[Mohammed El-Shahawi]

You make an interesting observation and a good point for discussion. One has to look for "war fever". War fever was present in London in 1983 just before Britain went to war with Argentina. It is absolutely unmistakeable when it happens. It means crews are working 24 hour shifts welding parts to ships, military personnel are going crazy. Officers are on the phone begging their unit commanders for a place in the action. Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do. The more dramatic the war, the better. The coming conflict with Iraq is likely to be the biggest event since WWII - they wouldn't miss it for anything.

Is there presently "war fever"? I would say no - in fact not by a long shot. Maybe this thing is much further away than we think.

[RightWhale]

Is there presently "war fever"? I would say no

Absolutely correct. There is no sign. But remember that there was no war fever in Berlin when Barbarossa jumped off. People looked up from their coffeecakes and said, "Yeah, so?" It was a couple of years later before signs of alarm began to be noticeable in Berlin.

[XBob]

newbie You obviously don't know much about American Professional Warriors. We don't ache for war like Muslims, and likewise we are not driven by god to create wars to take over the world, we are reluctant warriors, who fight like hell when attacked.

[RightWhale]

I know that your nick is a joke, but I'll be darned if I can look up even a single word in my Arabic dictionary as yet. Tell us.

[OKSooner]

American soldiers fight from an obligation to duty, not from bloodlust like the people who were dancing in the streets after the 9-11 attack. Not like the people who rejoice over buses full of civilians being incinerated, either. You wouldn't understand that though, would you?

[stuartcr]

In the US, 'war-fever' doesn't last too long with the majority. Most people just want to get on with their lives.

[El Gato]

just before Britain went to war with Argentina

I believe you've got that backwards, it was Argentina that intiated hostilities, the Brits were just hopping mad about it and didn't waste much time in striking back.

[El Gato]

Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do.

Sure they do, they are only the ones that get to do the fighting and such dieing as can't be avoided. Actually, IF there is a war, they want in. But want the war? Not many, an even smaller fraction of thsoe who've already seen the elephant.

[Mark17]

War fever was present in London in 1983 just before Britain went to war with Argentina.

It was in 1982

Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do. The more dramatic the war, the better.

Wrong. I was in the military for 20 years, and never saw this. There may be one or two sick freaks like this, but they are in a very, very tiny minority.

[ARCADIA]

One has to look for "war fever". War fever was present in London in 1983 just before Britain went to war with Argentina. It is absolutely unmistakeable when it happens.

Good point, Moe. And, yes, as far as I can tell, it has not happened yet. But, as post #4 explained, we are in the prelude phase, where anti-war crowd is making a fuss.

[Don Corleone]

Professional soldiers want a war - of course they do. The more dramatic the war, the better.

They are the last ones who want a war since they are the first ones to be killed by it. If you had any significant military experience you would know that.. even if you knew nothing else!

[semaj]

"Professional soldiers want a war."

No they don't. But if one occurs, you can bet they want in it.