egos. Those people are kidding themselves. This is not a zero sum game: we can all lose.

So here's my suggestion: put our energies, our money, and our commitment into making the UN an effective instrument. If we've got a case to make for war, let's hear it, and let it be judged by reasonable, objective standards that can be applied in general. Why should the standards for justifying international warfare, indiscriminate destruction and killing thousands of people, be any lower than our standards for convicting someone of petty theft? Does Iraq really present such an immediate danger to this country that the UN could not possibly protect us, even with our help? We have an opportunity to do something constructive by contributing to the effectiveness of the UN, which would be a lasting contribution to the cause of world peace. Are we willing to pay some price for that, or shall we have another go at demonstrating the boundless folly and arrogance of power?