[Superman]

Another evaluative bullseye from Jeff Higgins.

You mention:

".....About the only way we can succesfully continue this relationship is to not look too deeply behind each others' borders....."

I agree with that. But there is a problem. We're occupying the country that is in the geographical and cultural CENTER of their world.

You also mentioned that cultural intermingling is happening, and is unavoidable. I suspect this does not bode well for expectation of future relief from terrorism.

Gosh I......I just wonder......wonder if there is any connection between the fact that they hate us for our ideology and our imperialism - and the fact that we are the most industrialized country in the world and they are sitting on an ocean of crude oil. Could it just possibly be true that we have been busy asserting ourselves into their affairs?

And then there is the question of energy independence. If it were possible, a Presidential call to become 80% energy independent during the next decade would be one of the most impressive political coups in the history of American politics. And in spite of all the folks here who seem to be pessimistic about our chances of achieving this......I believe it. I think we can do it. And I think we should. In fact, I think we MUST. We should be waging war........on our own dependence. That, my friends, would be leadership.