"Again the ANC had a political agenda and a clear goal, therefore a negotiated settlement was possible and preferable to all parties involved."

What is it you don't get about the goal of middle east terrorists? The goal seems to be convincing the U.S. to stay out of the Middle East and their business. I think they also disdain our so-called "democracy" and resent the Christian missionaries who are trying to enlighten them. Basically, they do not want to be occupied.

McGrath - excellent post. "When that is the message from the top it enables all sorts of bad behaviour."

Rumsfeld sent that message in 2002 when he declared that the prisoners were not POWS but were enemy combatants, hence there were no rules.