As many times as I have read this thread (and I quite enjoyed it; I think debates and understanding other poeple thoughts on a subject is always interesting and enlightenint) I have yet to here the asnwers to the fundemental quetsion. I have herd "one liners", statement that are true but pushed to be associated with why the US actions is bad, and so on.
I think we all can agree that:
a)
War is bad and no one wins; you just have one loser gets beat up more

Wanting to avoid war at all costs can empower the one you wish to contain
c)
The cost of war always takes lives of those in it.
d)
When it is agreed that war will happen, it is now BOTH parties fault for the deaths of those involved
With all this said and all the 'truths" that can be written on this (from war is for oil to fighting for freedom) it still comes back to this bottom line that eventually is where the choice to go to war or not is made; in this situation at least.
World politics is not easy. There are and will be interests other than what appears. I don't agree with Bush or with his tactics. Nevertheless, I have yet to here anything that says that Saddam has disarmed.
"Give him 30 more days." That's fine with me, but what happens when those 30 days are up? We know it happened before.
"America is only interested in oil".
Just oil? Not just from Iraq I hope because it is not worth it. We would spend more than the oil they have just fighting the war. I guess Iraq could become a launch pad for 'conquering' other oil rich places. The cost for doing so? More money than most of the oil in the region. Good investment? NO.
Why is the USA friends with China? They do the same thing as Iraq... Iraq has oil to fund its weapons production, China has a struggleing economy. The chinese soldier is more loyal. I doubt they would sell weapons to those who would later use them against themselves.
People, people ,poeple!!! It is not just about this country does the same thing or hey you have them too... it is about location, location, location, economy, additudes, stability, population comfort level (food, shelter, education, jobs)
When you include all of those factors who is more dangerous? Iraq or Argentina? Iran or Canada? North Korea or China? Serbia or Seria?
Is Saddam in breach of the agreement???
Does he have loads of money???
How loyal is his army???
Population comfort level???
How many resolutions for disarmerment????
How many years under said resolutions???????
Please, no one liners... "America wants oil!!!" "Bush is Evil!!!"
alo_cmr, if there is to be peace, how do we asnwer those questions?