thijs,

Stop and think for a moment. If the U.S. went to war, there had to be a plan to rebuild Iraq made in advance. Waiting until after the battles were over to decide where to start would be totally stupid. Now, assuming the U.S. was wise enough to have a plan for rebuilding, which obviously they were - why in hell would we put American money up and offer it out as contracts to anyone other than Americans? What's your idea? See if the French or Germans want to bid on them? Even before the hostilities start? Just stating that it was a "good old boy" deal is grasping at straws.

What's ironic is that both the German and French governments have already "voiced their concerns" that they won't get "their fair share of contracts" in the rebuilding of Iraq. They never cease to amaze me with their stupidity.

As for the end justifies the means - really now. There's pages of text in here indicating our reasons for believing what we do. Don't jump on this phrase and ride it, it's not worthy of a response.

Wolf