The Vice President of the United State, Dick Cheney was in Italy recently on a state visit. Asked about the US failure to find unconventional weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Cheney told Italian political and business leaders that "Today, the former dictator of Iraq sits in captivity; he can no longer harbour and support terrorist, and his long efforts to acquire weapon of mass destruction are at an end."

Addressing the Italian Senate, Cheney said nothing about the earlier America's claims that Iraq possessed threatening chemical and biological weapons-the crux of the US case for the war on Iraq. Even the US chief weapons investigator in Iraq, David Kay, has said that he doubted Baghdad possessed unconventional weapons, and that he believed, "the intelligence community owes President George Bush an explanation."

However, for now, the Iraqi State has been subjected to the rule of American soldiers with much of its paraphernalia of statehood in limbo. A situation where a territory is subjected to crisis by a foreign state, is a complete denial of statehood to such a territory. In that light, Iraq is no longer a state.

Eight months after America's conquest of Iraq, the US should now be working towards acting the process of political resolution of the situation in the country and the authority of the U.S. While the US withdraws its troops to end the occupation, the UN should take control of the reconstruction and restoration of stability in Iraq. Iraqis should be allowed to adopt a new constitution approved by a national referendum, and should now hold elections with international observers present to democratically elect their own leaders. Iraq would continue to boil so long as American troops remain there. Dangers of an implosion are real.

What do you think?

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say of do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home, friendship.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. What about you? What is your attitude?

Have learned so many things. Have you?
I've learned that the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to pick you back up.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only takes seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned that you can do some thing in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that it's not what you had in your life that is matter because money and material things just come and go, but who you have helped in times of needs in your life time that counts because they will always remember what you’ve done for them.
I've learned that there is always a light after the tunnel; you can keep going long after you can't.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the going doesn't stop there.
I've learned that the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to pick you back up.

What have you learned?

Money and material things, all just come and go.
Mansions, yachts and flashy cars
Are only there for show.
The things in life that really count,
Not riches, fame or wealth,
Are a happy disposition, good humour and good health.

Smiling eyes, smiling lips, a cheerful view of life,
Keeping a steady outlook through
Good fortune and through strife.
The sound of laughing grandkids
Along with hugs and kisses,
Words like “I love you granddad”,
This is what life’s bliss is.

To do your best through thick and thin,
To buck life’s evil trends.
To sit and count not pounds and pence,
But loads and loads of friends.

We give and receive gifts each and every day. Gifts do not have to be monetary in value, the thoughts below brings out this point.

1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But, you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listen.

2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job", or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard, to say, "Hello" or "Thank You".

How many gifts can you give this week?