Hamas founder killed

[Beestie]

First factor you're missing is popular support.

True. We had popular support. Lots of it. Until we actually went after the perpetrators - then it dried up faster than dew in the desert.

Confronting our enemies is never something that will garner popular support (I assume you mean global support and not support within our borders). However, I still agree with Bush that we need to take the fight to them instead of waiting for them to hit us again. The best defense is still a good offense, imho.

But, having said that and in the interest of clarifying my position, I do not include the Iraq invasion as related to Sep 11, Al Queda or the war on terrorism (although I did at first - call me a sucker).

So, what's the answer? Who the hell knows? All we can do is fight to protect ourselves. I will stick to my guns that we need to be offensive and not defensive. While Al Queda may act like it has nothing to lose and will fight to the death for ever and ever, history has shown that this strategy will not last. If we continue to track them down and kill them, sooner or later they will give up.

Just take the latest backtrack from Hamas. Yesterday, it was "Death to America!" Well, not 24 hours later, it looks like they are backtracking on that position:

Hamas Says It Will Target Sharon, Not U.S.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The new Hamas leader in Gaza said on Wednesday the group had no plans to attack American targets, pulling back from retaliatory threats by the group's armed wing after Israel's assassination of the Hamas founder....

Here's a link to the whole story. But I get the feeling that all the ass-kicking we've done lately led them to reconsider. Had we responded to our lack of popular support by cowering in the corner begging for mercy, I dare say there would be a different outcome.

Bottom line for me: if its war they want, its war they'll get (Al Queda or whoever). But it will be war on our terms and on their turf. And yes, we are prepared to bleed if necessary. History has borne that out, too.