Hmmm ! - I was going to stay out of this thread, as I could see it dgenerating into a spate of transatlantic/leftish v rightish US of A bashing. Something I have forsworn since 11th Sept.01.

However - Spaw has put his finger on it, as did Amos in another thread. The War against Disease, Poverty, Illiteracy etc. I do not know if the US of A has every formally declared war on this factors, be they internal or external.

Amos raised FDR's four freedoms some days ago, Spaw raised the spectre of poverty. Historically, if I recall Kennedy started the Peace Corp and USAID to developing nations. Trueman gave us the Marshall Aid.

Not withstanding positions on the very neccessary action against the Iraqui dictatorship, and the fundamentalist theocracy in Afghanistan I can't help thinking that if a fraction of the effort poured into the military over the past 50 years ago had been spent on education, and developing basic education, transport and health foundations in the developing world then the need, or desire for military intervention would have subsided.

In the few cases that it might have been rendered neccessary there would not have been this kneejerk anto US of A government protests that seem to be the norm, and the world may well have followed the US of A's lead.

It might have also lead to the position where Bush Jnr would have been unlectable, despit Bro Jebs efforts in purging the electorial rolls.

Just my thoughts !

On a change of tack - The Navel War of 1812 gave a much needed boost to Royal Navey thinking, both on tactics, and conditions for the crew on the lower deck. I think it is fair to say that the foundation for the developement of the Royal Navey as a career, worthy of all, arose from the first frigate actions.

Gareth