Tribune editorial staff

I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it."

The quote is from the fictional character

Col. Nathan R. Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson in the film "A Few Good Men."

We couldn't help but think of the quotation as we pondered the irony of international events on the horizon.

On Monday, President Bush plans to appeal to NATO leaders for help in stabilizing Iraq.

Fresh off the heels of getting European Union support, the likelihood that Bush will get NATO support looks good. Nineteen of the NATO's 26 members are also in the EU.

While we hope they offer full support, we cannot help but be a little frustrated that NATO hasn't been in support of the coalition efforts in Iraq since day one.

Key NATO members France and Germany were opposed to the initial U.S. invasion into Iraq and have been ardent critics since the first shot was fired.

Some Americans responded by proudly renaming the popular American food French fries as freedom fries. Leave it to Americans to laugh in the face of international betrayal.

How quickly both countries forget World War II and the U.S. involvement in it.

Never mind that all of the NATO and EU countries stand to reap great benefit from rebuilding the country and the eventual influx of more Iraqi oil to the market.

The issue of America's involvement in Iraq has become great fodder for political enemies of President George W. Bush. Comedians, filmmakers, political adversaries and opposing world leaders have used the issue to try and divide the country.

Lots of folks have questioned U.S. involvement.

"Why did we go there in the first place?" they ask.

When we think of the question, we refer back to the fictional comments of Col. Jessup. Someone has to create the blanket of international freedom, no matter how difficult it is to do so alone.