The allied surge continues and is providing real results. In Kandahar the allies are continuing to clear Taliban fighters from territory they had retaken in recent months, killing scores of fighters and ravaging the leadership.

What I wonder is just how much can be gained from killing Taliban fighters.  Some would argue that there will just be 10 more that are recruited for every one who is killed.  Maybe.

I believe that those who are terrorizing Afghans and fighting to take control of the country have to be killed.  But at the same time, there has to be a dialogue with all parties.  There has to be a diplimatic solution pursued. 

In the end, it will be a mix of power and diplomacy that builds the country.  Either one without the other is doomed.

sharp

U.S., Afghani and Allied troops have dealt a huge blow to Taliban (Al Qaeda) forces in Afghanistan.   A major commander has been killed along with, if my count is right, well over a hundred fighters in three separate conflicts - apparently along the border with Pakistan.

An area of the country was taken back from the Taliban.  You had heard that the Taliban had taken over, depending on the news source, some to most of Afghanistan.  It's clearly important that all these forces are aggressively fighting against the Taliban and are being successful.  For now, the Taliban is in retreat and is wounded.

Wars aren't won in a single battle.  But sometimes they're lost in a single headline.  I'd love to see this trumpeted in our media for the victory that it is.

sharp

I have reached the point where I can't wait for the Bush term to be over.

I understand the anger and frustration of those who have opposed Guantanamo Bay and the invasion of Iraq.  Those who feel we've become the scourge of the planet.

I pray that Iraq will become a successful, free country.  I pray that no more Iraqi's and no more American's will die on that soil.  And I still hold out hope for that success...in no small part because we broke it.

But the terror plot exposed this past week was evidence of continued terror plots.  Whoever becomes President will carry on their shoulders the immense burden of protecting this country.  They'll know that no one will care if a terrorist was given all rights of citizenship when they blow themselves up outside a kindgergarten.  They won't care that our leaders were kind enough to avoid racial profiling when terrorists begin bombing full, peaceful church buildings just like they do the mosques full of Muslims (who aren't dogs, in their opinions). 

At least, those are the nightmares that will keep them up at night.  And everyone will expect them to do it perfectly.  And they will fail, too.  It's inevitable.

sharp

I have seen the mockery of those on both the left and the right on display in recent years (Al Gore created the internet; Bush's 'strategery').  With the recent election success, the left seems emoldened to not only make their case but to mock the message and the messenger on the right. 

I bring all this up partly because of the steady stream of "Bush is stupid" humor.  He's not stupid, as most folks who graduate from Yale with better grades than John Kerry aren't, but it certainly is an easy shot to take.  And even if he were stupid, I would strongly caution anyone against mocking him or Hillary or anyone else as that puts you directly in line to be mocked by God himself.

I have been greatly embarrassed when I have mocked someone and realized what a fool I was to do it - and it's happened right here on this blog.  But the thought that the maker of all things would mock me at the judgment is horrifying.  And avoidable.

Let's treat one another with respect.  As God would have it.

sharp

He said the improvements in Iraq are clear, but they aren't being communicated.  Car bombs and body counts will always catch a reader's eye, so naturally they are the lead story each day.

But with so many Sunni tribes turning on Al Qaeda and the surge locating militants, weapons caches and bomb-making factories, the Iranians and Al Qaeda continue to suffer.

I take Al Zawahiri's taunt of the Democrats plan to surrender asap as a desperate attempt to rally the troops and to push America towards quitting.

I sure hope that's right.

sharp