As the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations continue one wonders how we ended up in this predicament : having to support two nations of barbaric murderers and pretend to set up a democracy based on freedom and equality in a land and amongst peoples that have a hatred yet for us in their hearts.

We can look back to the words of Sir Francis Bacon, who, over 350 years ago wrote these words, “As for the wars which were anciently made, on the behalf of a kind of party, or tacit conformity of estate, I do not see how they may be well justified: as when the Romans made a war, for the liberty of Grecia; or when the Lacedaemonians and Athenians, made wars to set up or pull down democracies and oligarchies; or when wars were made by foreigners, under the pretence of justice or protection, to deliver the subjects of others, from tyranny and oppression; and the like.”

I do not see why once the threats represented by the Taliban and the make-believe threat of Hussein that this nation must persist in supporting the army, air force, navy, marines and some elements of the Coast Guard in occupations that yield nothing for the general good of America and even less for the occupied countries.

How long must we support this continued adventure? How long must we bear the brunt of the foolishness and lies of foreign nations? What has happened to the American business ethic? Where lies the profit?