While the Bush administration is busy demonizing Iran for attempting to acquire a domestic nuclear energy capability and for allegedly supporting insurgents in Iraq in some minimal ways, the same Bush administration is busy sending money and other aid to Pakistan. (We all know the real reason is that it doesn't cut Western multinational oil companies in on the proceeds of it's oil.)

On the other hand, Pakistan is probably the biggest nuclear proliferator in the world. The attempt to blame it on a "rogue" scientist who was pardoned by the Pakistanis is patently ridiculous.

And Pakistan provides all manner of support for al-Qaeda, the Taleban and OBL. Intelligence, warnings, arms and money. On a major scale, not the dribbles which are alleged Iran provides.

So on both counts Pakistan is a far bigger threat to the world than Iran. Yet the American taxpayer is helping support that threat. Because it is allegedly "helping" on the "war on terror".

Someone mentioned the importance of "beliefs" and "principles" on another board. What beliefs, what part of integrity, is operating here.

I know politics makes strange bedfellows. But will the US sleep with anyone? Saddam wasn't exporting nuclear technology, wasn't supporting terrorism after 1993, according to the man in charge of counterterrorism at the time of 9-11, Richard Clarke.

America has become a strange place, at the moment seemingly lacking any moral guideposts, any coherent standards. All that's consistent is to enrich very large corporations. That seems to be it.

Arf