Mick,

Were you at all optimistic when the coalition forces went into Iraq that they would cause the needed changes?  I was and I still am.  A free Iraq is a good thing but it has to come at a price.  We can argue all day long about how high a price we're willing to pay but I don't buy the argument from the left/democrats that the loss of life is a tragedy and therefor we need to get out.  They're the ones who think partial birth abortion is a good thing and that the practice needs to be preserved.  Since when did liberals become concerned about the death of others?  They're concerned with maintaining the status quo at the expense of the oppressed people of Iraq and anywhere else we're trying to bring freedom.  A free world is a good thing and as near as I can tell it's the only logical solution to young minds being corrupted by a terrorist mindset.  No doubt the war has been a good thing for terrorism in the short term but I don't see that there is any avoiding that.  I think the focus has to be on a point 10 to 20 years ahead and not on the here and now. 

Kevin g