Quote Originally Posted by koolmoe
I don't entirely disagree with your post, 7ape, but I have to say that your analogy falls short in the highlighted section. You mayhave disdain for the actions of US figureheads, but by no means is the US lacking in compassion and empathy. In fact, the last time I checked, the US provides more money, people, time, and effort to humanitarian causes than any other country in the world.
You mean like the $2.5 billion it gives to Israel every year so that they can carry on developing better WMD and continue with their illegal occupation of Palestine? What a force for good that is. Invade a country with no WMD, support a country with them. It's this sort of consistent policy in the Middle East that causes terrorism, it does nothing to end it.

Another terrorist attack in the US would make this "deficit" seem very small.
As an observer from the UK I simply don't get how Bush's record in the war on terrorism is anything to be proud of. So only he can prevent further terrorist attacks occurring within the USA? Well, he did a pretty poor job preventing the last one didn't he? The Presidential Daily Briefing for 6th August 2004 stated that Bin Laden was planning to hijack planes and use them as weapons, it stated that Al Qa'ida were surveying buildings in New York and Washington. And Bush did nothing. And Rumsfeld did nothing. And Condy Rice did nothing. Even Cheney admitted recently that there was no link between Iraq and Al Qa'ida prior to the invasion last year. Iraq is now full of terrorists of all hues. There are daily bombings, murders and kidnappings. But it's a safer place now, right?

The Taliban is done.
Err, no it isn't.

http://www.newstatesman.com/site.php...N=200403220021

The propaganda says they are gone and that Afghanistan is a functioning democracy, but it simply isn't true. And where is bin Laden?

As 7ape said - we are one planet, we all breathe the same air and drink the same water - putting the war and terrorism aside, Bush still scares me as he backed out of the Kyoto accord on Climate Change.The US has 3% of the world’s population but produces 25% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. This is already having a disastrous effect on the planet, with warmer summers and colder winters changing the natural biodiversity of entire regions. The increase in the numbers and intensity of storm systems hitting various parts of the world (including the US) is blamed on global warming caused by carbon dioxide emissions. Global warming and global pollution cannot be restrained within the borders of individual countries. The policies of the biggest nations have a disproportionate effect. To truly take a lead in world affairs as America wishes to do means more than simply responding to crises it also means setting a positive example to developing nations.

Clinton was in the UK a few weeks ago pushing his new (and very dull) book. He was greeted like a hero. We're 'side by side, shoulder to shoulder' with the US according to Bliar. But when Bush came over last year, a statue of him was built in Trafalgar Square, London, then toppled with ropes and chains as he met the Queen. Thousands of people took to the streets to protest at his presence. We’re the people on your side remember. How have our attitudes changed so quickly? If you think the answer is anything other than Bush's subtle blend of arrogance and ignorance then please tell me.