[sylent]

Sadly too many people base their opinions of world leaders on what the media show us... you will be hard pressed to find a non-emotive, non-biased report in your local newspaper. I saw one thing the other day which just made me laugh out loud. It was a report the morning after Bush's big speech, and had a big front page article... Bush wearing glasses and weilding a pen (clearly and intelectual), and a comparitive photo of Saddam Hussain pointing a gun wildly in the air. Both pictures had nothing to do with the events, and probably weren't even recently taken, but people who see that will think that was is the answer.

Sorry if thats a bit too largely based around the war issue.

You've got a good point Hierophant, that we have to put our faith in someone who wants power, and will do what he thinks meets public expectation simply to keep his position. I find it frightening that one person can have that sort of power over the direction of the world.

I'm also going to add that I don't know any of the people I have just spoke about, and my perceptions are unfortunately also based on the media, and what I see on TV, and read in the newspapers. (this aint a poor saddam post)