I did not infer that you are afraid to voice an opinion any more than Dasshole is afraid to do so. I just wondered if you have any concept of how one looks when they predict doom and gloom for their country and are proved wrong.

I did not say that Iraq and Afghanistan are identical. I said that the rhetoric from the left is identical and just as premature.

I did not mean the sarcastic comment on the state of affairs in Afghanistan for you specifically. I apologize for leaving that immpression and I will assume that you agree that things are better there.

Of course we moderates tolerate ultra liberal and ultra conservative opinions. Sometimes we have doubts that remain private until there is at least a slim chance that expressing those doubts might be helpful. The need of radicals on both sides to be the first on their block to predict disaster never ceases to amaze .

Apoplexy seems to be primarily a disease of the outer fringe.