I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it: The most likely reason for having no further attacks in this country since 9-11 is not Bush and Company's competence in preventing terrorist actions but because they have caused more grave and lasting harm to the country than al Qaeda and other enemies could have hoped to achieve in their wildest dreams; why would those enemies want to jeopardize the greatest thing they have going for them with puny terrorist attacks?

It's also a synergestic relationship. 9-11 and the terrorist threat have allowed Bush to pose as a faux hero, and to override the Constitution by playing up the fear card.

But if I'm right, the closer we get to finally seeing Bush depart the greater the likelihood of more attacks. It seems the Republicans at least are aware of this.

Conway also beat his chest and said this: "I don't know about you, but if I'm a Democrat out there, you'd best better hope that something does not happen in this country while this bill lapses."

Republicans like Conway are so eager for a Terrorist attack to happen that you can almost hear them drooling in anticipation over the political gain they imagine they'll be able to squeeze from it."

Another major terrorist attack or two could be the excuse needed for Bush to suspend the Constitution and declare himself dictator. Reluctantly and temporarily, of course, to defend the Constitution from the grave threat of external terrorism. That would be great for the Bushies, and for al Qaeda.

The seemingly illogical behavior toward the FISA bill plays right into this scenario. Scream bloody murder, literally, when the Democrats block the FISA bill even though they had offered an extension that Bush has refused to sign, then claim that the blood is on their hands when the next attack comes. That would prove that the Democrats are either terrorists or terrorist sympathizers, and the only recourse is to suspend the Constitution and put them out of business.

McCain says he worries about bin Laden trying to influence the election. Methinks he's more concerned that it won't happen.

The Bush policies have done more to destroy this country than al Qaeda in its wildest dreams could have imagined accomplishing through the occasional attack. Why would a rational enemy jeopardize that invaluable asset? And since McCain has promised to continue the Bush strategy, why would they not want him elected?

The debacle in Iraq has killed and injured more Americans than 9-11; Iraqi deaths are in the hundreds of thousands. It has become a recruiting poster for al Qaeda and each week consumes more in treasure than the property damage of 9-11. It has gravely weakened a once powerful military super force, now unable to meet any significant threats elsewhere.

They have turned the United States into a pariah among nations, just when cooperation is most urgently needed in order to fight the real terrorist threats.

Not to mention bankrupting the country, turning a $500 billion budget surplus into $500 billion plus deficits each year, a process that even by their own rosy estimates will continue for at least five more years; since 2001 they have tripled the national debt.

Ironically, the Bushies probably have saved us from further attacks, but through their ineptitude, not competence. We are just as vulnerable to terrorist attacks now as on 9-11, in many ways more so.

There's a certain synergy between the Bushies and al Qaeda; they need each other, Bush for the use of fear tactics to increase his power, al Qaeda because the Bushies have been so untentionally helpful. If McCain is elected that synergy will remain.

Bin Laden's surprise announcement in the closing days of the 2004 election was clearly aimed at helping Bush, and it may well have swayed the election. The Democrats should not be surprised when it happens again this year, and need to take all necessary preemptive measures to lessen the impact, maybe even turn it to their advantage.

I can see it now: a ringing endorsement by bin Laden for his fellow Muslim, Barrack Hussein Obama. Or agreeing to take up Hillary Clinton on her secret offer to negotiate. Coupled with heavy criticism of McCain.

Amazingly, reporters who have long covered McCain themselves constantly admit that they accord McCain special, favorable treatment and don't even realize the deep corruption they're acknowledging.

That was the same treatment reporters routinely gave to Ronald Reagan. Reports of his nodding off at meetings, daily naps, frequent incoherence and lapses of memory, allowing underlings to run unchecked, all were blithely dismissed as the mild foibles of a kindly old miscreant and not worthy of extended comment. What they were witnessing and refused to acknowledge because they refused to believe was the onset of his Alzheimer's Disease.