IRAQ

Well lets see...
If the USA had waited, they would have allies.

Allied forces did not want to attack Iraq based on THEORETICAL WMD.

There was no doubt, that I've read, from ANY country as to whether or not Saddam needed to be removed from power and his rehime toppled.

You were poorly prepared, unsupported and now what, Americans are STILL dying (but the war's over so you don't need to pay your solders as much), this war will probably NEVER end. YOU have single handely opened the biggest can of worms on the planet, terrorism was already pointed at America, now it is completely focused on America. So, unless you intend permanent occupation of Iraq, there will be a new generation of Anti-American terrorists, then another, then another. Do you really expect Iraqi terrorists to forget once you've pulled out? You never forget YOUR history, those who helped you and those who didn't. What makes you feel Iraqi's will?

You are doomed for MANY MANY centuries to come, America has stood alone in the crowd and flexed her muscles while waiving her flag and killing Iraqi's. That'll be forgotten when, next month?

Iraqi's didn't see a Canadian, German, French, African or Autralian flag. They probably didn't even notice the British flag behind yours.

You waved your colors, YOU will pay. AGAIN!

First, the U.S. should not sell weapons to undemocratic states. Ten years of this policy turned all America except Haiti and Cuba into democracies, and the extension of the policy to the world would have similar, if less spectacular, effects.
Second, when the U.S. conquers a despotism it should hold elections promptly. Sometimes this may be delayed, as in Afghanistan, by the lack of administrative machinery, but Iraq was a pseudodemocracy and could have had real elections in 6 weeks. There is no need to develop a new constitution: use the old one with the undemocratic parts changed or deleted by conqueror's ukase; then let the democratically elected parliament decide whether further changes are appropriate.

"Not many people now his, but Bin Laden was trained by the U.S. and so was Saddam, and they are the ones that made them what they are now."

I think that's common knowledge, even to Americans. It was in their benefit at that time, as usual there is no looking foraward, just what can we get now. Later, these decisions come back and bite them in the ass but that just gives them a reason to attack and kill a few more American soldiers.

I can only apologize for my neighbors and their insecurities that cause them to fight for fear whenever possible. That border may be close but the countries are miles apart in their thinking. If the Canadian government thought the way the American government did, we'd never be at peace and would constantly be at war like they are.

It is really nice to live in a peaceful country without the fear of attack, my family and friends are safe and happy and we can al enjoy out day without wondering how many friends just lost their sons or daughters and if we are going to be terrorised at any time. Many Canadians don't even know about Cretien leaving us as Prime Minister, they somply DON'T CARE and DON'T want to hear it.

I just hope that Americans realize that this war will probably NEVER be over, they will always be targeted, especially now that they've pushed the line. They can never relax in peace, they can't sleep without fear. No matter HOW many terrorists they kill, there will always be another to take over. In a way it's nice, it takes the attention of the other countries.

OM

I don't think you would find too many Australians asserting that Australia is a Christian country, just because Christianity has the largest number of followers. Australia is predominantly an agnostic country, and no doubt viewed by Muslims as a lackey of the USA, rather than as a Christian country.

In Australia, Christians and non-Christians alike do not delude themselves that this is a Christian Country. Church attendances continue to fall rapidly, despite the burgeoning population caused by immigration.

Perhaps you would care to ask Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jenson, why he set a goal of achieving 10 per cent of those living in the area covered by the Sydney diocese, becoming committed members of the church by the year 2010.

The intentions are indeed to establish a government made up of Iraqi people, not Americans.

Moreover, I don't think that the "situation in Iraq is daily deteriorating". Although there are "bumps in the road", so to speak, I think that things are going as well as could be expected.

Do you not agree that this whole effort is years too late?

Yikes ....

Well now Oz old bean, usually I mark you down as a barking lunatic of a poster, but I have to admit you've definately got the measure of events this time !

Well done.

It's a true disgrace what is happening in Iraq if you ask me. Even Rumsfeld (is that right?) is now calling it an 'occupation' and a 'war'. A bit of a change of tack there from the 'liberation' speeches I think.

Many Americans like to boast 'We will never forget' but guess what ... other people 'never forget' either. As we Brits found out in Ireland ... 25 years of troops settled nothing, and in the end you have to get round a table and talk. No money in that though eh ?

I'm with Oz on this one.

MB.

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...President Bush made was the early declaration to the end of "major" combat operations.

I certainly know what he meant, as the surgical air strikes ended, major combat operations were completed, the Iraqi army was contained, and so forth. But he knew it would be a long and drawn out process; he knew there would be hit-and-run attacks; he knew there would be terrorist attacks. He certainly didn't do himself (or the war effort itself, because of the political hay others could make of it) any favors by making such a formal declaration.

I would have preferred different wording - a different message. Something like this:

"We are entering perhaps the most dangerous phase of our efforts to liberate Iraq from the clutches of the ruthless dictator Saddam Hussein and to establish the seeds of freedom for the Iraqi people. We have a long and difficult task in front of us, and there are many unknowns. There will be many obstacles, and there will be more sacrifices. But our cause is just, and our efforts are noble, and we are up to the difficult task at hand. Again, I welcome the leaders of those nations who initially opposed this undertaking to join us in the efforts to return Iraq to the Iraqi people. The results will not only benefit the good people of Iraq, but the world community as well........."

But on the other hand, it doesn't change what still needs to be done or the fact that it should have been done in the first place - probably years ago.