Our problems In America are political in nature, we don't fix problems any more we politicalsize them into making new problems.

In Irag it is political corruption and as usual it is always somebody else whom owns the problem...

There is a common thread to all this, "It's the politicians stupid !" As long as the world is willing to pay for bad politics, exspect to pay for it ! By the way it all makes great news.

Howz 'democracy' working out for you guys so far ????????????

Well, notwithstanding high fuel prices, shortages of electricity and other essential goods and services, and of course notwithstanding the daily terror and carnage that is Iraq today, the United States is bringing the country democracy!!!!!!!!!!

Didja find the weapons of mass destruction yet? Oh, wait, they don't exist? Gee, and you were so sure they were going to use them on us any minute now. I want an investigation, I want the truth to come out. Remember the Truth? Objective reality? That will not occur as long as the Republicans remain in charge.

Polls say 60% of the public is against the war in Iraq. Bush interprets this to mean 60% are in favor of a "cut-and-run" policy, while he disagrees and insists on staying until the job is done. I think the big mistake being made by everyone is that 60% are against "his war in Iraq". I certain a large portion of that 60% are in favor of finishing the job, they just don't support the Bush administration's handling of it to date, and they have no confidence whatsoever that the administration is capable of doing any better than it has since the invasion. The arrogance of these people is sickening. They are deluded in their thinking that US military might can force any nation to do what we want regardless of their traditions, religion, or economic situation. Our choices should not be either cut-and-run, or do the same thing with the same leadership. But unfortuneately, that's what we're limited to. I just can't stand to hear it oversimplified in a way that implies those of us that see the arrogance and incompetence of this administration are willing to walk away from the mess we've created.

We were supposed to have gasoline flowing cheaply everywhere after toppling Saddam. What a mess! It's no wonder that the Iraqi's are marching in the streets AGAINST THE U.S... We haven't made life any better at all, possibly worse. Will the Iraqi's appreciate us even more after we hang Saddam? I doubt it. Al

I think Bush just handed Democrats Victory in November. All it will take is a spark to ignite a revolution in Iraq. When that happens mass demonstrations and a full blown civil war. Nothing left but a Theocracy. Then will he get out???? No and American Troops will be in the middle of that. America will bring troops home when Democrats cut funding for Iraq. If that's what it takes then I say call Bush on this and bring our boys home!

I do support the people of Iraq in their effort to create a better life, but I do wonder how much we can help. This reminds me of the dreaded domestic abuse call the police get. Either you separate the couple, usually by sending one to jail or you do nothing.But which ever happens usually only temporary. What are the worlds police to do?

Who cares? The US has given it's sons blood and the taxpayers money to get their people out of a bad situation. The only people in Iraq who care about America are the ones making money. When we leave they won't care. Let them have a civil war. We had one!

It appears as though Bush's efforts to force feed democracy and regime changes to the middle east has not only driven Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon to the edge of the cliff, but this country appears to be at the edge of the cliff also. Everything this administration touches appears to be dying a slow death. Bush has stated to the media that we are turning the corner 6 times at last count. By the term "corner", is it possible he secretly meant the edge of the cliff.

Thank you Mr. Bush.

The culture of the Arab street is so differernt from the Western world that doing anything on that stage requires a level of sophistication that the Bush administration is as far away from, as a first grader from a phd. Iraq needed the equivelant of a neurosergeon to fix it, and we sent them the equivelant of a 19th century quack. Anything we do there from now on, unless steeped in spectacular finess, is bound to make things worse. It is a sad comment on the intelligence-superiority of the western mind, that it has not steeped into political wisdom.

Most of you folks dont have any idea what you're talking about...just ranting to rant. how many of you have been to iraq and had iraqis line up to shake your hand and thank you? How many of you are just taking what the media spoon feeds you as not just truth, but the whole truth? One of you speaks of being objective...it's difficult to make an educated observation if only looking from one side. I'm not saying there aren't problems with the current situation, but instead of just pointing out what is wrong, how about offering alternative solutions? Otherwise it's just a bunch of noise and not going to help anything or anyone.

God help us if during world war II the same attitudes dominated. The world would be a different place, and it will be as well if someone doesn't take a stand and make the sacrifice to do what needs to be done. Stability in that region was our policy for years and it didn't work--it produced embassy bombings, terrorist states within the state, extremism, violence, threat to u.s. security, and in the end, terrorist events like 9/11. Our best hope is DEMOCRACY. It's always easier to criticize than to face reality and do what needs to be done. This is WAR not a walk in the park, and it's UGLY. The only question is, is our way of life worth it? Some seem to suggest it isn't, that dictatorships and the denial of human rights as a PRINCIPLE...can be on the same level. Wake up! You must stand, America

This war in Iraq is a total diaster and only keeps getting worse. I see absolutely no signs of any "mission completed" here, only one huge never ending blunder.

