We can't stop the estimated 500,000 gang members in US cities from terrorizing residents, we can't stop poisonous drugs from coming in, we can't control illegal immigration, etc. etc. but by God, we're going to spend whatever it takes to turn Afghanistan into a democratic paradise where they will love Americans. Could we send some of these BILLIONS AND BILLIONS over to my county so I don't get laid off??

pity - yes, you have it right. The reason the British gave up on the American Colonies was NOT Yorktown. The British had at least 25,000 other troops in the Americas. It was the fact that the cost affected both their economy and their ability to make progress in other areas - particularly India. But there are examples throughout History where foolish leaders bankrupted their countries - we should profit by their example.

Mickey, with the words of your father, you make a great point that all should serve. No one in his right mind wants war, and it should come only as a necessary premptive strike (in the case of nuclear and biological weapons), or as a last resort. Iraq was not weapons of mass destruction, as we were told, but the Taliban in Afghanistan had to answer for 9/11. Terrorism is the secret enemy. The world is never free again to take anything for granted. We must be engaged in the world or we will not survive. On the other hand, as your father suggested, everyone should serve. Only then, can we collectively make the better peace or war decisions.

The phony BHO promised change - only problem is he had no record of changing anything. good luck, man.

Senator Obama's campaign is based on hope and change. Does that mean that we can HOPE a week goes by before he CHANGEs his mind again? This guy can't be trusted on any issue. Obama, the flim-flam man.

I have a hard time discerning whether I'm listening to George Bush or Barack Obama on Iraq. It seems that Obama is sounding more like Bush every day. Obama is trying to twinst the meaning of the term "refining" his way yet again. What "refining" actually means to Obama, is another "flip-flop". In the primaries, in interview after interview, Obama stated he would have the troops home in 2009. McCain, Patreus, and many others told him this would not be possible, but Obama, in his arrogant self, would not listen. Now Obama is having to "crawfish" and agree with them, only he is trying to spin it his way. People say if McCain is elected, its 4 more years of Bush, but, the way its shaping up, it looks like if Obama is elected, the Bush years will continue. Will someone remind me, is Obama a democrat or a republican? He changes his mind daily, so I'm not sure anymore.

I am very surprised that our President Bush was not in Iraq, celebrating Independence Day with our soldiers this year. -- It would have been a reasonable gesture. -- He never ceases to disappoint, in so many ways. -- So very narrow.

Marie Zarankevich...do not be surprised that Bush is not in Iraq. Being the "yellow belly coward" he is no one should expect him to be any where near some real military action. His chance to serve in Viet Nam was removed by his "daddy". Bush spent his Viet Nam time serving on the USS Bar Stool. Unlike Navy ships that are painted grey his was painted "yellow".
He is much better sending men into harms way than he is in going there himself. So, don't expect him to have the courage that the Iranian president had when he rode through Baghdad in an open welcoming parade. Bush has to sneak in and sneak out...the quality one expects of a sneak or is that a snake....same letters just reaarranged.

United States Marines are no doubt the finest fighting force in the world, but I agree with Senator Obama, we need to get out of Iraq, and out of Afghanistan. The time has come to rebuild America. Here we are with troops deployed all over the world and the problems at home are left unsolved. I have a feeling we either change, or we end up with every American living in poverty. Wake up America. The country is in deep trouble. Homeland Security has added to the problem. I was recently in California, and it appeared to me Homeland Security (imigration) at LAX, thinks everyone is either a thief, or a boogie man. What a mess!!!!! I was glad to get on a plane and go back to Thailand.

Our military is out giving their best but the strategy was flawed. Our military can only do so much and really it was a poor plan from the get go. We've been playing catch up ever since

David - you pay too much attention to MSM - do some research - it takes about 5 minutes to Google Senator Obama's statements on Iraq from the beginning of the primaries - his stance has not changed - it is MSM that pushes that misconception. Sells more papers and attracts more viewers - what is news but manufactured controversy?

Proud to be an American? Well let's see. My son is a Marine fighting in Afghanistan and in his home country we continue to struggle with the high prices of gas and food. We continue to allow an ignorant congress to sign off on bills in support of an assine president who continues to believe that America is in a superior position. I can't agree with the "proud to be an American" pledge when we have a country filled with hoplessness and homelessness. As my son fights for freedom in Afghanistan I have to continue to encourage him not to worry about his home country or his little sister who will have to take out student loans to go to college. I have to remind him that regardless of the bull that's happening in this country we should still stand proud. However what I constantly remind him is an African American male no one can take away our resilence, determination nor our ability to do what we have to do to make it. So am I proud to be an American only because my son sacrifices daily for everyone's freedom.

Please keep all of the marines and soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq in your thoughts and prayers. My fiance is currently deployed with the 24th MEU in Afghanistan. Times are tough, but they continue to do their duty for the freedom of this country. Please pray for their safety, strength through hard times, and a safe return home.

It's real hard to support McCain right now. The troops should be deployed in Afghanistan and not Iraq. The surge was a clear political ploy, and to the extent I support McCain I reluctantly suppor it. But everyone knows the real game is in Wazistan etc, and was since we outsourced the capture of Osama, as Kerry truthfully said, to the Northern Alliance. I can't supprt Obamas domestic program, but this scion of a military family hates ther Iraq war.