Hi LJ,

I like your participation on this board, but I rarely join you because you say things so well, and as a fellow Canadian (by birth), I carry the same perspective as you do about American politics.
To answer your questions:

>what is your impression of the general public opinion on all this? Do people care about the justifications, results and implications of war?

I live in the south, and work out at a regional airport and come in contact with national and international travellers every day and I have plenty of time to interact with them and gather their personal opinions.
I find that about 80% were (and still are) opposed to this "war". Most people think Bush is not very bright and is leading this country down a dangerous path. However, I have run into strong conservatives (some who are my friends!) who make relatively strong points in his favor, although I tend to disagree with them.
I heard a couple of Americans making fun of the French right after the war started and I thought they were doing it to look cool. In my mind, their bravado was sadly lacking and I felt sorry for such bigots. These are the guys who want to be with the "in crowd", while they still enjoy french wines and their wives still wear expensive french perfume.
I DON'T believe the polls on Bush's popularity, and I can see how the media and it's mergers are presenting the "news". Now that time has passed, more and more people are speaking up and demanding answers and Bush's shiny armor is getting a little tarnished.
It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my perception of his policies anymore, as more and more people are speaking up and demanding answers.
No, from my point of view, what you read about the "good Mr. Bush" is mostly hype.
I see him uttering something on TV, and just go "pffttt..."