Mr. Vail - Thanks for that reply. I certainly will take a look at your book. And I'm sorry if I got the bias / agenda wrong. I'll check it out. I will also give you a warm welcome because its especially valuable to be able to discuss these issues with the broadest possible grouping of opinion. I did check out some of your writing and found it very thoughtful. I just want to make the point that the human suffering in Iraq is something not often brought up on this site, and I think its important to remember that dimension, and come to some understanding of all of our complicity and the connection to our level of consumption. I'll look forward to your articles and the chance to respond.

Hi Devon. I want to thank you for your comments and the discussion that followed. It's been beneficial on more than one level. I think we can all agree that the Iraq war has been and is complex and a disaster that has touched the lives of millions and destroyed the lives of too many.