[Ohioan]

My first comment directed attention to Washington's understanding of human psychology. You have apparently ignored the fact that Washington's policy of respecting others values and not meddling in their internal affairs, was psychologically superior to the confused nation building lunacy of George W. Bush. And, indeed, specifically in our own psychological interests.

The vast improvement in travel time, that you cite is certainly a reason to continually upgrade our military equipment, etc.. It is not reason to try to Police other people's internal affairs.

The Washington/Jefferson foreign policy was never the least bit isolationist. It was simply one where we dealt fairly and respectfully with all peoples. If we did not get respect back? Well read the accounts of the Marine seizure and slaughter of the men on board a Barbary Cruiser, that meddled with our rights on the High Seas.

Modernize the hell out of our military. Work with other major powers to common purpose, where it is in our interest. Do not try to force our culture on anyone. If they like our example, well, Bless their hearts. But their heritage is theirs; ours is ours. Mutual respect works miracles; bullying only builds enduring resentment. Or go in any Irish Pub or a Pub in the Scottish Highlands; and inquire as to how their forebears enjoyed being Anglicized.

[DoughtyOne]

My first comment directed attention to Washington's understanding of human psychology. Ok...

You have apparently ignored the fact that Washington's policy of respecting others values and not meddling in their internal affairs, was psychologically superior to the confused nation building lunacy of George W. Bush.

I am not interested in meddling in other people's affairs.  What I am interested in, is global and regional peace.  Iraq was a problem.  It was threatening it's neighbors and Israel.  It's leader was ruthlessly killing his own people.  His sons had joined the effort.  The Kurds were under constant pressure, Hussein would not honor the no fly zones, and this troops were once again amassing on his border.  09/11 came along, and it gave the U. S. the opportunity to act, and it did.

And, indeed, specifically in our own psychological interests.

Our phsychological interests?  How would our interests have been served by Hussein once again attacking his neighbors?  How was it being served by him killing his own citizens at will?  

The vast improvement in travel time, that you cite is certainly a reason to continually upgrade our military equipment, etc.. It is not reason to try to Police other people's internal affairs.

This isn't about telling other nations what they have to do is it?  It was preventing Saddam Hussein and his boys from indescriminantly killing people.  It was eliminating a real ongoing threat to the Kurds, Iraq's neighbors, and the destabalization of the region.  It was about liberating the Iraqi people.  Under these circumstances, if the U. S. didn't stand for what we did, we would have stood for absolutely nothing.  We had given Hussein an ultimatum.  He ignored it.  He paid with his life and the lives of his demonic sons.  .

The Washington/Jefferson foreign policy was never the least bit isolationist. It was simply one where we dealt fairly and respectfully with all peoples. If we did not get respect back? Well read the accounts of the Marine seizure and slaughter of the men on board a Barbary Cruiser, that meddled with our rights on the High Seas.

Please remind me who we are not dealing fairly and respectfully with.

Modernize the hell out of our military. Work with other major powers to common purpose, where it is in our interest. Do not try to force our culture on anyone.

While I have no problem with this, where is this coming from?  You seem to be under the impression Iraq was no different than Colombia, Peru, or Costa Rica.  We don't meddle in the affairs of others without cause.

If they like our example, well, Bless their hearts. But their heritage is theirs; ours is ours.

Okay, so what you seem to be saying, is that we should have returned Saddam Hussein's mutual respect.  Am I misreading your thoughts?  We were talking about nation building and meddling in Iraq's affairs weren't we?

Mutual respect works miracles; bullying only builds enduring resentment. Or go in any Irish Pub or a Pub in the Scottish Highlands; and inquire as to how their forebears enjoyed being Anglicized.

Do you by any chance remember the purple fingers, the big smiles, the absolutely elated freed people?  Evidently not.