[speeder]

Pete, thank you for responding. I may not agree with your vision of what our leaders should be doing, but at least your opinions seem well thought out and consistent, you have a core set of beliefs that I would call traditional conservative.

What I would like to see done differently in regards to terrorism is just intelligent security at our borders and airports, an INS that has the tools and support that it needs to enforce immigration policy, and much more "surgical" military operations around the globe against individuals who are a danger to us. Besides that, coalitions w/ our traditional allies and smart diplomacy to reduce hatred for us when it is possible, ( it's in our best interest), this is where we may diverge because I oppose some of the same policies that make people hate us, but I believe in killing terrorists. Hope that clarifies things with me.

Invading and occupying Iraq was a disasterous mistake IMO, god knows how expensive and destabilizing it really was. As an American sitting comfortably at home, I feel gut-wrenching pain for the troops that are on the ground there getting shot at because of inept policy makers in D.C. Do I support the troops? Yeah, and if one of my guys was in power they would all still be alive. It breaks my heart and makes me fighting mad, I'm not kidding. If you and I could go there and talk to them right now, I'm sure that plenty, including officers, would privately agree w/ me at this point.

I have many relatives and a surrogate big brother who was a Marine in Viet Nam during the Tet offensive, who are what I would call "mainstream Republicans", fiscally conservative but not religious zealots, realistic about the human condition and pragmatic. That is what I aim for, but I expect quite a bit from leaders. I have never seen someone do a worse job of leading than this president. He is truly pathetic, IMO, and in the eyes of the world.