Christopher1988 wrote: I like this article, but it keeps sticking in my head...She's quoted as saying: "And we will once again be proud to be Americans." She's really saying she (and implying we)aren't proud to be Americans?-- Christopher1988.

I don't mean to be rude, but, you really must not travel internationally much; you should really get out more. I just returned from three weeks in Europe and the Mediterranean...I go to Europe three times a year...and have noticed a huge upturn in anti-Americanism from France to Britain to Spain to Italy to Germany to Ibiza, Corsica and Sardinia. (Those last three vacation islands have always been enthusiastic about American visitors.)

Since Bush "took" office, my visits overseas have inevitably been filled with defenses of our alleged foreign policy, war in Iraq and America's general jingoistic and arrogant attitude toward the world. Most of Dubya's policies are indefensible; the image of America HAS been damaged by him and his coterie of clowns.

I've been ashamed to be an American at those times; I know exactly what Hillary means by that statement. Travel more and you will understand, too.

Your continuing arrogance, jingoism and ignorance, as expressed by your "my country, right or wrong" mantra, is exactly what is WRONG with your "argument". You ignore facts...much like the current denizen of the White House.

George W. Bush waves the flag, regurgitates blind "patriotic" paliatives and challenges anyone who doesn't buy into his bastardized nightmare of "Americanity" by calling them "unpatriotic" at best and "traitors" at worst. That's bloviation straight from the pink and porky lips of Karl Rove: no thank you!

FYI, my ancestry includes Jamestowne founders in 1607, "Mayflower" passengers in 1620 and military who have served this country from when it was an English colony to American patriots and officers through the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, my great-grandfather in WWI, my grandfather WWII and Korea, my dad in Vietnam and my service as a US Naval officer during Desert Storm. My family and I are about as "American" as it gets...as many others are. So, how about dropping this "un-American" crap you're peddling because someone disagrees with your blind fealty to a failed administration, OK?

My statement stands: I am ashamed of being an American when the President of the country soils this country...exactly as Bush has. Period.

Our troops in Iraq did exactly what they were tasked with doing: they brought down Saddam Hussein's military. Period. End of story. Job well-done. Hoo!! Rah!! We're all very proud.

The civilians, however, failed our troops and our country by turning a military mission into a no-win situation as referees in a civil/religious war. Bush & Company had no clue about the follow-up and follow-on that eventually created the Iraqi debacle that we have today, even though many knowledgeable people TOLD THEM what would happen with not enough troops or a comprehensive and cohesive post-battle plan.

A caveat, though: our troops should never have even been in Iraq in the FIRST place! Bush lied about WMD, Al Queda in Iraq, et al, and was determined to attack that country no matter what. Our troops are now suffering the disastrous consequences of a failed presidency. Had Bush stayed the course in Afghanistan...where Bin Ladin and Al Queda actually WERE and ARE...I'd probably be more supportive of his foreign policy overall.

The Iraq invasion, however, was the SECOND serious error of his presidency; the FIRST and WORST error Mr. Bush made was to allow 9/11 to happen at all by ignoring solid and specific intelligence estimates less than a month before the attack.

Even worse, he continues to compound the felonies of his alleged foreign-policy by allowing his Keystone Kops group of advisors to meddle, muddle and dither on Iran, North Korea, Russia and border security issues.

As I recall, George Bush's approval ratings were in the toilet by August, 2001. That's when he was on his month-long vacation at the "ranch" in Crawford, TX. That's also the month when he poo-poohed the intelligence presented to him at the ranch that stated, in so many words, "Bin Laden Ready To Strike/Planes Flown Into Buildings The Method."

The resulting 9/11 attack gave Bush the opportunity to be seen as "great leader"; he continues to wallow in 9/11 hubris to this day. Mr. Blumenthal, in this article, makes that point rather saliently. Bush has nothing else.

I also recall that Dubya said he would NOT use 9/11 as a campaign tactic, tool or totem; when the 2004 election cycle rolled around...he lied. 9/11 was and is the sole raison d'etre for his being.

Now, to hear Dubya lobby for even MORE troops for Iraq when the majority of sane Americans wants FEWER there, we are reminded again that this maladministration is, indeed, a one-trick pony. 9/11 is that trick; he has nothing else.