[astounded]

The Japanese philosophy of bushido is what made the use of fission weapons necessary against the Imperial Empire in 1945. Bushido was an ingrained, implict part of the vast majority of the Japanese military that explains, for example, their decimation at Iwo Jima and the kamikazi phenomenon. Contrary to what some may believe, there is no comparable spirit among the muslims - despite the "kamikazi" nature of 9/11/01. Some may fret over the "rage" that is feared to erupt in the "Arab street" as a reason not to liberate Iraq and clean up the rest of the Muslim mid-east, mistakenly comparing that to a similar doctrine. I completely disagree - the muslim fanatics are basically cowards who are comfortable only when attacking unarmed civilians - preferably women and children. The bushido-driven Japanese for the most part (Nanking notwithstanding, of course) had no fear of human wave attacks against American automatic and heavy weaponry. I submit that the appearance of a US mushroom cloud over Baghdad - while regrettable because it would signify a CBW attack on the US - would go a long way to calming down the rest of the Middle East and other muslim "countries". Just my TCW.

[ffusco]

I agree in so far that Bushido was a revival of ancient Samurai martial values effectively promoted during the Emperor Hirohito's hyper-nationalistic fascist period. This was used effectively to creat a new Samuari-class of warrior known as a Kamikazi. Muslim fanaticism is different since it is not a national creed but a spiritual one and so transcends all political boundaries. Truly a Manchurian Candidate paranoid fantasy. Arab courage or cowardice not withstanding, there will always be one patsy ready to die for Allah willing to kill hundreds or millions of people.