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an admirable action – but not worth a single American life, in my opinion.

Here's where we really disagree. We've been over the Middle East (oil) barrel since the establishment of Israel, and especially since the embargo in '73. We've been manipulated by oil-rich Iranian Persians and Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc. for far too long. No matter how you view it, the stand-off between Israel and the Arab world is insoluble by diplomatic means. I've watched administration after American administration skewered and mislead by double-dealing from both sides.

Bush understands the old maxim that "When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." We now occupy Afghanistan and Iraq. We have powerful military forces next to Pakistan, Iran, Syria and Turkey. Message received? We can decide to allow Caspian (Russian) oil to market by pipeline through Afghanistan or not -- how are you feeling today, Vladimir? Maybe that depends on how your competitors are feeling. It may just be that we've destroyed OPEC.

In the Third Millenium A.D. Realpolitik may have a new meaning.

You might be right about the power we can now exert because of Afghanistan and Iraq. But negotiating any type of agreement to stop the Israeli / Palestinian conflict is a real shot in the dark. Our chances have perhaps improved from none to slim – not enough, for my thinking, to risk American lives (not to mention my tax dollars).

"Bush understands the old maxim that "When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." We now occupy Afghanistan and Iraq. We have powerful military forces next to Pakistan, Iran, Syria and Turkey. Message received? We can decide to allow Caspian (Russian) oil to market by pipeline through Afghanistan or not -- how are you feeling today, Vladimir? Maybe that depends on how your competitors are feeling. It may just be that we've destroyed OPEC."

--- BINGO! Bush has already made major changes in the world, and it's just the beginning. Of course Democrats don't want to acknowledge the significant benefits of this to the US and our national security.