What Clinton did and didn’t do regarding bin Laden was, like everything else he did, motivated by political expediency. He recognized the threat and did what he felt was what the American people at the time- or their money as is actually the case- would tolerate and no more. That’s what politicians do, and what Obama’s doing now. The Bushevik junta flouted the desire of what became a majority of the people on many matters, but when viewed from the standpoint of money he did what he was paid to do.

I’ll consider defending Obama’s “weakness” when you can tell me what it is and I agree. I think Obama’s been weak on healthcare, FISA etc. What you think is weak- that he doesn’t just want to go and nuke everyone you don’t like- hey, I agree with him and think you are full of shit on this.

The bottom line is, we strongly disagree on this. You want us to be the world’s cop and force our views on everyone who does not agree with them at gunpoint. And you think everyone who disagrees likes dictators and “hates America”. To be perfectly stereotypical, that’s Rush talking and I disagree on practical as well as philosophical grounds. There is no-one to hand Iraq and Afghanistan to, is there? We achieved our originally stated, albeit bogus, goals in Iraq, and al Qaeda has moved on out of Afghanistan. The Taliban is native and reflective of the local culture there, and trying to change this militarily is simply not possible, and is a waste of our soldiers’ lives and our nation’s money and reputation.

“So we have to ask dictators and terrorists if we can come over and stop their brutal polices?”

No- we set up or back US friendly dictators, like Reagan did Hussein because he was at war with our enemy Iran, and give them money and arms to do it. This is a matter of historical record, and while you may not know it everyone in the Middle East does.

“Racist much? You need to get you head out of your rear end. Race had nothing to do with these wars. The death of thousands of Americans innitiated by Muslim terrorists at 9/11 started this. After all the attacks we had enough and went over there to kick there terrorist butts. The fact that you defend these monsters questions what ever intelligence you think you have.”

No- you are. You equate “Muslim” with “terrorist” here without bothering to distinguish which Muslims, or where they came from. They’re not cracker white and they’re Muslims- you don’t know anything more about them than that- and they know it. You claim of being sympathetic to the oppressed over there is a complete sham, and they know that too. And your claim that I “defend these monsters” is Rush talking once again. I’ve traveled and I recognize that 95% of the human race just wants food, shelter and love, and is perfectly content to live and let live. The other 5% tend to be monsters, and these monsters tend to be True Believers who believe that their own power = righteousness, and their right to afflict others is a mandate from God, or Allah. Or, in your case, “America.”

If I had my druthers we wouldn’t even be in the Middle East. The leaders there are virtually all despots, and their replacements will be as well. To acknowledge that we cannot change this is not a defense for it. And while I feel sorry for the general population change will come there from the ground up when the people demand it and not before. We cannot impose it, and it is not in our best interest to try and do so.

Bring back the draft. Award winning and veteran journalist Bill Moyers just suggested just that on his weekly show, the Bill Moyers Journal. Who wants to serve? We have two wars, not enough troops and extremely tired, emotionally drained military families. The suicide rate is record high.

Support our troops, appreciate our men and women in uniform, waive the flag, and show your appreciation. Sign up and help them out. Don't offer feeble excuses. We are tough. We are the best trained military in the world. We are invincible. We are Americans. We are patriots.

Well, at least the less than 1% of Americans who serve are. Nevertheless, I am an American and by association I am a patriot. I support the troops. I work every day. I pay taxes. I do my part. They do theirs. This is the land of the free, home of the brave.

How dare he ask me to serve? This is a free market, individualistic, capitalistic society. I serve only if I want to. I still have my job. The recession hasn't affected me. My family needs me at home. We tried the draft once and it didn't work. Remember the protests in the 60s? Who wants to live through that again?

Surely, our most vocal leaders who support preemptive and escalating war, and then condemn all critics, served their country in its time of need when they were eligible. When our country needed service and sacrifice to protect us from evil forces abroad they absolutely volunteered their time.

Well, just not in the military. There are many ways to "serve".

Karl Rove served, just not in the military. Newt Gingrich served, just not in the military. Dick Cheney served, just not in the military. Bill O'Reilly served, just not in the military. Rush Limbaugh served, just not in the military. Bill Kristol served, just not in the military. Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Dick Morris served, just not in the military. Fred Thompson, Dick Armey, Tom Delay, Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott also served, just not in the military. They needed to stay at home for other, more vital obligations.

Just think, if deferments weren't offered, where would many of these great leaders be? This truly is a great country.

As we reflect on Veterans Day and thank the vets for such sacrifice let us not forget the people who stay at home and not only support our troops, but use our troops, because they need recognition too.