GUEST 12 Apr 04 - 10:56 AM,

You should get out and see a bit more of the world at first hand, you then might at least some vague idea about they way things work. Although I doubt it, you seem to have trouble in simple comprehension (the timescale I was referring to had nothing whatsoever to do with the timescale the Commision had to complete it's work).

"If we ever find out what the problems were" - It is pretty obvious what the problems were, and they stretch back a long way before the current administration took office.

As to, "what reasonable solutions can be offered, it won't be because of the Bush administration, but in spite of it". On the contrary, post 9/11 a great deal was done by the Bush administration

As for, "The fact that we allow Afghanistan and Pakistan to dictate whether or not they will "allow" US troops in their countries is a joke, considering we just out and out invaded Iraq." What really is the joke here is that you demonstrate that you have completely failed to grasp the sensitivities involved in operating in the countries you mention. Did you know where any of these countries were before 9/11? Did you have any idea of the demographics or politics of those countries? From what you post, I somehow doubt it.

By the way what resources were stripped from the effort in Afghanistan to reinforce action taken in Iraq?