1) China
It is no secret that France, Germany, Russia and China oppose any military
action the U.S. suggests. The reasons why they oppose such action probably
varies from country to country. Now, the people here in the U.S. have taken to
mocking hte French as a bunch of gutless cowards -- even tho more people in
the US oppose war total than the entire population of France. However, we
aren't mocking China. China has the largest army the world has ever seen and
21st century technology, some of which they stole from us (wups). We're afraid
of China. And we don't want to provoke them.
2) North Korea
While Iraq has been (admittedly slowly) disclosing and destroying weapons,
North Korea has openly admitted making nuclear weapons and a delivery system
that could wipe out the West coast of the U.S. The louder Iraq seems to plead
for mercy, the louder the North Korea screams for blood. While Iraq _may_ have
wmd, North Korea _does_. And we're not that stupid.
3) Election Year
It's not a huge secret that American politicians run for office about half of
their time _in_ office. This rapid turnover does many things to our
government, one of which is slowing it down. In a TV-oriented world like this
one, Bush cannot run for election and run a war at the same time. The economy
here isn't in great shape and there are enough intelligent voters here who
take "little" things like world relations seriously. Bush has to focus on his
own damn country or he will lose re-election like his father did under almost
identical conditions.
4) The Press
The press in this country (as with many others) are so ratings-rabid that they
dig for a story anywhere. If someone does something, odds are the press will
televise it. If Bush were to, say, send a message to the U.N. nations
requesting Iraq's oil reserves should we attack, we will find out about it,
and be appropriately upset.
5) The Man is an Idiot
Nuff said.

Shinarae Lluminus