Thanks to Mr. Sharon's actions this has been the first Jewish sabbat without a plague of suicide bombers running around with explosives strapped to them blowing themselves up with anyone unfortunate enough to be near them. So this administration in it's infinite wisdom demands Israel pull out of the West Bank immediately. I wonder who will be to blame when Palestinians with explosive belts strapped to them that were freshly distributed start a renewed campaign of blowing Israelis to bits? I sure won't blame Ariel Sharon. Too bad Israel isn't sitting on an ocean of "oil".

Years ago when I was younger I remember everyone cheering about the great job we were doing in Viet Nam. Then during the Vietnamese celebration of the Tet when we least expected it the North Vietnamese Army hit us with everything they had all at once. American casualties were enormous. It became a turning point in that war and the beginning of the end for LBJ. Let's hope Hussein & bin-Laden didn't espouse to reading history books. As with the World Trade Center though it seems like the enemy loves using the element of "surprise" in their favor resulting in tragic loses for us.

It is said that we don't need a large expendiatory force to take on Iraq. Even Bush Sr. knew better than that when he sent 250,000 troops back in 1991. Current military planners know we need at least 200,000 troops to do that job right. Any less is a recipe for disaster like Viet Nam. You have to gain air superiority first, but any ground commander will tell you you have to have enough troops to occupy captured land or you end up playing a cat & mouse game like we did in Viet Nam, & like we are currently playing in Afghanistan. Sure those caves are empty. All the arms and troops have been moved into civilian areas for hiding. Remember Saddam Hussein & bin-Laden are not above using innocents to protect assets. I am just happy the caves were empty, and none of our troops were hurt, but they run in harms way every day so it is part of the job.

If you ever saw "Born on the Fourth of July", that's the kind of guy I am or was once upon a time. I came from a military family, and my motto was "America love it or leave it". Then something happened to me that opened my eyes to what "war" is really all about, and that is "death". If you hold a sword in both hands and go do it my way or the highway then the enemy will take the highway every time. If you hold an olive branch in one hand & a sword in the other then say here's the choice grab the branch or get the sword then almost every time the enemy will take the branch. Tough talk saying you are with us or else will do no good with people willing to "die" for what they believe in. Mr. Powell is taking the first olive branch I have even seen this administration offer. Let us hope he does not fail.

By the way if no one noticed, unemployment rose to 5.8% which is strange for a "wartime" economy. Maybe this administration hopes to up recruitment numbers by neglecting domestic issues. Mr. Gore, of course, has a better plan.

-- Mr. T (workingstiff6198@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002

Answers

By the Way...WE WON'T SHUT UP!

By the grace of God we still live in a "free" democracy, and unless this administration want to do what POLAND did years ago and declare "martial law"(by the WAY it DIDN'T WORK FOR THEM EITHER!) then we are going to go on telling the TRUTH here whether you like it or NOT! This administration cost a lot of "good" technical jobs including mine....SO I AM NOT SHUTTING UP! I drank to much when I was working anyway. This administration is going to WISH they kept me WORKING and INTOXICATED because I PLAN on being a BIG THORN IN THEIR PAW!

-- Florida Cowboy (floridacowrustler@hotmail.com), April 06, 2002.

One good thing did happen....

Not wanting to knock a dire situation for you as plagues many of us, but stopping the excessive drink was one "good" thing that happened for you cowboy. These days with what is happening in this world and what the present administration is trying to pull off you need to walk in the door with your eyes open and all your senses intact. I am not a tee-totaller, and as a matter of fact a glass of "red" wine every once in a while is actually "good" for you. Just don't lay in the gutter with it and you'll be just fine. Good Luck with your endeavors. I share your expeiences, and believe me it is not any fun.

-- Mr. T (workingstiff6198@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.

In Defense of Arafat...

I think Mr. Powell should see him , and he should be allowed to move freely in and out of Ramallah if he is willing to actually try to calm down tensions, and stop the suicide bombings. Then he should sit down with Mr. Powell & Mr. Sharon and hammer out these land problems to insure a peaceful border between Israel & Palestine. Keeping the man in the dark without any comforts will do no good. The killing has to stop.

By the way, the best way to get Iran & Syria involved in this situation is to tell them to stay out. It's their "backyard" not ours.

-- Mr. T (workingstiff6198@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.

ARAFAT'S LAST CHANCE!

It is time to tell him THIS IS IT! Mr. Powell should let Arafat know in no uncertain terms that this is the LAST CEASEFIRE & TRUCE to be offered. YOU EITHER DO SOMETHING THIS TIME THAT LEADS TO A PERMANENT "PEACE" or we will let ISRAEL ROLL OVER YOU! You WILL NOT PUSH ISRAEL INTO THE SEA! YOU WANT A PALESTINE THEN DO SOMETHING OR THERE WILL BE NO PALESTINE!

I do agree though the LAST THING WE NEED TO DO is to tell SYRIA & IRAN TO STAY OUT! Saying that alone will have them sticking their noses into the situation......This man has a bad case of FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE....When he opens it those toes go right in....

-- COWBOY (floridacowrustler@hotmail.com), April 07, 2002.