Stigweard: do you SERIOUSLY believe that talking to the leaders of the many terrorist groups in the middle-east would remove the terrorist threat to the world? And it IS a world-wide threat, not just one facing the USofA. You idealists have (IMO) a very strange attitude toward resolving conflicts. I don't believe I have ever read on the Mudcat a serious criticism of Al Quieda, Hammas, or any other terrorist group posted by anyone other than the conservative members of the Mudcat. To most of you they are never wrong, only the U. S. (particularly the U. S. leaders)and it's allies are wrong. It's all our fault. HORSEPUCKY I say!

And Peace, I don't recall making such a prediction. My recollection is that I made no prediction as to when our troops would come home. Only that they would come home when the Iraqi military and police were trained enough so that they could provide stability and safety for the Iraqi people.

DougR