I am ignorant, about a lot of things, including the Internet. One of my old buddies thought that Iíd enjoy reading the posts on this website. I thought that there would be good discussions of whatís really going on. But it seems that if someone disagrees with what you say, the first thing they do is try to show how clever they are when they make fun of you and try to get their on-line friends to join in. I thought I left this all behind in 7th grade. Some guys were small and hadnít hit puberty yet and bullies liked to make fun of them and get their gang to go along. Later it turned out that the bullies were just as scared as everyone else and they put on a big show of being tough so no one would find out.

So the guy I like to read is CBFTW Like me, he is someone who has been touched by war. He doesnít puff up like a bullfrog to show how tough he is. Heís not afraid to let us know heís scared. We all were scared shitless when faced daily with death or loss of someone we were close to. Anyone who says heís not scared isnít someone I want covering my back, because he must be high or stupid. And anyone who would put someone through what I went through for the sake of winning an election doesnít deserve my respect. Youíre welcome to your opinion, itís still a free country. And donít give me any bull that people like me are fighting for your freedom in Iraq- we may be fighting for something over there, but it isnít the right of Americans to vote, worship as we please, go where we please, or speak our piece.

Oh, and Colin Powell said yesterday that American troops are going to secure the no go areas before the January elections. So Novak and Safire were right.

Novak’s real role in life is his attempt to remain pertinent. His real source is himself, which appears very impeachable.

Both China & India have substantial economic growth, account for 35% or so of the total population of the world, and the average age of their citizens is lower than that of many industrial countries.

So let Freedland dreams of American elections, and Grauniad readers dream along with him.

(The Guardian’s so bad at correcting its own errors that apparently they even ignored misspelling their own logo)

According to Robert Novak and William Safire? You quote them and then treat that as gospel? From that unsubstantiated somewhat lonely voiced premise you move forward into your channeling of Dan Rather, which is to say “let me accept hearsay and supposition as fact” all because of course it rings true to a heart cynically filled with pre-conceived notions of this President and his underhanded ways.

Well to me you represent quite well the “Poster Child” of what is wrong with the cynical left, though you did say one thing that rings true to this ex-lefty…

I can’t vote for someone who would sacrifice even one life to get or hold political office

I agree, yet it is John Kerry that killed for opportunity! He personally confessed, “I committed atrocities!”, admitting to murder and torture. Now he is using the fame of such confessions for his own gain. Should we allow such a man to serve? No way! I’ll leave you to defend him.

“I donít know why or how any self respecting American citizen- especially combat veterans- could either.” ó Well, since we have veterans here from every service this side of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I can assume you haven’t been paying much attention to this blog, let alone doing anything as foolish as visiting Captain’s Quarters, the VVFT and SBVT sites or reading Unfit for Command.

It doesnt make much sense that we would wait to attack the strongholds in the Sunni Triangle until after the election–looks to me like the President would get a boost for cracking down on them before the election. Ultimately, however, it does appear to me that the provisional Iraqi government is really calling the shots in Iraq–my friends on the left may not believe that, but it I think a strong case can be made that is the case.

Finally, with respect to your last point about combat veterans: that would be me for one. Presidents do have to sacrifice lives in war (Abraham Lincoln comes to mind). You may believe that is a political calculation–so be it. I do not see that trait in the President, thus I am supporting him in this election.

It should be clear that the US Army hasn’t been delaying operations in Iraq for political purposes to anyone who is actually paying attention. But lets do Clayton more honor than he deserves and take him seriously.

Why doesn’t he condemn the Democrats who refuse to join with the President in an aggressive Iraq policy? Oh, Clayton’s little cheap shot about sacrificing soldiers’ lives for political gain was just hypocrisy? I never would have guessed…

I donít know why or how any self respecting American citizen- especially combat veterans- could either.

I like a fellow who is not afraid to confess his ignorance.