[M1911A1]

Bingo. To me, what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan is extremely charitable towards Islam. Of course, we have our own interest in avoiding the general conflict you speak of, but the irony here is that if militant Islam is allowed to win in Iraq, it will likely lead to the deaths of millions of followers of Islam.

If our effort to spread democracy in the Middle East works, we will not be thanked by the residents there for the blood and treasure we spent to save them, except by a thoughtful few. It is most annoying.

[dalight]

Shrug. Its my kids I am worried about, not theirs, in this sense.

But, do the Germans or Japanese spend hours of sending us abject thank yous? I have dealt with folks from both countries professionally. Folks say, that was then, this is now. But. I am glad to have the opportunity. Good Steel. Not that we couldn't make it here. We just forgot how to do it economically, thanks to all who made that possible.

Anyway, this is about my kids and grandchildren not having to pay dhimmi taxes or die horribly in some genocidal Maelstrom. I believe that sometimes the most selfish thing you can do is help someone in need.

Nevertheless, this is the meaning of being in the National interest. When something is so important that it doesn't matter if they say thanks.

Besides, the French said thanks profusely, see how long that lasted.