That’s right, Frank.

These are thousands of Muslims who are shown demonstrating their anger and hatred for the United States-led attack on the al Qaeda and the harboring Taliban -- but of course televised from nations with millions of Muslims. Uh-huh. There are literally millions of Muslims in these same countries who simply go on about there daily lives, attempting to remain separate from the whole thing. These are the silent allies against the al Qaeda. These are the people who, like any educated, sane person, would avoid a violet demonstration, mainly because they know it will only result in injury and incarceration, with little to nothing resolved in favor of the shouted cause.

And the demonstrators we see being aired are what attract the media. This brings them viewers and readers. This is the heart of the international ratings game. And this is what sways people away from what is right. This will be one of our many enemies in this, and any other, war. The media, doggedly going after dead-end that story about the little girl who the al Qaeda insist was blown apart by an American smart-bomb, even though the shrapnel recovered from her body is clearly that of outdated Soviet manufacture. We're the bad guys. We're supposed to be. We’re the authority figure in the elementary school of the world. We’ve got the big guns, and we’re going after an underdog, never minding the fact that the underdog we’re whipping is a rabid pit bull that's been squeezing the life blood out of a nation, and all the while openly attacking other nations, killing innocent bystanders (including fellow Muslims) for the simple purpose of keeping their warped, twisted, murdering cause in the headlines.

But, violent as they are, they remain the minority. These are the squeaky wheels of the global society.

Choice 1:
Squeaky wheel needs to be greased. We can do that. We've done it before.

Problem: Giving the wheel what it wants (i.e., grease) results in new squeaky wheels popping up demanding equality, which leads to further inequality and a very squeaky (violent) planet.

Choice 2:
Squeaky wheel needs to be ignored.

Problem: We've shown we can ignore the squeaks -- but with devastating results.

Choice 3:
Squeaky wheel needs to be removed.

Problem: Genocide leaves us with an awkward vehicle.

Choice 3:
Squeaky wheel needs to be repaired/replaced. Interesting possibilities.

Problem: It's expensive, time consuming, and very demanding, requiring more than a dual-term administration can offer -- and humans have such limited attention spans.

We need to be cautious in our battles, and we need to be cautious in our overseas relations. I think that's what we're doing now, so we’re most likely starting out on the right path.

But we also need a determination that will see this war to a proper, just, and complete closure. That’s the chore. That’s where global sacrifice comes to play. That’s where multiple administrations will need to work in tandem, never losing sight of the final, most important goal we have ever reached for...

Global Peace.

Dan