IamJoseph,
Surely you can't be saying that there is no relationship between US foreign policy and terrorist attacks against that country.

Terrorism is a response, not an independent phenomenon.There's a saying that "terrorism is the war of the poor while war is the terrorism of the rich."

The US was "helping" arm Afghanistan several months before the Russians even arrived, just as they (and the Israelis) have had military advisers in Georgia for some time.

The rise of militant Islam as a political movement began in Iran as a result of their sponsorship of the Shah, not to mention their forays into several South American regimes.

They actively trained and promoted today's terrorists for their own purposes until they no longer needed them and are now reaping the result.

If they really want to eliminate that threat then their support of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan seem at odds with that notion.

"The Pope spoke against the Iraq war. I wonder if you read the violent, murderous parts of the Old Testament, or are simply a bad Christian who is destined for a long stay in Hell."

Since when is the Pope or Vatican a good example of caring for lives - have you read its history? The Pope should have spoken about Sadaam Hussein, and the vile nazi like villifications parading Islamic teachings - specially so when those villifications come from the vatican's backyards. The last two Popes were relatively good guys, but we've yet to see it cleanse the mildew like the Blood Libels and Protocols - European falsehoods which have thus far claimed millions of innocent lives. One must not choose what they like and discard what they don't.

"IamJoseph the world owes America nothing. your servitude to them reveals your bias and untrustworthiness. We are all trading and peacefully with a Communist country right now which is hosting the Olympics. "

True the games are a spectacular display - but what's behind it? We saw what was behind the 1936 Olympics - and we saw many chant, VE VERE NOT AVARE too. I put it to you, if America did not confront communism, the world would be different today, and one reason we don't see communist states wanting to encroach the world. We do owe heaps to America, and Europe has let humanity down - as always - in the Iraq war which it alone established, condoned and fostered those Regimes, and in the Vietnam war it stayed behind from, when it was primarily its war. America is not a ve Vere Not Avare nation - consider it well.

Hi Joseph,
you are absolutely right, but we in Australia don't really differanciate that much in good or bad causes for going into war.
Since WW2 there is not a lot to be proud of, is there?
If tomorrow Big Brother takes on Iran, we will be most happy to join them again in their fight against evil, as we are an easy going nation, and not asking all those inconvinient questions.
If we would start and develop our own opinion, the world would have an additional new nation, as at the moment we are only rated as the US deputy sheriff anyway. And that for a very good reason. But that would mean that we need to come clear about our wrong doing in the past, and that would most definetly hurt. Anzac day, a very important day for us, which has become even more important after the reign of John Howard, might need to be seen and celebrated in a different way, so who would want this? With our given mindset at this stage not us Aussies anyway...
cheers m2catter

This topic has become extremely muddied - particularly by those who describe themselves as christians. The height of their hypocrisy is that they actually try to justify this war - beyond sense.

Fact: the situation in Iraq could've been managed without invasion.

Has no-one heard of negotiation? It is how we are expected to live our everyday lives. We may not agree with what happens to us, but last time I checked taking out an Uzi and blasting the boss into bloody fragments was still illegal.

War is the legalisation of actions that in normal day to day living, are beyond justification. In war you are free to rape, torture and murder other people with whom you have no personal grudge. War is the exemption clause for the criminal behaviour of government and big business.

Why is it only nations with energy resources that warrant USA interest?

Rhetorical question.

"IamJoseph,
Surely you can't be saying that there is no relationship between US foreign policy and terrorist attacks"

Yes, and further, it is Europe which caused all terrorism, by its fostering and legitimising of Arab regimes. Terrorism is global and occuring with any and every reason, usually requiring no legitimate reason, and embedded in innocent muslim's via European fostered Regimes who appoint poisonous clerics.

Consider that India was the most generous nation, giving away a third of her lands, thanks to Briton's corruption with Regimes - and what has India to show for it? - daily massacres and demands for a third state in Kashmir? I say, Europe should have considered states for the Kurds, Coptics and Druse - who predate both Islam and the Arab race in this region; instead, Europe adopted the most corrupt deeds for oil.

Indians cannot obtain citizenship in Islamic states, but gives this facility to Muslims. Result: a one-way traffic of loosing lands. This doctrine is embedded in bad nterpretations of religion, and reciprocity is never demanded, because Europe is silent and condones this at the UN, overwhlming that office with Islamic states majorities. Today you have more mosques than churches in Europe - because no reciprocity is saught of Muslim states - because of oil corruptions - yet you blame America?

Consider why Europe is calling a deathly 3-state in Palestine as a 2-state - when it was Europe who created the first 2-state with Jordan, which was a corruption of her word before the world, and when the Jews were at their most helpless following W.W.11? Today, Europe is accusing Israel of occupying 12% of the land allocated her in the Balfour - when it was Europe which robbed this land, then barred the jews from returning. Why is Europe calling Muslims as Palestinains - when it was Europe who dumped this name on Jews - it is a politcal corruption?

Connect the dots and all terrorism was caused by Europe - including 9/11. And there is none to take those states to task.

"Hi Joseph,
you are absolutely right, but we in Australia don't really differanciate that much in good or bad causes for going into war."

Australia and India would be among the best nations and peoples today - predominantly by swinging awat from European falsehoods; Australia has evolved to that status the last few decades. I don't think Australians go to war unless for the noblest of reasons, while I see the reverse with Europe's abstainence when she should be in the forefront.

It is ubsurd that the world has not yet confronted Iran - let no one claim merits when their resume against such nazi like regimes is blank! Left to Europe, we can be assured of great calamities ahead, and of course - bad America will save Europe.

IMHO, the cause of all today's terror and conflicts is that no recipricity is demanded of islamic states. They get away with every wrong attitude and behaviour - because of Europe. The EU & UN have become Madarasas: why is there no demand for reciprocity, and what are its consequences: one-way traffic and great wars ahead? Why is Europe fostering the most distorted and dis-historical claims as history? When was the last time we saw Europe admit any truths the last few decades? - so today history itself has beome confusing - like we are in a different planet.

Who is the cause of the Kurdish, Coptics and Christian problems in the middle-east today:America or Europe? What are the rights of non-muslims in that region - where are their lands? Why was a Saudi Regime given Jordan - as his personal and private property, as with all the Arab states? Why is a Saudi family boasting each of its family members own $50 Billion - and causing millions of deaths around the world by deflecting on soccer-sized israel - do the Arabs need a new golf course?Who caused both world wars and what will cause a third: I say, a third W.W. can only be avoided or prevailed upon, by reversing Europe's deeds, and thank God for America here.