Hi John,

>Here's a few thoughts I have on the issue. Hmm, elections in Afghanastan, elections in Iraq in January, no attacks in the US since 911, a homeland defense initiative (of which I have been an active participant), Sadam in prison, 75% of Al Queda dead or apprehended, Demolition of thousands of tons of armament in Iraq, with more to follow, etc, etc, etc ad nauseum. Yeah I feel safer.

Well I'm glad you feel safer. In europe we had a '311' in madrid exactly one and a half years later, and the threat is going on. In Holland too there have been a few arrest of suspects preparing a hit on various important buildings like our national airport. More or less the same reports from various other european countries. I truly can't say we feel safer.

And I doubt that any american citizen feels safer. Before 911 they felt immune for terrorism on this scale, because it did not happen before in their own country. 911 made an end to this conclusion and all americans realized that the time of safety within their own country had changed radically.

I find it very ignorant of people thinking they can weed out terrorism by just military power: Very, very short sighted. You'll only grow more enemies. You cannot win the fight against terrorism this way, like you cannot win the fight against drugs. With every US military action, you will grow irritation and hate on the other side (Hint: See palestinian conflict). You'll have to be brave and grow sympathy amongst the citizens. Kerry accuses bush for not having a post-military plan for iraq and afghanistan. Sure there are elections, but it is still like sitting on a bomb.

Have you ever asked yourself, what the role of the weapon industry was to take military action upon iraq? or even what was the real motivation? Saddam? Get real. It was already known he was about powerless and did not have any prove connections to Al-quada. If they really were that concerned about its nuclear program, why is there so little progress in this same matter in regards to Iran and North Korea?? They're far bigger threats. Anyone who tends to believe that Bush makes the decisions could not be more far off. Bush is not your first man, but rather a puppet (how could he with the intelligence of a peanut?). Who is? Good question...

>No, we haven't been pushed around by anyone, but that's because we are militarily strong. Should we be unfortunate enough that Kerry were elected, we would have problems. He would try to turn our destiny over to the UN, or even worse - Canada! You missed the point!

The US is a member of NATO and the UN. If you're a member, you have to play the rules, or simply leave. The UN was right all along the way. There is/was no evidence of WMD in iraq. The US ignored because of their flood of testosterone. Now you're left with a record breaking dept and presence in two very unstable countries from which you cannot withdraw, sucking up even more money. So what did it gain? Reduced threat to terrorism ? I doubt.

Walter,