Re: Should international opinion determine the United States Who should determine U.S. targets in the war (when it has been declared according to our Constitution) on terrorism would be the military commanders confronting the enemy in person. It is commonplace today for people to declare that they have not a care what other people think of them or their actions...but an old timer once said in response to such a comment, "That is true, but I surely do appreciate having a good reputation." I believe the definition of who is and is not an ally changes with considerable frequency, and that in fact there is no "international community" at all, for that reason among many others. Friends become foes and back again by their own and our own choices...or so history appears to clearly prove.
Bluehawk

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States Because terrorism is directed at the free democratic world and not the USA alone, I think that the opinions of the international free democratic countries (or whatever heck the name is) should be taken into consideration when determining action.
I know that the USA & the WTC was targeted. And I know that the terriorists hate the USA with a passion. But other countried have been targeted also. I am just very surprised that major countries such as Britian/ Canada etc have not been blasted.
The rest of the world is out there.... and regardless of who makes the decisions, just what those decision are and how they are done will affect us too.
don't forget us ok. My apologies for my country being such a wussy in these things......

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States

Are you kidding? For way too long, we have predicated our foreign policy on what the rest of the world might think of us, a position that has not brought us any friends, but derisive scorn in place of friendship. What other countries use international opinion as the driving force that formulates their foreign policy? A superpower acts like one.

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States

Interesting points Sue. I would not call your country names though. Canada has stood by the U.S. through many conflicts large and small. I will never forget how Canada brought home the hostages from Iran. That was a defining moment for my high regard of Canada at a young age.

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States

Thanks David: The Canada of today though is a far cry from the Canada that brought home the hostages from Iran. There is no backbone in this country's politicians and even less regard for honesty & integrity in parliment. Sigh.

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States Today, February 4th (10 days prior to the inspector's report to UN), Mr. Perle of our Pentagon stated flatly that, "France is no longer our ally." Had it not been for the very crucial and timely naval and other military assistance of France in the late 1700s, it is doubtful that there would be a United States as we know it. They joined our troops in fighting and defeating a far superior British force, with whose present day government ours is now an ally-of-convenience for the purpose, apparently, of returning to the persian gulf to clean up in the 21st century part of the mess that Britain left behind in the 19th. So much for international opinion, including our own.
Bluehawk

Re: Should international opinion determine the United States

I don't like it,but...If we are so all fired up to be part of the united nations, then we are bound by its rules. If the rules state that we must go by the majority, I am sorry,but we made the choice. I am for getting out,but I don't run the country.If we stay in the U.N. and keep on as we are going, we are acting just like the Russians of the sixties or the Chinese of the 70's. If we stay we have to be willing to go with the U>N> majority. Therefore our opinions will be influenced or determined by others.