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JustPiper:

A couple of observations re: the terrorists. First, I expect this to be a long war. I do think my kids will see peace in their lifetime, though.

I read a demographic from the Middle East a couple of years ago ... that about half of the Arab population is under the age of 25. There are not too many cooler heads to balance off the teenagers, and the older terrorists seem real invested in getting the younger ones to enlist in suidice missions. However, they WILL age and hopefully get some wisdom -- the ones that survive.

Second ... the governments in the middle east, with maybe only two exceptions (including Israel!) are not terrific to their people. They've also been encouraging their people to blame the US for all their problems ... while letting their governments off scott free. There is virtually no free press there, and conspiracy theories abound ... and are believed. (Almost the situation that the US democrats would like ... but I digress!)

Third ... about a year after 9/11, I've noticed that in their rhetoric, and in some news analyses ... there is an honestly nutsy quality to the Al Quada rhetoric. For example, recall the endless discussion of dreams in that second Bin Laden video tape after 9/11 ... the dinner party he had with his friend.

After seeing the tape, and reading alot .. it almost seemed to me like they really believed that if Atta could just take out the WTC, Allah would take over from there, and smite the US, and bring on the Muslim version of end times ... and Bin Laden would be the Mahdi.

So ... it's hard to tell from their posts whether THEY actually plan to do something ... or honestly expect ALLAH to really do something. (i.e., Watch out!!! Allah's gonna get you!)

On the other hand, they could always get tired of waiting for Allah to do something ... I was chilled, watching Tom Ridge yesterday. We've overdue, I think, for something to happen ... and I do expect they'll hit the US before elections. If they can.

Sorry to have run on so long