The NeoCon think-tank (an oxymoronic phrase if ever there were one) Project For The New American Century is at the center of this morass...ethically, morally and physically; they TOLD us as much in their so-called "Statement of Principle" in January, 1997. The signers of this manifesto are, for the most part, the SAME players involved in the current imbroglio in Iraq and world-wide. See for yourself at www.newamericancentury.org.

Here is a verbatim copy of their "Statement of Principle"...with the signatories to it right under. See for yourself that they told us what they wanted to do and who they were; all they had to do to put this farce in place was to elect an amiable dolt as President...who would be maleable and either too stupid to know what they were doing or was so out of touch he wouldn't know it if it bit him on his gluteus maximus!

The evidence:

Statement of Principle: June 3, 1997

American foreign and defense policy is adrift. Conservatives have criticized the incoherent policies of the Clinton Administration. They have also resisted isolationist impulses from within their own ranks. But conservatives have not confidently advanced a strategic vision of America's role in the world. They have not set forth guiding principles for American foreign policy. They have allowed differences over tactics to obscure potential agreement on strategic objectives. And they have not fought for a defense budget that would maintain American security and advance American interests in the new century.

We aim to change this. We aim to make the case and rally support for American global leadership.

As the 20th century draws to a close, the United States stands as the world's preeminent power. Having led the West to victory in the Cold War, America faces an opportunity and a challenge: Does the United States have the vision to build upon the achievements of past decades? Does the United States have the resolve to shape a new century favorable to American principles and interests?

We are in danger of squandering the opportunity and failing the challenge. We are living off the capital -- both the military investments and the foreign policy achievements -- built up by past administrations. Cuts in foreign affairs and defense spending, inattention to the tools of statecraft, and inconstant leadership are making it increasingly difficult to sustain American influence around the world. And the promise of short-term commercial benefits threatens to override strategic considerations. As a consequence, we are jeopardizing the nation's ability to meet present threats and to deal with potentially greater challenges that lie ahead.

We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the Reagan Administration's success: a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership that accepts the United States' global responsibilities.

Of course, the United States must be prudent in how it exercises its power. But we cannot safely avoid the responsibilities of global leadership or the costs that are associated with its exercise. America has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our fundamental interests. The history of the 20th century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership.

Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences:

• we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global

responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces for the future;

• we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values;

• we need to promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad;

• we need to accept responsibility for America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity, and our principles.

Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure our security and our greatness in the next.

Elliott Abrams Gary Bauer William J. Bennett Jeb Bush

Dick Cheney Eliot A. Cohen Midge Decter Paula Dobriansky Steve Forbes

Aaron Friedberg Francis Fukuyama Frank Gaffney Fred C. Ikle

Donald Kagan Zalmay Khalilzad I. Lewis Libby Norman Podhoretz

Dan Quayle Peter W. Rodman Stephen P. Rosen Henry S. Rowen

Donald Rumsfeld Vin Weber George Weigel Paul Wolfowitz

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Ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case.

So? 15-year-old Latinas get an over-the-top celebration of their "coming-of-age" passage through life? So do many Latino boys with a "quinceanero" party. This is news? I've bought many gifts for good friend's Latino/Latina kids turning 16.

Jewish kids get a Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah that is...aside from the religious aspects...usually a huge blow-out of incredible proportions. Been to a bunch of those; bought nice gifts for those Jewish 13-year-olds, too.

Someone else above mentioned "Sweet Sixteen" parties for the Caucasian masses of girls...and, some boys. Again, been there; done that with gifts for those preppy puppies, as well.

The BEST gift that a good parent can give is not a sense of entitlement to his/her child, it IS a sense of responsibility. The best PARENTS inculcate their children with values of service to humanity, to the earth and to their posterity.

THOSE gifts are priceless...yet are the most valuable of all.

Hey, why not Mr. Cheney for Prez? In 2008, we'll have had eight years of a nasty Bush; why not eight more years of a limp Dick?