So? EVERYONE thinks they're the "Good Guys". Anyone who's ever instigated or exacerbated a conflict or argument, throughout human history, has always thought themselves to be in the right. Hence "Conflict".

Your statement gives absolutely zero distinction to your argument. It's completely subjective, and therefore no concrete point has been made.

As far as us being 'the good guys', I think there are some objective standards by which you can judge that.

1) Being accepted by the population of the invaded country as liberators. I think the jury is still out on that, but I'm hopeful it will be the case.

2) Working within the laws and guidelines established by the international community. In this respect, we've earned a big fat F; in fact, it seems to be our intent to destroy the entire fabric of international law.

3) Setting an example of integrity. Another big fat F. I can't think of any similar time in history where the US has bent over backwards to portray itself as shallow, shortsighted, bullying, and dishonest.

4) Sacrificing our own resources for humanitarian purposes. I think our national self-image in this regard is grossly exaggerated, if you compare our enormous weath with what we devote to humanitarian aid; but every nickle tossed in a tin cup demonstrates some charitable instinct, anyway. But a recent poll is disquieting-- it seems about 53% of Americans are in favor of appropriating Iraqi property to 'pay for' our invasion of their country. Further impoverishing this put-upon country would be absolutely unconscienable!

Finally, my faith in our status as the 'good guys' is tempered by doubts about our national morality and even sanity. I remember a conversation I had with a co-worker, a completely normal and typical person and a devout fundamentalist Christian, regarding the threat to our jobs by 'offshore' outsourcing, i.e., having our programming work done in New Delhi or Singapore. In complete seriousness, he said 'Maybe we have to drop an atomic bomb on them.'

If our comfortable lifestyle was threatened, would the American public support the conquering of other countries to acquire their resources or eliminate them as market competitors?

Sadly, I think with the Iraq invasion, we've come much closer to finding out.

Right... How dare we not let France dictate our foreign policy.

I'm glad you are finally paying attention then. So why don't you FOOKIN' LISTEN!!!???

to what we are saying, huh?

France... and Canada... and Germany... and Russia... and China... and India... and Greece... and Italy... and all the African countries... and all of South America... and Mexico... and Denmark... and - but why go on and fuck up Comicon's bandwidth, huh?

Hey! But Poland sent 50 soldiers, right? This "Coalition of the Willing" only included TWO countries that sent soldiers in 3 digits to add us. That ain't too goddamn many.

And it was just revealed today that the situation in the U.K. was so bad that Blair had drawn up a RESIGNATION letter.

So what's the update on these, huh Talon?

You don't understand that people have the right to think freely.

I'm done with you.

You don't understand that the right to think freely includes people who don't think like you.

And I'm just getting started with you...

Didn't I just implied that, sir?

And I'm just finished with you. Play around with Cisco Bunny, but don't blame me if he bites you.

Was that before or after you picked up your ball and went home?



No worries, you're in the free and clear.

Um...he bites?!?

GAH!