No doubt Saddam is bad news - but you have to remember that the US picked him out and then at least toerated the coup with which he siezed power. Now who was reponsible for that?

As for our altruism in saving Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Safire forgets that we did this not only because it was right, but also to ensure our own oil supplies. When he omits the contributions made by troops from many other nations in this effort, he insults every serviceman among them.

While its true that France faces occasional terrorist attacks from extremists in Algeria, in general Europe does not face terrorist attacks - US and Israeli targets within Europe face attack.

There's a few other things here, which we can pass over...

As for Powell, the campaign to reduce his influence is on. My feeling is that if the Israeli expansion faction win this debate, this thing is going to blow...

ep