Ung, it's like this. When your friends suggest politely and not so politely to you not to take a course of action and you belligerently ignore--and insult them repeatedly, impugn their motives, slander and mock and threaten them--and then do what it was you threatened to do, THEN run back to them to ask them to help you pick up the pieces of the mess you've made, how do you expect them to respond? Of course, if they're friends, they'll come around, as France, Germany, et. al., will. But so long as W keeps up his cowboy act and refuses even to concede a little, he's going to be tapping us dry before he'll get any assistance.

But then, according to William and John Leo and others, the "problems" in Iraq really aren't that great, our soldiers are basically surrounded by loving Iraqis who adore them and really aren't trying to pick them off. The situation isn't so bad. I'm sure Sérgio Vieira de Mello's widow and all the family members of the deceased and injured US and British soldiers, UN workers, journalists, and slain Iraqis feel differently, but let's not talk about that because it's aiding the enemy. Truth is the enemy of...truth?

I have an estranged brother. He made me and the rest of my family go through more bullshit than I can remember.

I have not spoken to him since last Christmas. If he were to suddenly appear asking to borrow (meaning "have") $2000 while telling me, "Don't worry about what it's for ass****. Just give me the money", I know wha my reaction would be.

Isn't that the same situation we have with our statement that the other nations have "an obligation" to send soldiers and money?
If I were "Old Europe" and "Irrelevant U.N." I know what I would say to him/

From the AP today, some interesting comments by Democratic Party leaders:


In more than a dozen interviews, party activists warned that Bush still has the upper hand; raised doubts about their newest candidate, Wesley Clark; urged second-tier contenders to get out of the race and worried that the primary fight could drag longer than expected - perhaps even into the summer convention.

"That would be an unnatural state and uncomfortable for people, but it might be healthy for the party. These nobodies like Sharpton, Braun, Kucinich,and others shouldn't be in the race and should step aside so someone else can win," said DNC member Debbie Dingell of Michigan. She said some of her state's top Democrats are considering going to the 2004 presidential convention uncommitted.


Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe led a drive to compress the primary contests into a six-week window ending in early March. The strategy allows for the eventual nominee to gather his forces against Bush, who is expected to raise tens of millions dollars more than any Democrat.

Ike Leggett, chairman of the Maryland party, said the race may last deep into the spring or summer. "But I don't subscribe to the notion that we need somebody now. I think it's healthy that we have a tough race, 10 voices raised against Bush," Leggett said.

Most DNC members said they believe Dean's fund-raising success makes him a sure bet to survive the first few primary rounds, and the only question now is who emerges as the alternative. Some are anxious to get on with it.

"The fact that these candidates haven't caught fire, haven't raised any money, can't campaign in every state and won't even qualify for Secret Service protection in January tells me it's time for them to go," said Donna Brazile, manager of Vice President Al Gore's 2000 campaign.

Brazile, who has not taken sides in the race, declined to say who she wants to drop out. Anita Freedman, a DNC member from New Hampshire, said her list would start with Florida Sen. Bob Graham, who lags in polls and is being advised to get out of the race or dramatically trim back his campaign.

"I wish some of them would get out, because they're not really running," said Freedman, a supporter of Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri.

Clark, a retired Army general, has shaken up the race. Democrats said they are intrigued by his potential to stand toe-to-toe with Bush on foreign policy, but some questioned the Arkansan's commitment to the party.

"He's got a long way to go before he shows he's a Democrat people can support," said Tonio Burgos of New Jersey. "To me, he seems an opportunist who suddenly was reborn as a Democrat."

Clark voiced strong support for the Bush administration in 2001, and didn't declare his allegiance to the Democratic Primary until shortly before he jumped into the race Sept. 17. He's not even a registered Democrat.

Tina Abbott, secretary treasurer of the AFL-CIO in Michigan, said she's unsettled by Clark's short ties to the party. "What's a real Democrat? He says he's one. But I don't know him that well. I hope to get to know him at the meeting," she said.

One thing the Democrats agree upon is Bush's vulnerability.

When the DNC last met in February, the president's job approval rating hovered around 60 percent. Now, it's in the high 40s to mid 50s. Public approval of his handling of issues from Iraq to the economy to other domestic matters has dropped.

"Six months ago, activists were hoping we'd be competitive. Today is a whole different story," said Vern Thompson, executive director of the North Dakota party. "It looks like Bush II is going to be like Bush I, though the presence of Ross Perot was one factor not present this time around."

Still, no Democrat thinks the president is a pushover.

"He has a huge warchest, and as a country we still like him personally," Leggett said. "The country also is still hesitant about what to do in a time of crisis, with terrorism around the world."

Even as U.S. casualties mount in Iraq, the economy takes hits and the Justice Department investigates the White House over the outing of a covert CIA agent, "Bush still gets the benefit of the doubt," Leggett said.

"His likeability carries him to some degree. Nothing we can do about that."

###

W is seriously in trouble, poll-and-otherwise.

Yahoo!: Poll shows increased doubts about Iraq war, W

A little more detail on the above poll:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/10/02/...ain576341.shtml