[Jeff Head]

Moqtada al-Sadr is reportedly in the Imman Ali shrine, surrounded by thousands of armed supporters who have taken over religious, government and police buildings in the holy city.

This is a direct affront and challenge to the very purpose we are supposedly trying to accomplish in Iraq...the creation of a free and constitutional Iraqi government.

It cannot be allowed to stand anymore than the similar events in Fallujah. We either step up to the plate and pacify these insurgencies like al-Sadr with extreme prejudice, or we will embolden the terrorists, ba'athists, Islamic radical fundamentalists and all of their abettors and supporters...and we will let down the hopes of the millions in the majority who are watching and hoping that those who terrorize them can be put down (BTW, despite what O'Reilley and others say, there are hundreds of thousands of them joining in the fight with us).

In short, either we step up to the plate now...or we sow the seeds of our own ignanomous defeat IMHO.

[Junior_G]

If we're serious at all about what we're doing in Iraq, now is the time to show it. If we're not going to hit back because we're afraid of what the world will think, then bring 'em home.

Letting al-Sadr continue to order attacks on US servicemen from the safety of his coward's den should not be an option on the table.

[Jim Noble]

Jeff, you are one of the few who understands enough about war, and about the enemy, to appreciate that we can lose as well as win.

[Prime Choice]

Spot on the money. You know your stuff. Thanks!