I am not versed in international law, but find it difficult to condone the unilateral act by the US in going to Iran
Wow, you got me, MK ...and I thought I was being so magnanimous!
You know, I spent 3 weeks in Iran just before 9/11. While there we met several tourist groups coming back from Iraq and were determined to do our next trip there. It all went to hell and we didn't go.
While in Iran, we met many wonderful people and wondered why these frictions occur. Iran is not basically a Muslin nation, yet it is under the thumb of Muslim fundamentalists. After all, in the case of Iran, most educated people have sent theri kids to the US for the pas 20 years, or in recent years, to Europe.
Bush often says: "In God we Trust". It is becoming a meaningless war cry and a pull toward fundamentalism, not disimilar to what we hear from the Mid-East countries. When I was a kid we used to do the Pledge of Alegence and always said "one nation under God". Later, US citizens prevailed and the courts said we couldn't say that 3 letter word anymore in class. So, God was banished from the classroom. How come Bush can say that? Tell me, MK, what is going on.
Two years ago I spent 2 weeks in Cuba. Gave me a chance to review US history and policy in that country. Do you realize that from 1903 to 1906 or so, the US ran a military dictatorship in Cuba? The US then put Batista in place, but later applauded Castro when things went wrong with their "man". Then Castro asked for help and the US Govm't refused him. (He had screwed around with oil company refineries). That sound familiar, too? He fell back on the Russians in desparation. The rest is history. But, that poor little island is basically subject to a bunch of zenophobic congressmen who haven't any idea about human nature or how history works in the present. They wear blinders.
I'm cynical about the leaders in DC with cause. I have no confidence in their vision, not their intent. Short term decisions for short term gains, and "sauve qui peut".
Sorry, MK about the blunder.