No one owes France an apology, but one has to acknowledge that France gave up a lot to defy the U.S. For instance, Limoge, which sells lots of its porcelain to the U.S., lost 90% of its sales after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. France didn’t get any Halliburton-type contracts in Iraq. France lost its embassy and residence in Iraq to looters. There were many other economic consequences and I suspect that France knew what they were and it still defied the U.N. Resolution. I am loathe to say “I told you so”, but Americans are going to be paying for Iraq until their grandchildren are born.

My earlier comment was intended to point out that we don’t owe France an apology for the reason you mentioned (an apology should be for a specific “wrong” done to them, not because of a “right” they did for us). And, I don’t know of a wrong done to them, other than making a foreign policy decision they didn’t agree with.

Yes, if I was forced to take a label, it would be Libertarian. I’m a long-time fan of Ron Paul and would be nothing short of thrilled to have him running the country. Of course, that’s only a pleasant dream. I also like Hagel and think he (and not McCain) is the true independent thinker among the well-known Republican candidates. For the 2008 election, I think a candidate’s foreign policy views will trump everything else and therefore believe we’ll be spared the rule of Mrs. Clinton.

Wolfowitz was in Bush’s ear post 9-11 saying Saddam and Iraq were connected to 9-11

Powell made the case for war at the UN (later resigned because he was duped into it)

Last year, President Bush acknowledged that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11

But Dick Cheney continues to this day to claim that we are fighting al-queda in Iraq , which is actually a partial truth.

Al-Queda was not organized in Iraq until after the US invaded and occupied that country. We brought them there. SO it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy to a degree.

So Rip, Butch says you are Libertarian, is that correct?
I am more in agreement with the Libertarians than any other party, so I find myself leaning towards Ron Paul. I wish He and Chuck Hagel could form some alliance, as Chuck Hagel has a bigger name, and favors “balanced” policies in the Middle East, meaning he won’t be a slave to the Israeli lobby, which he has demonstrated in the past. I think that would be a good ticket ! I’m dreaming of course, and I realize I might have to move if Clinton wins …

Of course France passed along intelligence, as we do to them on a daily basis. They’re still our ally, despite the rhetoric on both sides.