adam wrote:
] ]Bush has in fact changed the rules of the game considerably
]
] How do you think Bush has changed the rules of the game?

By running a military engagement without broad international support. By blowing off the UN. By launching a pre-emptive strike. By not following the Geneva Convention. Etc...

] but before the invasion there wasn't a clear connection
] between Sadaam and Al'Q.

There isn't one. "Shit ain't checkers, man. Its chess."

] But are those Americans right? The UN was formed after one
] group of nation states had tried to impose their beliefs and
] way of life on others by force. The international community
] should have the right to maintain the stability whereby one
] member state is not forcing its will upon others without due
] regard to international opinion and ultimately international
] law.

I agree, but try telling someone with a hell of a lot of guns who just had a bunch of his buildings blown up that he cannot defend himself without permission from people whose interests are not aligned with his and see how far you get. This is reality. I think its going to create problems, but saying "you can't do that" ultimately is meaningless if you won't back it up with force.

] ]There is a lot of frustration around about UN processes that
] put
] ] western nations on equal footing with terror states.
]
] Only certain members of the Security Council have the veto and
] since when could France be classed as a terror state.

I didn't say anything about vetos, or the security council, but people are pissed off that countries like Syria get to be on the security council and countries like Libya get to chair the human rights commission while the U.S. gets booted off of it. These are not the trappings of credible institutions.

] ]Well, ostensibly the US is acting in self defense against a
] ] bunch of crazy fundamentalists bent on murder and
] destruction.
]
] Again there was no connection between Sadaam and Al'Q.

read:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200303/msg00323.html

] By stoking the fire the US acts as a
] recuiting sergeant for Al'Q just as the British government
] did for the IRA with its policy of internment.

Most analysts agree with you. The counter point is that its more important what governments do then what people on the street think. Which side is right remains to be seen.

RE: Iraqis crowd the polls | csmonitor.com