A new book coming out will describe how conservatives contribute more than liberals to charity and charitable causes. This, in spite of the fact that liberals make more money on average than conservatives.

I have heard floated the notion that if a leadership of a given country is democratically elected, then we are obliged to respect that government no matter what its leadership may espouse.

Jeff,
I think your mixing issues. When the Bush administration said it would be quick work to topple the Iraqi regime, this statement was shown to be correct if by that one means the toppling of the Iraqi regime itself. That took no time at all and was indeed a successful mission.