Here's a real mind-boggler for you: The problem in Iraq is due to extremists and terrorists. They are Middle Eastern, and have proven repeatedly that they are capable of blowing up other ME women and children. Following me so far? Where exactly does the 'evil empire' factor into this? This is THEIR problem. We are helping them deal with it.

You make a lot of assumptions and generalizations. So far, you hve failed to refute the original post, or even manage to address it for that matter. What's the matter, out of talking points? Never mind, I know you won't directly answer, you haven't got any.

You speak for the people of Iraq. If you say they are thanking us, they are. Oh yea, you also speak for "everyone else". Interesting, have you always had this meglomania thing going?

And of course Saddam opened the door for Al Queda. After all they are only Islamic fundamentalists who would have liked to seen Saddam removed from power and shot. Can't think of any reason he would not have rolled out the red carpet. And I know you have documentation of Al Queda in Iraq before the war.

And then there is your message of hope to the people of Iraq. "With us, you will be slaughtered a bit more slowly." Can you feel the love?

Why are we so dad-blamed intent on extending the Blessings of Civilization to our Brothers who Sit in Darkness?

Do you really want me to explain it?

Oh and by the way, the intelligent thing is not to just quote other people's work, but to give credit where credit is due: Rudyard Kipling, 1899

Iraq has both an insurrection and terrorism.
For it to be a civil war the incidents and death rate would have to be 30x what I am seeing reported.

Also have you noticed that most of the incidents are targeted close enough to the PRESS bars to get their attention.

This is the equivalent of what '68 Tet was for the VC - desperation. After that one the VC was out of the fight and we faced NVA regulars.

Unfortunately, we lost our nerve and that is what AQI and their allies are after.

Thanking us, yes, and they are.

Starting the war? No. Saddam did that, as well as far more harm than we will ever do.

Opening the door for Al Qaeda? Saddam again, and their enablers in the ME.

Way to totally avoid any relevant points of debate, though. What's plan 'B', name calling?

Now here is Ralph Peters reporting things as they really are (and how soldiers and coalition members actually THERE say it too), how everyday life in a country is contrary to what media outlets such as CBS report, and how do liberals such as DC Loser respond? They discredit the guy.

You want the truth? Liberals can't handle the truth! But if you really want the truth, get first hand accounts. That is what Peters has done and liberals STILL don't want to hear it.

Of course, the liberals want the terrorists to win (so democrats can win elections), and the USA (in an effort to get rid of Bush) to lose.