No it isn't. Germany would still have lost to Russia (though the war would have been more protracted and bloody). However, I think other posters' criticisms of America for entering WW2 for its own self-interest is wrong. Maybe that's why the politicians decided to enter it, but ordinary American soldiors must surely have believed that they were fighting because it was the right thing to do (which it was).

As for appeasement, I think you can draw a neat analogy betweeen the situation with Hitler in the 30s and the situation with Saddam Hussein now, but there's not necessarily any reason to believe history will repeat itself in this case. You can probably come up with a historical analogy to support pretty much any political position.

Exactly, it wants (needs) to get more. It's also a PR thing - it's easy for us cynics to look at the Bush administration and see oil, oil and more oil, just because of the business connections. Incedentally, I think the argument that Iraq should be invaded to ensure Western/American supplies of oil in the short term is actually quite a legitimate one; it's the duplicity that bothers me.

No hard feelings here either :)

Alex

bentman78, you are an idiot and a troll.

How come?

He's not intelligent enough to carry on a civil debate. He resorts to name calling. Just like a 5 year old. If that's all he can muster so be it. Let him wallow in self pity.

Well, for a few reasons.

bentman says that he won't address my points because, like Schatoor who has decided wisely to ignore this thread, I called his argument bullshit. Which it is. Only a less than clever American would believe that. Did you know that the Germans were far more fearful of the Russians than of the GIs.

The other reason he gives for him being able to skirt round the real issue is that bentman78 believes in bible, barbecue and baseball just like his country's president. For some Americans, the president is a moral figure rather than simply one of the landed gentry of the political class. My argument which bentman wishes to avoid is that he believe his government 100% when they say "We are doing this to uphold a moral cause".

bentman78's views on the war are well known not only on this forum but everywhere else in the world. Did you know that US tourism to the UK dropped this and last year because many Americans thought the UK was ... in the Middle East.

You should listen to your academy award winners and intellectuals more. They know your views - it's time you got to know theirs.

To top it all, bentman78 says that I resort to name calling. In the next sentence he calls me a 5 year old. Oh dear.

Bentman78, you are an idiot and a troll. You've dragged me down to your level so I'm outta here too.

Q*Bert

Since everyone is taking their ball and going home this seems like a tremendous opportunity to close this thread.