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You're right. One thing civlians forget which the Soldier probably never forgets, is that many battles may not be able to be lost militarily, but they can't be won that way either.

The older I get the more I marvel at and admire in the extreme, a good Soldier's mind, heart and soul. It is something so far from my natural state of existence that I find it almost illusory.

Reading the rise and fall of the Roman Empire right now, Book 1, I think I'm in love w/Trajan. Here's a question for you though, who was Gibbons writing for, a Cambridge graduate? Goodness, gracious can that man layer thought after thought after thought in one sentence. I really have to study this book, reading it is not an option if I want to retain anything.

Many questions remain in a place where the United States has helped organize, fund and arm a military force of unknown capability or intention -- and unabashedly hostile to the occupiers. Some worry it may be free zone for bomb-makers, saboteurs, assassins and other violent types whose desire to drive the United States out of Iraq remains undiminished.

The intentions of Latif are hard to discern. He is slick, winks at journalists, says one thing to Westerners, another thing to Iraqis.

"He's an intelligence guy," said Col. John Toolan, commander of the 1st Marine Regiment. "You never get a straight answer from those guys."

This may give our infiltrators time to get into the city.