You would think that VietNam would have taught this administration a lesson or two about ill-advised war's except that GWB did not fight in VietNam. However Collin Powell did and he got the hell out of dodge before GWB & his band of cronies started up another war in Iraq.

This administration must have had their blinders on perty tight getting this country involved in what I see as nothing more than a GWB personal revenge against Saddam. What a waste of resources and lives!If the people of Iraq wanted to be free of Saddam, its their job to remove him not ours!

Thanks to GWB I will not vote for any Republician for a long time let along any incumbent!

Bush was trying to set an example in the Middle East by invading Iraq. But instead, what happens there is teaching him and his supporter a good leason. The problems is we are all paying for it dearly.

Is George W. Bush like in Viet Nam going to wait until 58,000 American troops are killed in Iraq before he changes his course in Iraq?

Hey what about us right here at home? While Bush is sending OUR Troops in harms way, guess what People are Dying right here at home. I am on disability, resulting from masses in my spine, can I get Medicaid hell no, because I had, HAD, to much money in the bank. So now have to wait for a hearing, however that will take. The one doctor that I did see, because so many turn you down, just told me yesterday that I have Cancer. THANK YOU BUSH AND OUR GOVERNMENT for FORGETTING the REAL COST OF LIFE. It is not just over in the middle east, it is costing lives right here in our Country! The war is sucking our lives both aboard and home! So who is winning! EVERYTHING BIN LADEN SAID IS COMING TO PASS BUSH! YOU LIFE SUCKING PARASITE! OH this includes BLUNT (both)!

Funding for this idiocy needs to be cut. While we wait for that to happen we need to steer our children away from the military until there is an intelligent and competent Commander-in-Chief in place. The President requires both blood and treasure for this madness. We need to deny him both. Anybody notice the first ever involuntary recall by the Marines today? My Son-in-law left the Corp last year after returning from Falluja. He had only 1 day of IRR thank god.

U.S. voters continue to allow its elected officials to lie to them with impunity, and the resulting empowerment of the lethal combination of arrogance and incompetence brought on by Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Rove has yielded bloodshed, civil war and distraction from addressing the true threats of Iran and North Korea, with only the hope of more to come. Only the American electorate can change course from these horrific results caused by the heritage of unrelenting bad decision after mkistaken judgment.

It's not just Iraq. Can someone, anyone, name just ONE thing Mr. Bush has touched that has worked out for the average guy, American or otherwise? George Bush should be made to walk the streets of Baghdad, to see the results and bear the conquences of HIS actions.

Americans re-elected the mad fool. They deserve to bleed in Iraq until January 2009. Just wait, the war in Iran is coming soon and it will make Iraq look like Grenada.

Beyond the 60% disapproval ratings, beyond the invasion of IRAQ and yes in the past this would be called an invasion NOT liberation....if you look at the deeper purpose, the whole idea was to de-stabilize the oil market in the hopes of increasing oil and gas prices for the shareholders and the ultra wealthy. The oil and gas companies are making money hand over fist...perfect example of take from the poor give to the rich...those in the "KNOW" bought in prior to 9/11 when Bush and his cronies had plans for this back in 1998, read PNAC www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm This is imperialism at its finest with the intent to raise oil prices out of sheer greed....no I am not a whacko conspiracy theorist, the PNAC folks make no qualms about their goals, and all are former energy/Oil Execs....so who is getting rich and who is getting poor while gas prices rise, not hard to figure out....and even if you bought into Energy stock, you ain't makin it rich, they are....

Wake up America before the world is run by energy execs and we all bow down to the great oil god and its leaders, the Bush administration....please seriously....wake up....and pay attention to what is really going on...the Iraqi's paying high prices is not a surprise....we all are since Bush took office. You can blame, China, you can blame whatever you want, but this is sheer market manipulation.

They are different people, with different ways of viewing things. We can't expect them to see things as we “Americans” view them. I am a republican, but don't necessarily agree with things as they are. Would we as Americans be better off if we turned a blind eye? I think not; remember, to most of them we are the great SATAN and have crosshairs on our country. We are for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, can we really force others to hold our values, NO! We need to stay for a while and try to stabilize the bees-nest with minimum trauma and casualty, then get out as fast as we can, how about establishing a society that they’re familiar with?

The "terrorist attack" excuse is odd, considering that the Brookings Institute's Iraq Index has been reporting almost no attacks since April against "IRAQI OIL AND GAS PIPELINES, INSTALLATIONS & PERSONNEL", but which does not seem to include truck drivers in its attack descriptions. Source: http://www.brookings.edu/fp/saban/iraq/index.pdf (PDF - page 23 - Gives http://www.iags.org/iraqpipelinewatch.htm as its source)

Iraqi oil revenue from exports has increased dramatically during that period, too. (page 33) Hmmmm.