In the first couple of letters to the editor today, we learn that the real problem with Iraq is the liberals at home. Yeah, right.

Did you know that the B1 bomber is now in Iraq for the first time? How useful is a bomber in street-fighting? Is there anything left standing in Baghdad — or will there be when we declare victory and go home?

The solution to this war does not come from killing more people. Every death makes a martyr, every survivor a new militant.

The Shia and Sunni have to make peace. god help them. mjh

ABQjournal: Letters to the Editor

Liberal Deja Vu All Over

FOR THOSE of us who fought in Vietnam, the actions of the liberals in Congress will be “deja vu all over again.” The liberals are trying once again to pull the rug out from under our troops in time of war… [Liberals’] knowledge of history is limited to their liberal view. — D.B., Abq.

[mjh: is it possible that DB’s knowledge of the present is limited by his conservative view?]

Uniforms Not for Everybody

If you have never served your country and been in war, you just don’t know. And it is a waste of time for a combat veteran to try to explain it. You just won’t get it. — D.K., Abq.

[mjh: this is precisely what evangelical Christians say about their faith.]

Majority in Poll Favor Deadline For Iraq Pullout By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen, Washington Post Staff Writers

With Congress preparing for renewed debate over President Bush’s Iraq policies, a majority of Americans now support setting a deadline for withdrawing U.S. forces from the war-torn nation and support putting new conditions on the military that could limit the number of personnel available for duty there, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Opposition to Bush’s plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq remained strong. Two in three Americans registered their disapproval, with 56 percent saying they strongly object. The House recently passed a nonbinding resolution opposing the new deployments, but Republicans have blocked consideration of such a measure in the Senate. …

The Post-ABC poll found that 53 percent of Americans favored setting a deadline for troop withdrawals. Among those who favored a deadline, 24 percent said they would like to see U.S. forces out within six months and 21 percent called for the withdrawals to be completed within a year. …

Nearly seven in 10 women supported establishing some rules for training and rest time for troops to limit the number available for duty in Iraq, and 47 percent of men favored those limits. Similarly, a majority of men opposed setting any deadline for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq, while an even larger majority of women would like to see a deadline established.

The poll also registered a new low on the question of whether the Iraq war was worth fighting. Thirty-four percent responded that it was, while 64 percent said it was not — 51 percent strongly. On this question, 51 percent of military veterans and 53 percent of veteran households said they strongly believe that the war was not worth fighting.

Dubya’s War Without End has become more than just a recruiting ground for our enemies. It has become the perfect training ground. Every day, insurgents hone their tactics in urban guerrilla warfare. Tactics which would easily transfer to any city in America. It is beyond ironic that Duhbya brayed about fighting them “over there instead of over here.” Now they are more motivated and experienced than ever and better trained.

Duhbya has sown seeds that will bear fruit for generations. Some of that fruit will fall close to home. And his defenders will never recognize his responsibility in making the world much less safe than five years ago. mjh

Insurgents stage chemical attack, down helicopter, by BRIAN MURPHY, Associated Press

BAGHDAD – Insurgents exploded a truck carrying chlorine gas canisters Wednesday – the second such “dirty” chemical attack in two days – while a U.S. official said ground fire apparently forced the downing of a Black Hawk helicopter. All nine aboard the aircraft were rescued.

The attacks offer a sweeping narrative on evolving tactics by Sunni insurgents who have proved remarkably adaptable.

Military officials worry extremists may have recently gained more access to firepower such as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rockets and heavy machine guns – and more expertise to use them. The Black Hawk would be at least the eighth U.S. helicopter to crash or be taken down by hostile fire in the past month.

The gas cloud in Baghdad, meanwhile, suggests possible new and coordinated strategies by bombers trying to unleash toxic – and potentially deadly – materials. “Terrorists are using dirty means,” said Brig. Gen. Qassim Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman.

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/world/16752230.htm

I was shocked to hear Newt, er, Nit Romney say Grover Norquist’s name without gagging. You can judge a man by whose ass he kisses. Norquist is a paragon of Republican ideals: inflame the masses while serving the rich. mjh

Romney, Brownback Sign Taxpayer Protection Pledge

“America needs leaders who are committed to protecting taxpayers, and signing our Pledge demonstrates that kind of leadership,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR. “By signing the Pledge, Sam Brownback and Mitt Romney demonstrate allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide. It is now up to the other candidates in the race to stand up to the challenge.”

Bush tries to regain footing – Los Angeles Times By Janet Hook, Times Staff Writer

“There’s nothing good or useful that can be passed out of this Congress in the next two years,” said Grover Norquist, a Bush ally and president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Bush’s Conservative Base Frets Key Issues Are Losing Focus – WSJ.com By JACKIE CALMES

[T]he early frontrunners among Republicans — Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — all have problems among conservatives. The two Republican aspirants with the most appeal are Kansas’s Republican Sen. Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.