>Now that they ARE there I'd hope that everyone is concerned in the utmost for their safety and well-being.
>And I'm sure that the vast majority of them feel that what they are doing is of the utmost importance, as well they need to.
>FYI, I think it's important too. I'm certain that there would have been a war regardless, even fully toeing the U.N. line! If only the U.S. could have seen fit to wait some more the whole world would have been with them again. And it is now apparent that waiting would have been beneficial to the campaign too. The status of Turkey would have been clear and alternate plans could have been EFFECTED (not just planned), more reconnaisance could have been done, possibly taking more shots at Saddam and a host of other things.

I am not sure why the administration felt like we needed to go now. I know I have seen and read some reports on the fact that our troops were basically sitting ducks while in Kuwait. An army on the move is a lot harder to hit. My guess is that the administration saw this becoming a drawn out inspection process, with no definitive deadline for the Iraqis. I know that France publicly stated they would not support an ultimatum. I did see Hans Blix interviewed yesterday, and he indicated the inspection process would have taken more months, not weeks.