Yikes Doug!I disagree with just about all of your assumptions yet agree that we have to leave Iraq ASAP. That's pretty interesting.

What is this crap about equating leaving Iraq to "cutting and running."If people would just sit down and learn what Islam is all about, and that at its very core it is an ideology of war designed only for conquest, they'd quickly come to two very important conclusions:1) The greatest weapon the jihadists have is the Muslim immigration to the West. Why? Because eventually, in EVERY group of Muslims in the history of Islam, the jihadists take over....'cause Islam and the example of Muhammed support the terrorists, not the ever-elusive "moderate" Muslims.2) Leaving Iraq would be one of the greatest moves we could make, as it would greatly weaken Islam. Remember, Muhammed declared war on the whole freakin' world almost 1400 years ago, and named his battle plan Islam, and its soldiers (both volunteer and conscripted) are Muslims, yes, even the peaceful ones do their part (like helping to divide the enemy, and making babies....the demographic jihad). If we left Iraq, the country would fall deeper into civil war, and every Middle Eastern Muslim country would start using its resources and manpower to win the battle for Iraq.....instead of using their resources and manpower to hurt us and keep our politicians fat and happy while they let more Muslims into the West.The Sunnis and Shia would cut each other up by the millions. Saudi Arabia would have to spend more of its money trying to win and secure Iraq, rather than building mosques here in the US and sending Saudi "students" to our universities. Iran would end up using enormous amounts of money and manpower trying to secure Iraq for the Shia, taking up their money, manpower, time, and attention. Even the jihadists in Europe and America would leave to fight and die in the Muslim vs. Muslim struggle to control Iraq, in the heart of the Middle East.All of this would be GOOD for the West, and for the whole world in general. Then we could begin the process of shoring up our defenses, to start the process of truly winning this war, the first step of which is STOPPING ALL MUSLIM IMMIGRATION TO THE WEST and ISOLATING THE ISLAMIC WORLD.That's why I'm tempted to vote for ANY candidate, Dem or Republican, who's #1 priority is to get us the hell out of Iraq.So......I guess that makes me somebody who just wants to "cut and run".

Vasily, (and anyone else too!)I'd also be interested in your thoughts about the document we recently posted by Sam Smith. It's in the "documents" section.Cheers!

Dear Vasily, Thanks for your posting. I agree with you that a change of party will not as you well put it "miraculously dissolve" all the problems of the world. But surely you too must recognize that the current crowd is not dissolving all the problems either.Did you catch wind of the conclusions of the NIE which stated flatly (unanimously by all US intelligence agencies) that the war in Iraq was definitely making things worse for the U.S.A. and breeding a lot more enemies?Also, i do not think that the enemies of the Republic are anxious for a change in the U.S.A.; they know that the more extreme the positions of the U.S.A., the better their recruiting.I don't think fighting fire with fire works. It is disastrous for all. The only people that benefit are the extremists. Surely you recognize that the party in control of the White House and the Congress are such extremists?

Dear Dhims, suppose you win, sweep breathlessly away all opponents before you. Pilosi elevated to Cardinal, Murtha to Reichsminister der Gassbags, Charlie Rangel to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Harry Reid to His Highness of Pompousness et. al. Will the problems of the world miraculously dissolve? John Kerry will be loved by the Salafists and Wahabis, they will grovel and prostrate themselves before his wisdom, kiss his ring and vow eternal hostility to the forces of tyranny? His Jabba the Hutness, Teddy the Self-bloated will preach love of the young, naked nubile in the Hate Madrasses of Pakistan and host Teen Idol, starting new careers for hundreds of idle Jihad wannabees? With none left to blame, what then? Got any fresh ideas then?

I highly recommend that anyone happneing to come through here check out two new postings on our "documents" section.One is an essay by Sam Smith on social change and our current times.The other is a call for action by the Torture Abolition Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC) to abolish the new military commissions legislation.Would be interested in your thoughts...