"And while we're setting recors straight. The US didn't act to pay its arrearages to the UN until Ted Turner threatened to pay them himself out of his own bank account..."

Not really. Ted's paying what he promised despite his diminished circumstances and the US is paying what it thinks is due now that the UN promises to abide by legitimate accounting standards and provide audits.

"In Haiti - providing help to the democratically elected government, instead of backing the vested interests engaged in overthrowing it, would have required no international issues. Moreover the reason Aristide's government was in serious trouble in the first place was as a result of economic sanctions sponsored by Washington."

Those sanctions were sponsored by the international community in general, not just the US. Imposed overt fraud in the 2000 elections before Bush came to office. The US followed the French plan on this one and didn't take the initiative, like it or not.

"The big deal now is that there is nothing constitutional about a US president decideing he is going to invade other countries for 'democracies sake'."

There's nothing in the Constitution about why or why not the US can go to war. Congress effectively delegated their powers through the War Powers act out of cowardice. Since they don't have until after a war is started, they're free to see how it's going before committing themselves.

"There is no reason whatsoever to see North Korea as a threat to anyone except perhaps to North Koreans."

The Japanese (and the Chinese when you get them alone) whole heartedly disagree. It would be different if the government in North Korea were a little bit more rational or their economic situtation not quite so desparate. Now that they can launch nuclear armed missles at Japan, there's growing concern they're going to try blackmail to get what their hopeless economy can't provide.