Just maybe it's one reason we haven't won the hearts and minds of the majority of the Iraqi people. Certainly the risks are great for a president to travel openly to Iraq but one would assume that risk is inherent when one takes a country to war. Bush has asked to Iraqi people to stand behind him and yet his ass is thousands of miles away. Those people don't have the luxury of secret service agents and the best intelligence service in the world. They have to go out every day facing their possible demise or horrific torture with little or no shielding whatsover.

As much as Bush might have a virtual target on him for his position, those Iraqis have an immense one on them in the form of which sect they belong to. One can be completely innocent in life and action and still be in the crosshairs of a rival faction.

The man doesn't even go on TV and speak directly to the people who's lives he's turned upside down. I think we all know why given his inability to think clearly on his feet and not offend someone in his audience.

How would you feel if someone "liberated" you and was too gutless to appear in your country except for some staged photo op with a fake turkey?

Art