[bobnat]

I'm not busting your chops here. It's a very interesting dilemma that is acutely applicable right now throughout the world.

Take the US for example. The President was elected by half of the voters who represent only a fraction of the population. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are very popular with some and unpopular with others. It's hard to get an accurate figure, but for sake of argument, let's say that half are for and half against.

Now if you're an Iraqi, do you really make the distinction that only half of Americans support the war? Does it really matter to you? I think not. Do the Georgians make the distinction? Apparently in Beslan they didn't.

We create a false dichotomy with this line of arguing. The fact is that the Russian government is the representative of the Russian people, and the same is equally true of all governments. It doesn't matter if you live in a democracy or a dictatorship, the existing government can only come into existence, and continue its existence, through the actions, and usually the inactions, of its populace.

Someone once said, "The people get the government they deserve." It's true. We may not like it. We may not agree with our governments. In fact there has never been a government that had total unconditional support from 100% of the governed. There will always be dissenters. If I disagree with Bush and his cabinet, does that make me any less of an American and any less responsible for my country's actions.

This is not a trite question for me because I live in the Gulf and I have a tendency to travel to some questionably unsafe countries. If I were abducted by someone bent on revenge against the US does it really matter to them that I voted against Bush two times? I don't think so. They'll still behead me if they're so inclined to do so.

I don't have any definitive answers to this. It is something that I have thought about a lot given my situation. I've come to the conclusion, just for myself, mind you, that if I were killed in an attack against American/Western citizens, then it's just tough luck. My personal political opinions - and that's all they are - mean nothing. Because ultimately I am an American. I've supported my country my whole life in a myriad of ways, from paying taxes, serving in the military, partaking in the system that elects people such as Bush thereby legitimizing the system, and by loving my country.

Just random thoughts.

Nat