Tracy,

> I will never agree with any international court having jurisdiction over an american citizen before the U.S. courts.

While I think the tendency to stand up for every of your citizens [Iran embassy comes to mind] is applaudable and to be preferred to giving in to terrorists [buying out from africa of german tourists a few months back], I think this is formulated too extreme or encompassing.

What about acts of US citizens abroad ? Why should every [act even if not commited in the US] be judged by US standards ? I realize you spoke about "international courts" probably talking about Den Haag, but why shouldn't a US citizen caught with dope in turkey be judged by that countries harsher sentences for that particular crime, to give a slightly off base argument ?
Any reason to put US standards always first ?
Sounds a bit arrogant to me ;-)

regards

thomas