I actually could have gone either way, and I applaud Obama's deliberative approach to the Afghan situation. I think with his unique background and the apparent good relationship he has with the generals, he is in a better position to fight this war as it needs to be fought and to win, it winning is at all possible.

The Republican politicians seem to me to be out for Obama's political ruination and to be slanting as far as possible without seeming to be outrightly anti-patriotic. But after all, they are politicians and the Democrats played that game with the last guy.

Personally, if I'm fighting this war, I want one thing: TO WIN. That means ending the Taliban and Al Qaeda and ruining them in the eyes of their would-be supporters. It is a socio-political war more than it is a fighting war. It is a matter of winning hearts and minds, whatever else it is.

The reward is far greater for the Islamic world than it is for us: They get to enter the Twenty-first century, their women get to drive and vote and say 'no' every so often.

Meanwhile, I thoroughly endorse a war that we Americans PAY FOR. To that end, I say on a daily basis that we should put a $1.00/ per gallon war tax on all fuels that flow, particularly at the pump. We should use that to pay for our overseas adventures, and if we have anything left over, we should be buying back our debt.