The more obvious political statement is that action by the Sinclair Broadcast Group to censor to Koppel broadcast.

No argument there, but at least they weren't lying about not being political.

They refuse to recognize the political value of a truly international reconstruction effort.

This persistent fantasy that somehow Iraq would be going just swell if only France or the U.N. were deeply involved (and that's what the code word "international" must mean, since obviously "international" as currently defined excludes the nations working with us now) still puzzles me.

What exactly would change if 50,000 Frenchmen suddenly showed up?

If the sole intent is to make sure more of the body bags are French, I suppose that's better than nothing, but if the intent is to ensure that the insurgents are defeated and that Iraq has a chance at freedom, where is the magic? I never understood this, and many liberals, including Kerry, cling to the mantra of "internationalizing" Iraq like some kind of rabbit's foot.

I think the sooner liberals get past that concept, and on to something more plausible, the better off everyone will be.