I just sent an example of Mark Twain's words used for the current debate on
the war, and I've followed the debate on this list.  So, here are a few
observations:

Mark Twain is notoriously contradictory, so it's possible to find quotes
that support various arguments.  It also depends from which period in his
development you quote him (pro-annexation of Sandwich Islands or against,
for example).  Certainly, the writings from his late period grow
increasingly critical of power, imperial presumptions, the cruel
absurdities of war, and dogmas of various kinds.  So here's an attempt to
pluck at least a few of Twain's strings.

He would have detested Saddam Hussein as a tyrant.
He would have admired George W. Bush (as someone on the list reports Hal
Holbrook to have suggested) for his forthright, boyish stand against
tyranny.
He would have supported the war, as long as he thought the US was coming to
the aid of an oppressed people (as he did with the Spanish-American war).
He would have denounced the war as soon as he perceived that the war was
conducted for imperial domination (as he did with the Philippines-American
war).
He would have detested George W. Bush as an overgrown kid gone power mad
(as he detested Teddy R.).
He would have chatted with George W. Bush over breakfast at the White House.
He would have skewered Halliburton, Bechtel and all the other corporations
he would have considered profiteers.
He would have done commercials on TV for Halliburton.
He would have denounced the loud calls for patriotism.
He would have shed tears at the sight of the American flag.
He would have been sick at the easy way Americans have come to accept war.
He would have trumpeted the rampant hypocrisy of a Congress that votes for
a resolution to support the troops on the same day that it votes to cut
funds to the Veterans Administration.
He would have denounced Bush's tax cuts as a sham gift to the rich.
He would have taken as much of the tax cut as he could.
He would have joined with Michael Moore and other satirists, preferring to
be called a traitor rather than "merely" a humorist.

I think the list goes on.  I do think he would end up critical of all
presumptions that America was an empire, and he would be highly critical of
the current adventure, even while considering Saddam Hussein
despicable.  But there's enough of Twain to go around to fuel many other
opinions.

Take care -- and take cover.

Hilton Obenzinger