Paul

>>Most people, however, just say "I don't know" then continue to criticize any decision that someone else makes. That has always felt like I cop-out to me. You can disagree, but you'd better have a reason for disagreeing and an alternate, workable, plan.<<

Actually I rather suspect that many people in the world feel disappointment in their "leaders" who agreed on sanctions and other steps to manage SH, then stood by as our rules were systematically flouted.

If the US attack is justified- that is, if our failure to enforce rules means that Iraq truly is a threat to the US and other western civilisation- then there has been an undeniable failure by the world's leaders, including mine and including yours.

If the above has any validity then the war will be seen historically as a symbol of our failure and it makes sense to be angry about that. The previous generation fought "good" wars and established a world body committed to peace; our generation makes rules that it fails to enforce, duh... then breaks apart with disagreement over that failure.

If this is correct then the US should take comfort that there is no hatred for the US in that equation. And we must not get into escalation of division between former friends and allies. Think about it, wherever Bin Laden is hiding he must be having a good laugh at our expense when he surveys the fruits of his efforts, being breakdown of relations between former allies like US, UK france and Germany.

Regards

JR