Changes for America 3

The Liberal 'Wants' list:

1. Green Energy
2. Stimulus package
3. Small, high mileage cars
4. Jobs
5. Get out of Iraq
6. Get Ben Laden
7. Close Gitmo
8. Impeach Blagojevich
9. Gay Marriages
10. Unfettered abortions
11. Higher taxes for the rich
12. Open borders
13. Amnesty for the undocumented in this country
14. Degrade the values of morality (right and wrong)
15. Socialized medicine
16. More money for a broken school system

This is the third in this series. This third article includes items 5,6, and 7. These 3 topics represent an area that I agree with more than I oppose.
My Comments on the 'List' Article 3

Get out of Iraq: Believe me; I am four-square in favor of leaving Iraq. The only hurdle that I see is the making sure that the fledgling government can survive. Should that Government fail, then we have poured both our blood and treasure down a sinkhole. This latest agreement struck between our two Governments is supposed to address that concern.

It took longer than what should have been necessary to get to this point, but in the long run, I think it is safe to say that it is a good thing to have another ally in the Middle East other than Israel. I have documented my opposition to the way Bush has handled the occupation of Iraq, but with a favorable outcome that leaves Iraq as an ally in the Middle East, the U.S. has improved is position over there. -- Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are not enemies, but I would not go so far as to call them allies. Ever since Jimmy Carter sold the Shah of Iran down the river, Iran has not been a friendly nation. Our military presence in Iraq serves to blunt at least some of their ambitions. But Iran is feeling froggy, and will probably try their muscular military out on Israel in the near future. Iran has a theocratic system and they rule with a strong hand. They would not worry about any consequences from pouncing on Israel. It is hard to gauge people who think that dying is good because it serves Allah, and makes them martyrs, -- a dangerous combination.

Get Ben Laden: Osama Ben Laden has been a thorn in our sides for years now. Ever since the 80's we have recognized his potential for stirring up trouble. But he has eluded three Presidents. Now, with Obama's presidency, comes yet another President promising to get Ben Laden. Personally, my thought is that he is not alive, but time will tell. It may take war with Pakistan to get to the bottom of the mystery. Ben Laden's story is only a part of the picture. We still haven't captured Mullah Omar, the titular head of the Taliban, nor Ayman al-Zawahiri, the assumed top Al Qaeda leader. Dealing justice to those who have so far escaped will help the psyche of Americans as well as land a blow against the terrorists. But, are they worth a war with Pakistan?

Close Gitmo: Personally, I don't see the relevance of closing Gitmo to anything. The terrorists that are kept there are doing well and gaining weight. We don't need them running loose in America stirring up trouble, and their countries of origin don't want them either. Other than a handful of lawyers who see the potential for a lot of money in their trials, who else is really interested or even benefits from their release or imprisonment? Do we spend more of our treasure just to get a conviction and sentence for these foreign combatants? Where do we send them even with a conviction? They have the skills to corrupt the prisoners already held in our prisons. Do we really need the potential problems that these dedicated Jihadists can stir up? My vote is to leave them in Gitmo until they croak. (With a little help, that could be sooner rather than later.)

Look for volume 4,

Cheers,

-Robert-