I know no one likes war  but still youngsters are being sent to die as old men posture and  pontificate about the necessity to safeguard our people using methods which result in the killing  and maiming of women and children. Perhaps if those old men were told they would be expected to take up positions on the front lines of the conflict they might not be so willing to commit their countries to battle. They might even try to search more assiduously for alternative solutions. Playing soldier is always a great deal easier from a comfortable arm chair many hours and miles away from the scene of the conflict.

The excuse is made that we need to safeguard freedom and democracy.  I seriously doubt that has been  the sole motivation in recent days. When the ' Leader of the Free World ' challenges the enemy with an immature statement like "Bring 'em on" we are in really big trouble. That's on a par with the teenager who tempts fate by drag racing on a city street filled with pedestrians. And most certainly calls into question said Leader's fitness to lead. 'Cowboy' is too kind a term and to so label him is an insult to  those who wear that title proudly.

Americans deserve better in their President.  The Free World deserves better in it's Leader. The vast majority of Americans are decent, honest, principled, and kindly  people. And  they make very good neighbours. I truly do not believe that the Far Right Wing of the Republican Party are indicative of American principles and beliefs. In truth I am not even sure that this President is as much to blame for  the actions taken in the past couple of years as are his closest advisors.  I don't believe their agenda  is fully understood by the average American citizen even now, but those advisors obviously wield enormous influence  in this administration and  I'm not at all sure that President Bush is actually in control of the decision  making. And, I am far from alone in this school of thought  around the world.  It is quite possible that  he has been nothing more than a willing puppet , enamoured with the idea of following in Daddy's footsteps, acquiescing to the wishes of the group who chose him as their figurehead and front man. He may simply be a well meaning man of average intelligence who  is incapable of the mature sage decisions required from the individual holding such a high office.

 I question if most of the actions taken  were not the result of input from the likes of Cheney and Rumsfeld whose agenda may well have been carved in stone long before the Florida debacle of the 2000 election. There have been many signs that this may well be the case. When Bush speaks off the cuff  all too often he only takes his foot out of his mouth  long enough to make room for it's partner. Frankly there are many,  far more astute than I,  who believe he is in way over his head and that his credibility leaves a great deal to be desired.

 In the wake of 9 / 11 the goodwill of the world community, which was so evident when this War on Terror began, has been recklessly squandered and today the mistrust of the United States now stands as one of the most serious perils the rest of the Free World faces.  No one knows where they will decide regime change is next needed. The blatant arrogance and contempt for other nations ... even those of traditional allies ... displayed on many occasions does not generate confidence in the supposed dependability  of the Free World's Leader.  The total disregard  for the credibility of the United Nations places the entire world in more danger of a world ripped apart by conflict than at any time since World War Two. With friends like that ... who needs enemies?

 I know that the Terrorist attacks of September 11th were an horrendous blow to every American.  The repercussions of that horrific day are still affecting  most citizens of the US  and are understandable  justification to a degree for the reaction of many in wanting revenge. But to abandon everything  for which  the United States has stood for  over 200 years  would be the bigger tragedy.

 Already the hatred  of so many is aimed at the heart of this continent as a result of the US Government's actions. Where before it was only the nut cases and fanatics who harboured this hatred toward us  it is now widespread around the world. I include our country  as a target of that hatred because to most of the peoples in those countries we also are considered to be a part of the much hated and feared populace  inhabiting the North American Continent. 

 I know, and you know, that  both of our peoples are decent, peace loving,  and for the most part a kindly people. The rest of the world is unfortunately no longer at all sure this is still the case. For that we can most assuredly  thank the alumni of the first Bush administration and the son and heir.

 It has just struck me as I was writing ... perhaps I should be giving thanks. At least I can still speak without fear of being labelled a traitor for daring to disagree with  the policies of the present United States government. I am not at all certain  that today any American citizen  would be as blessed. Certainly there will be those who will deeply resent my comments as a citizen of another country regarding the affairs of the United States but I repeat ... these matters very much affect my country as well as other member countries of the Free World and we do have an absolute right to voice our opinions. In my case  my heart and my thoughts are very much with my American friends who are deeply troubled at the direction in which their country is moving. The country which has always adamantly supported the absolute right of Free Speech  now considers dissent to be disloyal. And perhaps that is the greatest tragedy of all. The country  which has epitomized freedom for more than 200 years  is apparently now only free to those who agree with the powers that be. 

Abuse of power has always been anathema in a democratic country but since the Right Wing gained power in the aftermath of the 2000 election it has become increasingly apparent that they will use any means necessary to achieve their goals.  The questionable methods by which they gained that power should have been a warning to everyone who believes in democracy. Subsequent actions would appear to indicate that they will be equally as unscrupulous in holding on to that power. Only the people of the United States can stop them. The  Right Wing depends on the apathy of the voters. Now more than at any time in history, for the sake of mankind itself, that apathy must be set aside and the multitude of wonderfully decent peace loving citizens must make their voices heard.

 In the aftermath of 9 / 11 terrorism was, and is, a peril which must be eradicated. That will not be achieved by invasion and military might as demonstrated with the infamous 'Shock and Awe' campaign. Killing innocent  women and children  and making victims of entire populations  in order to stop the fanatics who bear such hatred for our way of life will win us no allies. Making the choice for the citizens of a country as to how their nation shall be governed  is not our prerogative. That school of thought is contrary to everything for which democracy stands. Such actions are surely  guaranteed to  increase the ranks of those we would hope to eliminate.

War solves nothing. The Rule of Law has proven historically, and will prove in the future, to be the only course of action which will hopefully see the end of this new peril we all face. To do otherwise is to hand victory to the barbarians  and fanatical maniacs who have declared their intention to  destroy our way of life. In using the ugliness of war  to combat the terrorists we become no better  than our enemy and we deny everything for which our countries stand. We must all pray that the American people see this and  take the power away from those who have so badly handled the responsibility of governance. They are the only ones in a position and with the means to do so. 

Someone once said that the  disappearance of a sense of responsibility is the most far-reaching consequence of the  submission to authority.  Never has the warning from James Madison written so many, many  years ago been more timely ...

 May God Bless the American people and provide them with  the wisdom so badly needed in the coming months as they are once again  given the opportunity to choose a leader. May every citizen who has the privilege of making their voices heard in the voting booth take seriously the responsibility  which rests on their shoulders and may they do so with honour and conviction as they once again show their love for their country and  the precious  freedoms so many  throughout their history have given their lives to secure.