It was Socrates who began the saying out with the Gods and in with the Good.

Maybe we could well believe that the above is George Dubya's problem too much believing what God would do rather than using just plain commonsense.

Socrates also said that we can only find the true Good by letting our thoughts run deep.

Well, really what chance is there to let the thoughts run deep these days, when with most of us getting around with mobile phones clutched to the ear, what chance is there with our thoughts not going much deeper than just behind the eyes and ears?

It probably began when we shut our minds to little Israel going militarily nuclear way back in the late 1960s, immediately making deadly enemies of 90 percent of Middle East Muslims.

But the US, including practically all the rest of the West just let it happen, which through not using our gifts of wisdom and understanding may yet prove to be, with Iran the main Israeli target, and the US mess in Iraq added, may yet prove to make the nuclear attack on Hiroshima in comparison seem like a firecracker.

which planet is this guy writing about?

the usa has been pursuing a policy of ruthless self-interest in the middle east since the 1930's. they have not been entirely successful even by their own standards, in part through the stupidity inherent in arrogance and in part due to the intransigence of the locals, who persist in wanting to run the place themselves.

but it hasn't been for lack of trying, and idealism never drew a breath.

'real-politik' in fact is always short-sighted, and usually just means "why i should have what i want". long-term planning must include morality and consultation because creating enemies through injustice is not survival oriented.