Lurker, your point on moralist ethics is well taken concerning many regions, espeially where linked-cultures evolve in similar environments. I cannot imagine disagreement that a virtue/viscioua Ethos could be unhealthy for the world where virtue might demand attempts to visciously damage the greater-devil through available tools in a nuclear environment.

Global realities beg a rule-of-law. The O.N.U was a weak attempt, dis-empowered through compromise. Law was first and foremost an attempt to assure early infrastructure for trade and commerce, and, to insure accrued wealth for those in power. Even great religious works are "how to" guides for dealing with social questions, whether the-law-of-the-well applies or as rules for vengeance. Beowulf was ruled a murderer because he hid the body, not because he killed the person allowing the probability of vengeance. So maybe it's time not to hide the bodies but declare a rule-of-law. Not to be used as a petty sanction for economic colonialism and I don't think Bush even comes close to be trusted with such a call.

And I think French Officers are belligerent elitists from a socialist carnival. (just to keep the thread on track)