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Everyone was behind the US 100% for doing something about 9/11. They backed the notion of taking action against state sponsors of terrorism, and generally backed Afghanistan. But, they see Iraq as a non-sequiter in the crusade, a puppet project based almost completely on non-terrorist concerns for which the tragedy is being used as an EXCUSE. And, this may very well be justifiable.
Until we knew that Saddam had even lied about lying, the Iraq WoMD threat was real. Otherwise, UN inspectors wouldn't have been such an issue. We forget this often. And, it makes the Iraq situation look like it's not very connected to 9/11.
However, the asserted Iraq-Al Queda link as a justification brings shame on 9/11. Because it is so attenuated, this assertion insults those victims, their families, and our intelligence. If the tragedy of "9/11" is shouted everytime the US wants to assert its manliness with a war, it becomes trivial. It's like the boy who cried "wolf."
If you are going to go remove a dictator because he's tyrannical and abusive of his people, say so. If you think he might have WMD, well then that's fine too. But if you assert he's on the hook for flying planes into the WTC, you better damn well back up the connection with a-b-c details an idiot can follow or risk trivializing 9/11 altogether.
As for who loves us, the US current stance seems to be that of a Lannister:
It is better to have the people love you than fear you.
But, if they will not love you, it is better to have them fear you than laugh at you.
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