I know history is doomed to repeat, but quite this quickly?

[ShadeHonestus]

1983? Lockerbie took place more recently than that, yet we've made up with the Libyans (even the families of the dead). You really are trolling for excuses if you look to an event more than 20 years ago to justify current policy. It's the kind of activity the old European monarchs used to indulge in to justify their interminable wars, and the kind of thing early US presidents were rightly wary of.

You are saying that Hezbollah has not acted in any way against the U.S. or encouraged, funded, or allied with any that have since then. Wow that is off the mark by more than a light year. How old are the grievances between Arab nations and Israel? BTW the UK signed the same mandate which called for an independant and free Jewish state in Palestine. However nobody who signed the same mandate has been as tough on Israel as the U.S.. Some have been indifferent, but thats neglectful of the issues.

I talked of the bizarre symbiosis many Americans have with Israel. You may have difficulty understanding the difference between the two, but difference there is, though you may wish to ignore it in favour of accusing people of standard political ciphers.

If thats all you asked for than this would be asked and answered.

But many ordnary Americans, not just politicains, identify with Israel to the extent that Israeli interests automatically become American interests. Over here, we despise Tony Blair because we feel he has put the US ahead of British interests in many areas. As a British citizen, Britain comes first for me, followed perhaps by the EU as I am also an EU citizen. Other countries may come into the picture as it befits us, but certainly not to the extent that I should identify with them.

Its those ordinary Americans who put those politicians in power, hence the power base and the issue.

You didn't have much of a choice in opposing secular fascism, as Germany declared war on you, not vice versa. As opposed to Britain and France, who declared war on Germany.

We were in a de facto state of war with Germany long before, we chose to go that path when we could have taken the advice of Washington. In fact, according to that arguement, we should have taken his advice in WWI at least there probably wouldn't have been a WW2.

Look up the history of Noraid.

I will. Any particular writings you suggest?

We do know that your President has called Osama an irrelevance. I've not seen much since that has indicated the administration has changed its mind on this.

This has been largely a political move and he has been called on it in the media repeatedly. There is another side to it, I believe, in hoping to embolden UBL and his high command.

How much money does the Saudi ruling class contribute to the US ruling class? IIRC the Bin Laden family figures pretty highly.

Is there a list of U.S. Royal families with numbers available? Or is this money funneled through Saudi purchases of Heinz catsup? Which Bin Laden family? From what I've read UBL, isn't the most popular guy among Bin Ladens. Wasn't his niece or cousin going to pose for Penthouse? That apple fell from the tree and ran down the hill into the river and washed out to sea. I'm not denying that there are ties, but lets not overstate them.