Retribution should have and is (kinda) being handed out in Afghanistan for 9-11. Remember it was the Taliban that was harboring Alquita. If we would have put 150,000 troops on the ground in Afghanistan maybe we would have found Osama bin Laden the master mind behind 9-11! Instead we Saddam Hussein the mustard mind behind nothing and who didn't have anything to do with 9-11. Correct me if I'm wrong, It's my opinion that we picked the right fight........in the wrong place! NYH!
Don't kid yourself about finding Osma......we couldn't even find Eric Rudolph hiding in the smokeys for five years and thats in our own country. The task of finding Osama in the mountains around Afghanistan surrounded by his friends is no small task. Finding Eric Rudolph was an accident and no great piece of police work....I suspect Osama, if he is ever found, will be found by some private going to take a leak.
I'm really pleased the way things are going in Afghanistan and wish we were in a similar situation in Iraq. I think if we had piled 150,000 men in Afghanistan the Afgans would have seen it as an Occupation and might not have been very happy about it.......150,000 targets. How would you feel if General Lee piled 150,000 troops in New York and declared martial law and then told you you would adopt his brand of government? Think you might take an occasional shot when nobody's looking? Oh sorry, bad example....that already happened didn't it?
While we need to look after our own interest in Iraq we also need to let them take control. I suggest we put the fellow in charge of Afganistan in charge of Iraq and with a little luck and a lot of hard work maybe Iraq will go the way of Afganistan and not the way of Vietnam.
Only if, and only when, the Iraqie people take control of there own destiny will there be any chance of sucess. This might be a democracy, but it might not, just like our forefathers, they will need to pick the type of government that works for them and while a republican form of democracy works for us, there different religous and cultural beliefs are likely to lead to a different form of government.......Just as I'm unlikely to force my will on you, the US is unlikely to force it's will on them......
Hearts and minds right?
Enter Iran.......Mr. Bush is now setting the stage for "intervention" in Iran should they continue to pursue atomic energy. I think we"re going to need a bigger army! I'm still waiting on the Bush daughters to step up to the plate, raise there right hand, join the Army, and volunteer for service in Iraq. Seems the burden to bear and the price to be paid always seem to fall on the middle and lower classes........I say auntie up! If you want to stay in the game then show me some kids of wealth and privilige. That's not to say that a few children of the powerful aren't there. Men like Mr. Tillman will be found on ocassion.
I guess what I'm trying to point out is that Mr. Bush and his Republicans and Mr. Kerry and his Democrats are really not concerned with Mr. New York hunter or Mr. Victor Charlie and are so far out of touch with the every day people that they refuse to deal with the concerns of us the middle class. Most all legitimate americans want the immigration laws inforced. We don't want to be "globalized". Do they hear our concerns? Sure they do.....but our concerns are not the same as Mr. special interest Corporate America, and thus are quickly discarded.
Yea....its a small war......till you lose your brother or sister.......then it seems a lot bigger. If this war is truly over liberty, and we are going to continue the fight for liberty, then there are many places around the globe we are going to have to be.
The signature I've selected might give a hint where I stand on all this......but lets make sure it's liberty we're after, not the interest of those whose money is spread across the globe, and who's only desire is for more money and more power.