I never lied, lies Howard, and those who say I lied are liars

This is how Australian PM John Howard defends himself: by avoiding and twisting the questions, by questioning the credentials of those who question him and by invoking contrived political investigations to justify his failed policies.

Howard has been playing politics for so long now that this sort of willful deception seems effortless. Does he even remember that he is lying any more? Does he care that our country's reputation is being destroyed, that our esteemed institutions of government and law are being harmed, imperilling the very democracy he claims to be protecting?

"I will never accept that we set out to mislead the Australian public," says Howard.

Even though intelligence material was sifted just as assiduously in Canberra as it was in Washington and London, for the same pre-determined political reasons? Even though people like Andrew Wilkie rang the alarms by resigning in protest at what was being done? Even though millions marched in the streets opposing the war? Even though Bush had decided - before 9/11 - to invade Iraq and you yourself had decided - before all the evidence was in - to support him?

Will you accept then - at the very least - that you chose to accept faulty intelligence from people who did set out to mislead the US and British public, and that you did so in defiance of the majority wishes of Australians? And will you take responsibility for this profoundly serious error of judgement, for which thousands have died? Will you acknowledge that your mistake has strengthened the terrorists' ideological and support base, and made the world a more dangerous place for all of us? And will you apologize to us and admit you were wrong?

"The Government's critics must understand that, as a result of the terrorist attacks and the threats that we face in our own region, as terribly evidenced by Bali..."

But you are being asked about Iraq, Mr Howard, not Bali. And Bali would almost certainly not have happened if your government had not slavishly supported Bush's illegal invasion of Iraq.

"...we are living in a new world."

A world were governments can lie with impunity, where innocent people can be detained for years without charge, where anyone suspected of terrorism can be tortured for information they may or may not have? A world where our government is so wrapped up in its own lies that it will do nothing to help such individuals? 9/11 was not a free pass to uncontrolled government Fascism, Mr Howard, whatever the US neo-cons may believe.

In an effort to deflect further criticism, Howard "cited the findings of a parliamentary inquiry and the Flood report into intelligence."

Right, two completely stage-managed enquiries with narrow fields of enquiry. Some justification.

Alexander Downer stepped in to help, pointing out that "almost all Iraqis were delighted Saddam Hussein had been overthrown."

So what? If Stalin defeated Hitler, does that make Stalin a good man? It's the same childish logic being peddled now in the election campaigns - think what you like about Bush and Howard, but just look how evil/untrustworthy/inexperienced/two-faced/etc Mark Latham and John Kerry are...

To quote Lucy from the Peanuts comic strip:

"I CAN'T STAND IT!!!"