Rule, Brittania!

Just a word of friendly advice: sending me rants about the 2000 election, or Enron, or Dick Cheney/Halliburton, or Bush's education policy, or whatever other hobbyhorse you might want to ride isn't likely to accomplish much.

1. You have no idea what my position is on these issues. Assuming that I adhere to some monolithic "Republican" dogma is sheer arrogance on your part.

2. No matter whether I agree or disagree with Bush on other issues, on THIS issue (you know, the IMPORTANT issue... the one that's got us on the brink of war) Bush is right and you're wrong.

Keep your cheap electioneering slogans to yourself. Better still, stick them up your fucking ass.

That is all.

And so it begins.

I'm relieved to see that Japan, at least, is standing by us. Thanks, Japan. (hat tip: Cato the Youngest)

We've certainly found out who our real friends are, haven't we? Only Australia and the UK are helping out militarily. A handful of other countries are offering moral (or other non-military) support, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, and much of the "New Europe".

We ve also learned that our friends DO NOT include Canada and Mexico. That should make the next round of NAFTA-type talks, er.... interesting. I wouldn't count on us forgetting this any time soon, guys.

It's clear that very, very few of our so-called "allies" are willing to stand by us. Depressing, I know, but I suspect that it's better to learn it now rather than later. Learning by surprise that we can't count on, say, Canada could hurt us. A lot.

As a devout agnostic, let me add this:

God bless the United States of America. God bless the men and women of our armed forces. Come home safe.