So is Janet's split infinitive just a red herring, Judy? (I think InOBU/Larry missed it altogether*G*)

Janet, the Zimbabwe farce included defiance of a court ruling and rampant violence; the USA farce was of a lesser order, and fully legitimised by the judiciary. It is facile to equate the two.

If double standards are your main concern, you might instead despair that the USA has refused to recognise Mugabe's victory, whereas the same administration is nauseatingly chummy with General Musharref. who didn't even bother with the hypocrisy of an election when he seized power in Pakistan.

I should think more than a few American mudcatters were pleased if not proud that it was an American trooper who said, on being asked to sum up his Afghan tour: "Humbling is the word that comes to mind." And after a pause: "I'm not going to complain about much when I get home."