>Hi John,
>>Well, I don't know about you, but I'm thinking and DOING! Laying out logical, facts and data to counter the "feelings" of the left at every opportunity!<vbg>
>
>That's great to hear. So, about this "75% of al Qaeda" captured as our pres has indicated...can you lay out some facts about this for all of us? Like %75 of what amount, what's the previous & current count of members, etc.? Anything other than just "75%". Cuz, ya know...a president needs to get all the facts before jumping to politically motivating conclusions. Do you agree?
>
>Thanks,
>Steven-

Steven;

I thought the facts have been created to suit the moment? Talk about Kerry changing his position! Why did we attack Iraq? There are at least ten reasons the administration and president have given. They obviously hope to find the right audiences with a long list of reasons. Surely someone will believe any one or perhaps even more than one reason.

It seems that the facts presented and accepted by the president have been flawed. Even so he stands behind all the intelligence agencies and data collected and given to him. When the intelligence agencies stated there was no immediate threat to the United States from Iraq, that information was discarded.

It was obvious what the president intended to due when he addressed the United Nations in September of 2002. Having the backing of other nations could be important although not necessary when you are the world’s only super power. Perhaps addressing the UN was meant to be a wake up call to Saddam Hussein. Then the president asked for and received approval from the congress on October 11, 2002, to attack Iraq. It is like a strike vote taken by a labor union before contract negations with a company. The union wants to show the solidarity of its members and resolve to strike if necessary.

By playing on the emotions of the congress and many citizens of our country due to the 911 incident, the president received an endorsement for the authorized use of force against Iraq. He could use it at any time.

To fight a war is a logistics nightmare. You have to have men, women (times have changed and not for the better I think) food, weapons, munitions and battle plans. That is the short list of necessary items. It takes time to get everything in place.

During the Gulf war I saw from Vandenberg Air Force Base how each stage built up from August of 1990 until the first shots were fired in January 1991. It took about five months to get everything in order. The war with Iraq also took about five months to prepare for. I correctly guessed the timetable of the attack on Iraq based upon the Gulf War experience.

From several news sources I have heard that al Qaeda is growing and is not the only terrorist group to be concerned with! Muslims born and raised in Europe have been killed or captured in Iraq, fighting our troops. Muslims from many countries are fighting us in Iraq. This gives new meaning to the term, "Ugly American"!

The reality seems to be that we have opened Pandora’s box by attacking Iraq. Time will tell how true that is and we have plenty of time to find out.

Other than that, Happy Friday!!!

Tom