[XJarhead]

Working under international auspices is highly useful to the US (it deflates somewhat the charge that it is an international hegemon and acting as one, although it is)

You miss the point. We can't operate under U.N. auspices unless we have consensus support anyway. Remember the veto? And your argument turns right on its head in the current situation. Now, because we "must" go through the U.N., we can be portrayed as outlaws. In this circumstance, it is horribly counterproductive to our interests.

[Torie]

No, we just make our case patiently when we must ignore the UN, and that case is made easier if it is due not to a majority vote, but due to a veto. Powell is right here, and Bush was wise to listen to him.