[Cheburashka]

Not at all rhetoric, but a decision to fight a limited war. Limited wars are protracted wars. Limited wars do not resolve core issues of conflict, but leave them for future generations to resolve. We need look no further than North Korea to see the fruits of limited war.
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So explain how you would fight your alternative unlimited war.

[backtothestreets]

So explain how you would fight your alternative unlimited war.

To begin with, I'd strongly suggest President Bush start by upholding his promise to Americans on the heels of the 9-11 attacks, "We will make no distinction between the terrorists that committed these acts and those that harbor them". Pakistan IS the nation harboring Osama bin Laden and the core elements of the organization that delivered the attacks, and the distinctions offered for not involving Pakistan did not come from the liberals, the Democrats, nor do I imagine, the majority of Republicans. The distinction came from the White House. In the years bin Laden and Al Qaeda have had refuge in Pakistan they have launched attacks in Britain, Spain, Russia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, numerous African nations. Their schools and training camps have prospered within Pakistan, turning our fighters that have been cycled into Iraq and reintroduced into Afghanistan to fight and kill our military forces along with civilian populations. The post 9-11 attacks have killed many thousands. Thousands that wouldn't have died had President Bush kept to his initial pledge.

On the home front, President Bush must reassess his opinion of Islam being a religion of peace. A majority of Republicans disagree with him, and I'm doubtful he could muster a plurality of support for his view among Democrats or independents.

The White House and Congress must involve citizens in this war. Post 9-11 decisions to not have a war bond campaign and redesign the remnants of what was once our Civil Defense so only citizens inviting by the government could participate marginalized wide public support that existed immediately after the attacks.

The attacks of 9-11 were the Pearl Harbor of our day, and to date we have not delivered our might against the architects of those attacks. Begin here. Seek justice for the victims of 9-11 and victory for our nation. Do not put these things off as it will only convince others we cannot strike back, or that their allah thing is somehow protecting them from our wrath.