[eloff]

Dick Cheney and Tony Blair don't seem to belong in that same list. Not saying they are good guys, but I don't see how they can be even close to on the same level as the others.

But I agree with your main point. There is real evil out there and we have a moral prerogative to stop/fight/kill those people.

The USA is hardly spotless, but they have a good reputation of standing up to real evil in the world.