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You haven't answered anything. I am a 30 year veteran of US conservative policts and have worked for President Reagan and in Congress and intelligence. I have known Norquist and Gaffney for decades. I live in DC and watch this very closely and am more than passingly familiar with the facts in question, and have considerable professional experience in relevant areas. I have not attacked anyone here. Ihave provided facts and asked questions. You have not provided facts and you have not answered questions. If you thing that's an attack on you, deal with it!

How can I believe you?

Quite frankly, if you've really been that involved, you may want to re-think your approach.

I have had my disagreements with other posters here. Poohbah and I have disagreed on whether or not the Iowa-class battleships should be reactivated (I'm for reactivation, he's against it). Long Cut and I have disagreed on the need for the SURTASS LFA sonar system (I am in favor of developing and deploying that system, he is against it). In neither case do I feel that their opposition to those systems is cause to question their commitment to this country's security.

El Conservador and I have disagreed about the AUC and Carlos Castano. I see them as a valuable ally against FARC and the drug lords, and I feel his work with Los Pepes ought to count for something. His view about the AUC and Castano is much different from mine, and I am sure he will not hesitate to jump in on that. But I think it is safe to say that both El Conservador and I both want to see FARC out of business and that we both share a desire for Colombia to experience doestic tranquility.

Both Nick Danger and Bob J have made some very valid points in this thread. And it looks like both of them are being attacked for not going along with the charges that have been thrown at Norquist.

There are conservatives who have concerns about the Patriot Act. Bob Barr and Dick Armey come to mind right away. Does that leave them open to the same sort of charges that are made against Grover Norquist?

Am I a "terrorist supporter" because I believe Colin Powell made the wrong call about the AUC?

Am I a "terrorist sympathizer" because I don't buy the "Islam is the enemy" bullcrap some people are foisting here?

Am I a "terrorist sympathizer" for pointing out that this feud could be more related to the known tension between cultural conservatives and the more libertarian wing of the movement?

I'd like to know.