Linc, which God(s) gave that right to be free? Fundamentalist (and some moderate) Muslims seem to like to be led -- by other Muslims. So saying our brand of freedom is "God given" is supporting the "crusade" (w's word) we are on. Of course, we could talk about the religious wars that have flared in the region for thousands of years...

Hey, check out that "terror history" link. Notice the lack of terrorist activity from late 88 to early 93? Remember what HW Bush did after recapturing Kuwait, with all the support of NATO behind him? He recognized Iraq as (an albeit fucked up) sovereign nation. He showed mercy. He used diplomacy. And steadily weakened the power of Hussein.

Once he left, it all went to hell again under Clinton, and his lesser enabled and lesser enlightened progeny.

Hm. What would the world be like if HW got that second term? The world was building, there was peace. A freaking Age of Diplomacy was growing(call it the War on Non-Diplomacy, as you like) -- yep, under a Republican. Boo-ya. But, we'll never know. And in the words of the '92 spoiler: "That's just sad".