Telemachus,

I think you hit a point that makes me especially sad. The people who are hurt in these wars are the innocent who just want to live their lives.

The leaders (so-called) only benefit. If you think about it, Bush, the israeli leaders, the leaders in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Amadinijad and even Osama bin Laden all benefit from these wars. They are above the frey. They only get richer and more powerful. That is why they don't mind hostilities or skirmishes or terrorist attacks or, as in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan, constant, chronic, low level violence.

It keeps people scared and cowed and makes them easily
controlled.

The truth is that I have more in common with the average working or professional person in the Middle East than I have with the President and his associates.