[kabar]

Most Iraqis are sitting on the fence waiting to see who is stronger. If we fail to meet the challenge to our authority, we lose the majority of the population. I hope that our diplomats don't convince Bush that world opinion will be against him or that the Iraqi populace will rise up against us if we take strong measures. We have heard that before about the Arab street. Having lived in the Middle East for 7 years, a show of strength is the only answer. Anything else is considered weakness. Notice how Hamas has been quiet lately since the Israelis got rid of their leader.

[alaskanfan]

And the wrangling about the 9-11 commission in the news and the press saying that Iraq is Bush's Vietnam only makes us and our president look weak.