After an exhausting session with Victoria's Secret Police, Cub Driver
blurted out:

For the rebuilding of Iraq, the United States has pledged $20 billion,
Japan has pledged $1.5 billion, and the European Union has pledged
$235 million.

GWB stated that he didn't need "current" UN backing to invade Iraq
(saying the authority was already in place). Fine. Ride 'em cowboy!

Ignoring the *majority* of the EU nations' opinions was a risk he was
willing to accept. Okay we made the mess, we get to clean it up. The
Iraqi's will be greatful to the US...cool.

To suggest that the EU should be greatful for GWB's foreign policy WRT
to Iraq is mis-guided. To suggest they should defray the costs of
cleaning up the mess we made is wishful thinking. GWB "crapped in
their mess kit," the EU owes nothing to GWB (and by extension the
USA's current foreign policy).

I suspect that you would be equally irate if the EU pledged a greater
amount than the US. The logic being, "Well we kicked Hussein's regime
out, and now those euros are trying to horn in on our re-building
effort and take credit for our efforts."

This is a NO WIN situation for the EU.

How can anyone take Europe seriously as a force in the world?

Well it's pretty easy, the EU has a huge economy...lots of economic
strength. I just finished the last of a six-pack of North Umbrian
Brown Ale...great stuff!

Military force? Probably enough to defend their territory.

Military Force projection? Not a great deal of that, but our friends
in europe don't really see a need for that. That is perfectly
reasonable. While we (the US and the EU) might agree on the need to
fight terrorism, clearly they found no compelling argument in
overthrowing Mr Hussein's despotic regime. Again perfectly reasonable.

Reasonable folks will disagree, as will partners for time to time. GWB
and you Dan should not expect our friends to fall over themselves to
pay our freight when we **** them off.

Someone please remind me how much the U.S. has spent in the former
Yugoslavia. How many billions have we ****ed away, putting out fires
in Europe's outhouse? Why are we continuing to put men and treasure
into the Balkans?

Different situation entirely...a cooperative effort. But you know
that.

Juvat