[Looks like the US is going home.]

At this link you will see Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddan Hussien.

http://www.fantompowa.org/cia_coups_iraq.htm

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"I don't support "interfering in sovereign nations' internal politics," so what you're asking/your point isn't clear to me in light of my views."

It should be obvious. Although you seem to be sucking and blowing you condone your government orchestrating the downfall of Saddam Hussien.

Here is another link for you http://www.iraqwararchive.org/data/apr20/canada/star002.pdf

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"Since Saddam's regime was brutal, there's nothing "morally wrong" with removing it from power just because there are "worse" out there. That's like saying it's morally wrong to give to any poor/disadvantaged people who aren't the poorest of the poor because that's where our resources should have gone."

I am not sure morality should enter into these discussions. However if it does there are many examples of immoral conduct by the American military industrial complex and its active support of repressive regimes. There are many examples in Central and South America. Again you appear to ignore the involvement of the CIA and its role in helping Saddam in his rise to power in the 1950s.

Here is one of a number of links http://www.representativepress.org/CIASaddam.html

[Looks like the US is going home.]

Apart from the rather dubious premise for the invasion of Iraq in the first place the question remains are the people of Iraq, on balance, better off now than they were before the occupation of their country? The infrastructure has been destroyed and thousands have been killed and wounded. That people are still questioning what the future will hold is, in itself, an admission of failure. The cost of that war to the American treasury is estimated in the trillions of dollars not to mention troop deaths and casualties. While the USA was satisfying George W. Bush's desire to kill and capture Saddam Hussien the effort in Afghanistan floundered and opponents there regrouped.

As it currently stands Iran has gained influence at the expense of the west both in Iraq and to a lesser extent in Afghanistan. If the American goal was to bring peace and stability to the region they have failed. With all the military might available there is still no end in sight.

The USA should take heed with what happened to the British and the Russians when they attempted to occupy countries in that region.

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"What I said is Iraq suffered, and continues to suffer, from internal problems outside of U.S. et al involvement"

In what respect is Iraq suffering in your view?

It seems to me Iraq has a functioning democracy with a parliament and a representative form of government. What are these problems you refer to?

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"So you support keeping a brutal dictator in power? For the sake of ... what? A sense of stability? In spite of what too many are being subjected to? Because I'm reading it as if you're supporting or defending Saddam being left in power.'"

With all due respect you are misreading what I am saying. History shows your nation has supported many despotic regimes. Do you not recognize the damage that has been inflicted upon Iraq by the duplicitous conduct of your government?

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"I'm having a difficult time understanding how you would conclude that I feel the U.S. is allowed to interfere with the sovereign affairs of another nation."

I don't want to speculate on your feelings. What I do know is that the USA has a history of gun boat diplomacy to protect strategic interests. I am sure you will agree that the oil resources in the Middle East is what attracted the Americans to the region in the first place.

[Looks like the US is going home.]

"I think it is ultimately impossible to help someone who doesn't want it, so in that regard, I support pulling our troops out of Iraq. I had hoped it would be under better conditions, that conditions in Iraq would be better than they are when they left, but there comes a time when fighting against their wishes doesn't accomplish what one would like to accomplish."

I take it you feel that the USA is allowed to interfere with the sovereign affairs of another nation.

If you are familiar with the history of Iraq you will realize the USA has been playing many of the regional players against each other for quite some time. Further to this by disbanding Saddam's forces, as was done under Paul Bremner, the conditions created lead to the destruction of Iraq. I take it you must be aware of the various connections to Iran in the case of the Shiites and other regional states as it relates to the Sunni. Then in the northern part of Iraq you have the Kurds and the impact there in relation to Turkey.It isn't so much that the Iraqis don't want American help as it is real politik that prevails today.

Those problems you refer to were created, in part, by the actions of the Americans and British and the so called coalition of he willing.

[Looks like the US is going home.]

The Canadian Prime Minister can't seem to make up his mind. It really is too bad that those choosing to occupy Afghanistan didn't bother to study the history of that region. Had they done so they would have known what was in store for them.

[Looks like the US is going home.]

The US and the coalition share resposbility for the turmoil, even after they leave. Such things don't occur in a vacuum.

Good point. I am wondering when the Americans will leave the narcostate of Afghanistan.

[End of Life Planning - A Rare Obama Idea I Can Live With]

Individuals should prepare a living will in consultation with family members and medical practitioners. Just because we have the technology to extend life doesn't mean we should utilize precious healthcare resources keeping someone breathing indefinitely.

[Fixed Election Date]

Eliminate the positions of premier and Prime Minister. Since they are hardly mentioned in the Constitution, no amendment is required.

If there is a need for a prime minister then maybe the person should be elected by a majority of parliamentarians or alternatively by giving the voters the choice at election time.

[Will there be more Mayor Ford's appearing across Canada?]

Perhaps those enthralled by this Ford character should wait and see whether he really accomplishes anything during his term of office.

[New Party Name Needed]

The "people in the tent cities", Greece, and Ireland don't vote in Canada. CNN is an American cable television network.

So how are these examples relevant to Canada's "kings"?

And after your update to rage about the "new Rome", be advised that the world's poor are still heading for America for their shot at opportunity.

America has more than its share of people in poverty. Secondly the poor are migrating to many of the Europeans states where they take jobs and are often exploited by locals. Tent cities or shantytowns exist throughout the world.