This response from brother Dave:
Another point that should, I think, be stressed is that there is dancing in the streets and on the other hand, now much dancing is there, exactly. As a recent article in the Guardian observed, what with tight camera angles and very isolated perspectives, it is very difficult to know how large and wide spread is the jubilation. We know, of course, of other, also isolated, reports of very different responses. Part of the point is, I suspect, the subtle dehumanization of the enemy, required for any way effort, also homogenizes. Therefore, we become conditioned to assume a uniformity of reaction that would be unthinkable in a "real" country.

For me, you took the argument to the brink, but did not take the final leap. It is not about WMD. It is not about oil, it is not about regime change. Well, it is partly about oil. It is mostly about the last great contest of good and evil (much like Mr. Wilson's war I guess). The motives and motivations of the New American Century Project are blatant. They also constitute US foreign policy.

It is important that you raise the issue of civil liberties. The ACLU has posted a very comprehensive analysis of the Patriot II Act. I have a synopsis handy if you or others would like to read it. Not for the faint of heart. And then there is the matter of Dr. John. "johnny's in the basement, mixin' up the medicine, I'm on the pavement, thinkin' 'bout the gov'ment". Adm. John Poindexter's little ole T.I.A. (Total Information Awareness) program is (literally, it is reported) cookin' away in a DC basement. Kinda reminds one of Peter Seller's noting "Mr. President, it would be quite easy, a massive computer with gigantic database...".