Bush to address the nation tonight...

I can''t speak for France, but I know Germany is and will be an ally/friend of the US. Is anybody who does not talk after your mouth an enemy?

I agree. I think most Germans will always consider the USA a friend. (not just saying this because I''m employed by a German company! )

At least Germany is helping with the peace keeping efforts in Bosnia and in Afghanistan. From my perspective you don''t see too much of a backlash against Germany for their stance on this, but the French are a lightening rod for US Angst, and I must say in some regards, rightfully so.

Sad to hear you think that way about the partnership between EU/US

The gap between the United States and EU is only going to grow. The people are very different. Americans are very conservative compared to the people of Europe.

I can''t speak for france, but I know Germany is and will be an ally/friend of the US. Is anybody who does not talk after your mouth an enemy?

Just because France isn''t an ally doesn''t mean we''re enemies. Germany I still consider a friend. They just have a putz in office who made some moronic comments. I don''t let one putz speak for a whole country. But that''s just me.

You are reading too much into that. First and Foremost, France has the interest of not getting into an economic downward spiral due to the strike in Iraq as it is currently expected. You gov was very successful dividing the EU. Maybe you think about why they are so eager about that.

France has illegal dealings with Iraq. The President of France called Saddam a friend to France (and this wasn''t too long ago). France has divided the EU more than us by telling smaller nations to shut up. France divided the EU by thinking that they set the EU policy.

France wants to be a super power and they just aren''t anymore.

I have no problem with a nation not supporting us on this war but I do have a problem with that nations tries to hurt our efforts.

I heard somewhere that some ministers in France were honestly wondering why they were risking the scorn of the US over Saddam Hussein of all people.

"Rat Boy" wrote:

I heard somewhere that some ministers in France were honestly wondering why they were risking the scorn of the US over Saddam Hussein of all people.

I''ve read that too.

Most of Europe is with us and not with the French and Germans.

I''m sorry, but that''s misleading. You''re really going to have to qualify whether you''re talking about popular opinion, or the opinion of leaders, and even then, proportionally speaking, I''d be hard pressed to buy into this. By my count, the only significant European countries that are ''with us'' are the UK, Spain and Italy, and the UK only by virtue of one guy. My understanding that popular opinion in the UK is overwhelmingly against war. Hey, it''s great that a country like Armenia is ''with us'' but what the hell does it mean for them to be ''with us''? Are they bringing sandwiches?

"Elysium" wrote:
Most of Europe is with us and not with the French and Germans.

I''m sorry, but that''s misleading. You''re really going to have to qualify whether you''re talking about popular opinion, or the opinion of leaders, and even then, proportionally speaking, I''d be hard pressed to buy into this. By my count, the only significant European countries that are ''with us'' are the UK, Spain and Italy, and the UK only by virtue of one guy. My understanding that popular opinion in the UK is overwhelmingly against war. Hey, it''s great that a country like Armenia is ''with us'' but what the hell does it mean for them to be ''with us''? Are they bringing sandwiches?

I was talking about the leadership. Most countries can''t help us with their military and some are going to send money. Japan has offered to give us billions of dollars (and we never asked them). By ''with us'' I mean diplomatic support.

Hey, it''s great that a country like Armenia is ''with us'' but what the hell does it mean for them to be ''with us''? Are they bringing sandwiches?

You can cut that sarcasm with a knife!

Forgot to add my main point.

It''s really hard to get an honest gague on popular opinion in the UK, US or anywhere. Certain media outlets have definite agendas, some for, some against war. Public polls are often skewed as well depending on how the question is asked, etc. This morning on CBS radio they said the majority of Americans now support a war with Iraq. If I turn on the morning ""news"" shows you would think we are at a point of anarchy in an effort to NOT go to war. So it''s tough to judge the public opinion...Anti-War protests all over the world are loud and make great TV, but is that the majority?

It''s really hard to get an honest gague on popular opinion in the UK, US or anywhere

Not in the UK it isn''t.

Popular opinion against something here hasn''t been as vocal as it currently is since the poll tax riots that toppled Margaret Thatcher from power. Tony Blair himself may well have to cope with a leadership challenge if we go to war without a Second U.N. resolution. Also tonight in the UK the legality of the war is being challenged. ( the main downside of this is on troops who may well fight in the war as they could face international trial for war crimes)

Also tonight in the UK the legality of the war is being challenged. ( the main downside of this is on troops who may well fight in the war as they could face international trial for war crimes)

Wow. Tell me you''re joking.

Check out this article when you have a minute, I think it''s pretty good, not great, but good. She even uses my ""all politics are local""!

http://slate.msn.com/id/2070880/

Everyone going to love this... Bush is now buying the support for war....

http://www.theonion.com/onion3908/bush_offers_taxpayers.html

"Pulse" wrote:

Wow. Tell me you''re joking.

Nope he is not. UK ratified the international court in Den Haag. Going to war without UN sanction is an act of aggression and any soldier taking part in it may be facing the trial.