I agree with many of your points. As for us waiting for a global authorization before we defend ourselves, pre-emptively or otherwise, I say damn what they think. We should defend ourselves, and that is totally our decision. As for Kerry, how can you deal with a man who won't tell the truth? That's the basis for any relationship. If you can't believe what a person says, you can't go any further. It's like Maslow's hiearchy, if you can't get food, you can't get to the security stage.

John

>Apart from my general distrust of the man, my hatred of him for his actions after Vietnam which jepardized many soldiers, my question as to whether he is a) a liar - he stated he participated in actions against the geneva conventions in front of congress (I heard this myself) or b) a war criminal (in which case he was honest and was not lying when he testified), I still do not understand his position on anything. His position has changed so many times I cannot keep up with it. He is now more careful to spend his time denouncing Bush's actions and views rather than stating his position and what he would do clearly. A good example is his statement on the ICC: The Bush administration needlessly alienated our friends and allies by its ham-handed approach to the issue of the International Criminal Court. My administration will carefully consider the full range of U.S. interests at stake with respect to the court as we review our policy and fashion a more constructive approach.
>
>So is he for or against the U.S. joining the ICC?
>
>Who really knows....
>
>>Kerry didn't say that the US would give the power of U.S. security over to any other nation or group of nations.
>>
>>He said that the court of world opinion needs to be on our side.
>>
>>
>>
>>>Uh oh, you may want to 'duck' after writing that one! :o) *G*
>>>
>>>I agree with most of what you wrote and yes, I have Woodward's books. Just want to add that I cannot envision Kerry's wife as the First Lady! That is a scary thought! :o)
>>>
>>>Since this is the chatter section, I will state a small part of my political views. My political views are a mixture of the liberatarian/democrat/constitution/republican parties. However, the one thing I REALLY agree with George Bush on is national security. I strongly believe in U.S. sovereignity and I will never agree with giving the power of U.S. security over to any other nation or group of nations. I will never agree with any international court having jurisdiction over an american citizen before the U.S. courts. However, I believe in the absolute right of every woman to choose (I believe it is a religious decision between her and her god) and I believe in stemcell research. I believe in fewer taxes and a smaller government and more incentives for small businesses.
>>>
>>>Right now, since there is not a single candidate that I agree with completely, it is a question of which issues I feel are the most important today and which ones I am willing to put aside for now if necessary. To me, there is no question on that.
>>>
>>>I better stop there before I get myself into trouble. I've probably offended over half the membership already!
>>>
>>>Tracy