Why we invaded Iraq & other political hot potatoes

Found great analysis of political issues, in particular the war against Iraq, at USS Clueless [via JoeUser] Here is an example:

And though we are in the habit of watching our government closely, and trying to understand what it does, so as to try to advise it, in times of crisis our leaders must keep secrets from our enemies, and that means they must keep secrets from us, too. For us as citizens, then, it becomes necessary to pick leaders and then trust them to lead, and accept that they will do things which they cannot explain. We must trust them, and understand that they cannot trust us. All we can do is to hope we've picked well. History will tell those of us who survive whether we did.

I myself have always believed an elected official should be a statesman and do what he think best as opposed to a representative and follow his constituents demands.

Update Aug 4, 2003: The War over the War