"...and that the Korean war ended just a few decades ago: "

Actually it didn't. The Korean conflict ended in a truce and there has never been a formal peace agreement. Technically, the Koren War continues to this day.

I'd just like to say that John W. does NOT represent me or "my" America, nor the majority of intelligent, inquisitive Americans. He isn't even jetlagged!

Marc F., Washington, DC, USA

joyce from heartlands,u.s.a seems to be affliicted foot in mouth disease just like bush....and she doesnt seem to realise that u.s presidents can only serve twice.

ostevo, hualien, taiwan

Learn to spell "Austria" properly first, not "Autstria", before you criticize someone for not saying it correctly. Bush may not be the orator we would like him to be, but he believes in something-the defense of free civilizations- and acts on it, even if it becomes unpopular. Much unlike is predecessor, Mr Clinton.

JOSE, MIAMI, FL/ USA

Hi John

I have served in Korea off and on for the past twenty one years.

The Korean War did not end. It is in a very uneasy truce. We have lost people here, both ROK and US, since 1953, in numerous incidents, shoot downs, sinkings, and firefights along the DMZ.

The US 2nd Infantry Division patrolled a sector of the DMZ until the end of 1991. These were combat patrols.

It is still the forgotten war, and the DMZ vets are far too often the forgotten veterans.

Stephen, Dongduchon, ROK

I feel really sorry for the Americans, I cringe every time I hear George Jr. speak.

On a more serious matter it's about time the US elected a new president. Hopefully the Americans will elect someone with sanity to recognise the actual threat and try to reinstate bonds with Europe in preparation for the new cold war that is coming, instead of so disproportionately focusing on the terrorism threat and starting conflicts that will bog down their military for decades.

Andrej, Ljubljana, Slovenia

In reply to John W, Salem, OR, USA.........If 49% of American's didn't vote for Bush how did he manage to get in.. not once but twice? I think that voter apathy among affluent mainstream Americans is the reason. The "moral majority " have no trouble getting the vote out. Seemingly many of the 49% Mr W. refers too are too busy shopping or talking on their cell phones. In less than eight years of Republican rule the world has become unrecognizable to me. Please get out and vote. The rest of the world is counting on you.

Vinnie, Nanaimo, Canada

How can the mighty USA let a leader loose who not only made serious errors of judgment taking them and the allies into a war we all know we cant win and then making a fool of himself during his travels? - The British all got to love Blair until we saw through him but it takes the Americans longer because they are probably to proud to admit they are facing a defeat!
Shades of Vietnam - maybe they should have paid the tea taxes and they wouldnt have been in this mess!

Keith Amato, Little Baddow, Chelmsford, England, Essex

To Kay, USA - I agree with you completely, but it was two German generals who were attributed with saying Lions led by Donkeys. Generals Erich Ludendorff and Max Hoffmann in 1916. I think anyway - well at least they weren't Austrian or was it Australian?

Barney, Liverpool, UK,

Don't be offended by Joyce or Julie. They are like a pair of dogs licking their wounds and snarling off help. When they look back over the past four years it must hurt them far more than you realize. They thought that they elected a good man to the Oval Office and I don't doubt that Bush would make a fine neighbor but that doesn't make them good Presidents. What happened with George Bush is a genuine American tragedy. Nothing can be done with this President. Ever since the city of New Orleans 'disappeared' with Katrina the Congress has been pushing the difficult decisions onto the desk of the next President. Now it appears that Iraq too must wait for 2009. He is a prisoner of the White House and escapes from time to time on trips outside the country. Don't you think that Joyce and Julie are both stunned with this meltdown? Can't you feel their disbelief at the country's disapproval? It is so deep that the country will elect a woman as President for the first time in its history.

Daedalus, Cohasset, Mass.,USA

joyce says We will see if the Democrats nominate someone with enough fortitude to defend the interests of this country in 2008

Don't you mean OFFEND the interests?

pre-emptive strike = offensive!

Dr Paul Recher, Dorroughby,