THE tragic war in Iraq need never happen if only President Bush had read the works of Samuel Johnson. The man of letters had a good understanding of the meaning of patriotism. It was Johnson, the compiler of the famous dictionary of the English language, who said: "Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." 

The invasion of Iraq started by the United States two weeks ago gave Saddam Hussein his last refuge. The dictator who is hated by