>How things change. When I was in the military and stationed in Germany (1984 it was I think) we had a pilot that was an Iraqi citizen flying in our U.S. military. He had a hard time because everyone kept thinking he was Iranian (not a good thing at that time if you were in the U.S. military). Imagine their reactions today?

They do indeed change. I recall meeting some Iranians as a student in the 70s (before the revolution, anyway), and they were very popular people back then.

But when you stop to think, almost all countries (not by government, just geographically by country) that are now "enemies" with one-another were once on friendly terms - and vice-versa of course, too.

I think the US still has the right goal of an entire "friendly, peaceful, & democratic world." But I also think we're pushing the envelope as to just how to get to this peaceful & democratic planet a little too hard just now. It could backfire in a big way, if we're not very cautious...people like Colin Powell still give me hope, though.