The USA must examine carefully what it terms it's allies and not confuse the term with "friends".
Countries such as Canada and Mexico are the closest friends that the USA has but stand apart from you in this conflict. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Remember Viet Nam..........
If Kerry is an asshole, and that may be so, remember that an asshole is necessary to control the flow of shit. At this time there is little flow control from the White House!