Lot’s of good posts and unfortunately loose ends that I am not be able to tie up.

I think Mr. Iranian agitator might be
Saber rattling:

1)A flamboyant display of military power.
2) A threat or implied threat to use military power(or instigate “terrrorism” and instability ect.)

I know Allan you disagree. I don’t disagree with your other comments about Iran at all. Just this idea that everybody is crazy seems overused. remember the guy is inthe former “axis of evil” he might be inspired by his position to behave a little oddly for our tastes.

I don’t find much point in debating whether the US is a GOOD or bad superpower or whether those that might have had our super power place would have been better or worse. I have no need for a decision on that one. Many previous methods of carrying on as such seem very crude compared to the current possibilities Nazism especially. Don’t know how to create a tally? For instance do we include the damage that the dictators we have empowered aided and abbetted. Do we take part of the responsibilty for the “madmen” we have backed into a corner and pestered with propaganda, covert, operations sanctions ect? Do we start with slavery or after the first black man is elected?
Should we wait and see how we behave as an inevitable falling star 30, 100, 300 years from now? Will world government be successful enough for us not to have to face the degradation to our shinning image a fall might bring about?