But America decided to keep its muscles strong, and let everybody choose their own doctors and houses and go their own way, which for a majority works well.

Hmmm. In Canada, I had the absolute right to choose a doctor, no matter where in the country I moved. Here I have to choose from a little list sent out by the insurer. That list changes from time to time, which means my husband and I have to find new specialists - no easy feat.

Also

I guess they don't realize we have no intention of taking over anything.

Maybe you don't. Your government seems hell bent on reinventing colonization.

I don't think a lot of Americans realize how badly their government representatives muff it abroad. Sure, every country is full-to-bursting with jerks, but the U.S. (like Britain before it) seems to have a special talent for sending out tactless wonders on diplomatic missions. Of course, their remarks make the front page in Paris, Toronto and Mexico City, but they don't even make the fine print in section F here.

Sorry. I should know better than to generalize on this board. My posts here are just dashed off, without much research or thought, because, you know, it's just a TV show board, a fun time for a few minutes. I hope nobody takes this place too serously!

Everybody here still loves Europe and the Aussies. But they seem to making it very clear what they're against without saying what they're FOR. What will they do against Saddam? Exactly how long and with what goals was the UN planning to give the inspectors? They dithered too long until the Man of Action threw up his hands and went ahead. It's a shame.

What will they do against Saddam? Exactly how long and with what goals was the UN planning to give the inspectors?

What was the risk in doing it slowly?

They dithered too long until the Man of Action threw up his hands and went ahead. It's a shame.

You know he and his cronies are going to make a fortune, right? Follow the money.

You know what this headlong rush gave us? A fat contract to Halliburton and soldiers in forest fatigues.

I take this board as seriously as I take any conversation; perhaps more so because I respect the people I'm talking to. If you discuss a serious topic here, you should expect people to debate it with facts.

You know he and his cronies are going to make a fortune, right? Follow the money.

Nope, even they realized how awful it looked.

[link]

You know what this headlong rush gave us? A fat contract to Halliburton and soldiers in forest fatigues.

They're now reporting, in addition to Blair's comments that they don't have the overwhelming force in place that they'd planned, that some of the troops are nearly out of food, water, and fuel.

It's worse than a conversation, really, because it doesn't evaporate into the ether -- so if I get things wrong, they sit around here for people to come and read and opine on.

The article is downloading slowly.

Caroma, it doesn't look bad, it is bad.

The fact that they got caught and are pulling back doesn't negate that they tried to do it in the first place.

Finally read the article.

So, Halliburton won't have the monopoly on the re-build. They'll still make a fortune.

Nope, even they realized how awful it looked.

Snort. Even you can't think this makes them look good. Besides, it's not like they aren't gonna give a nice deal to Halliburton (see below):

Halliburton, which declined to comment, could still be awarded a sub-contractor role.

Ayup, just as I figured. Still think they are being entirely selfless?