Also of interest is the strength of some opinions. I agree with ‘silly me’ (6/24/04) about the bullying tone of some (on both sides). Interestingly enough, it seems the stronger the opinion, the more misspellings.

As far as ‘republic we stand, liberal we fall’ (7/2/04), I thought about what would have happened to us had Gore been elected instead of W. I still believe 9/11 would have happened, unlike some other posts. I don’t think we would have lost over 1000 Americans and at least 10 times more in locals and coalition soldiers. I believe American interests would have been targets maybe two or three times (ala USS Cole and various embassies/barracks). In other words, no major change of tactics. As such, I think with Gore we would have been much better off today. But what would have happened by 2015? I firmly believe New York City would have suffered a nuclear blast. The modus operandi of al Qaeda was, up to September of 2002 (Afghanistan), to plan out operations over a number of years prior to launching it. I think Al Qaeda is supporting SOME of the terrorists currently in Iraq, because of the targets of opportunity.

Will the world be better off for the terrible loss in Iraq and Afghanistan? We should know more in the latter after tomorrow, based on how the elections turn out. The same holds for Iraq, by next February when we see how THEIR elections turn out.

I hear a lot about how we are in Iraq mostly for the oil. How much oil have we gotten from Afghanistan? As I mentioned earlier, I have no personal experience in these foreign lands, so I have to treat EVERYTHING with skepticism. Do the Iraqis want USA doing what we are now? I know from the news that terrorists are blowing up cars and IEDs, killing many who want to join the Police or army. Yet these local heroes keep showing up, even though they know they will be a target again. This tells me they want us to help them get their freedom (and leave as soon as they ask us).

Mr. Callender stated on 9/18/04 that Bush would not change the course in Iraq – very true. It is up to the Iraqis to do that, by voting early next year.

Many Americans disagree with the current course we are taking, claiming the Bush lied to us all. After 9/11/01, he told us we needed to start a war on terror, and that it would take many years to finish it. He said he would target those responsible for 911, but also all terrorists, terrorist organizations, and the nations that sponsored or harbored them. Looks to me like that is exactly what we are doing.

ccs 10/08/04