http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspxLast week the National Intelligence Council released an unclassified version of the key judgments of its recent National Intelligence Estimate, “Prospects for Iraq’s Stability: A Challenging Road Ahead.”  It included some tough assessments of theen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49789Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:24:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49789Kenneth HartmannBush-Cheney_Rice will sacrifice anything to stay on "the prize", Iraqi OIL. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49818Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:59:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49818TJ Campbell, MGySgt, USMC, RetThe evidence that this is truly sectarian religious strife is, to me, unconvincing. More logical is the intel that considers the violence to be an attempt by would-be anarchists to create that impression so that Americans will loose heart and withdraw thus allowing them to sieze the government. What disturbs me most is the lack of resolve and persistence of the American people and especially the media and politicians. One thing is for sure, no one in the future will ever accuse this generation of being "the greatest generation." Compared to what Americans sacrificed in other wars the Iraqi campaign has resultred in very modest casualties. More Americans died in the first 5 hours of the battle of Gettysburg than all of the Iraq war yet we are loosing heart so quickly! We are intruding into the Middle East to upset a way of life, not just overthrow a tyrant. Once the ideal of freedom, indivuality, and secularizm takes root the causes of Islamofacism will decrease. It will be along haul but the planet cannot afford a large segment of it's population living in the Middle Ages. The Arab must move into the modern world and adopt the ideals that brought freedom and equality to Japan, Germany, and the former Soviet Union. At the elemental level our struggle is to eliminate the word "jihad" from Islamic thought and to convince the zealots and fanatics to abandon violence. I'm afraid that this will never happen because Americans have lost faith in themselves and are too self-centered and hedonistic to endure the admittedly tough road ahead. Perhaps we're lucky that these attitudes were birthed in the 21st century instead of the mid 19th. IF it were otherwise the North American continent would look like the Balkans and the odds are that the world would be a very much more hostile place. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49844Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:29:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49844Sean, Torrington CTThe outlook was bleak in 2003. Let us see...which will prevail in Iraq? The tribal/sectarian conflicts that go back a thousand years...or the western-imposed nation-state of 'Iraq' that has been arround less than 200 years and only works with a dictator at the helm. If only the people who knew the region had been given a voice by the Bush administration. Oh well. To think that I considered signing up for the Reserves in 2001! If I had done so, I'd be in Iraq right now being forced to fight in an unethical conflict. Talk about personal conflict! http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49870Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:14:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49870Eric OregonThere is hope but we need to make the Sunnis our friends as soon as possible. With Al-Sadr political men being killed and Sunnis are more able and capable of governing Iraq. The incompetence of the Shiites and Al-Maliki proves to be a disaster now is the time to make smart choices and decisions. If the United States gives military training for the legitimate Sunni population in return the Sunnis will produce the number of security forces the Shiites were unable to produce for the security of Baghdad. If we can gain the Sunni trust we can make this war go our way, we give a chance to the Shiite people but their agendas will never be looked at favorable in the Arab world.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49902Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:46:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49902JT, New York, NYHmmm..."Americans will lose heart and withdraw"... You mean withdraw from someplace where we had no business being in the first place? The best way to get clarity is to put the shoe on the other foot...for example, what if the Chinese decided that WE were a treat and wanted our natural resources? Would it be alright for them to invade us? Would we be "terrorists" for fighting back? For crying out loud, people, use your brains!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49904Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:47:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49904S Filutze, IdahoDon't worry we won't have to worry about Iraq for very much longer, since Bush and Cheney are planning on attacking Iran we will be attempting to fight a total middle east melt down, thanks to the two idiots in the White House! Congress and the Senate need to do something ASAP and bold in order to stop these two or those military individuals that have already done two or three or more tours in Iraq will all be recalled to fight the larger war. All the while our borders are not closed or even being monitored sufficiently, our health care is in crisis, Middle class families are fast becoming "poverty families" while CEO's cash in on big pay and bonuses. Bet were going to find out as the years pass exactly how many of those exec's did business in Iraq. We will, I am sorry to say need to reinstate the draft because this President has destroyed our military and all the time telling everyone that the Democrats are "cut and runners" him and Cheney are planning another invasion! Two mad men ruining the greatest country ever and all the while the politicians sit back and do nothing! I am sure if you asked the typical Iraqi on the street, if they could choose between what Bush has brought down on them and what they had previously when Saddam was in power, which they would choose? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49927Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:29:31 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49927Sonny C, Raleigh, NCAs mostly Christian Americans many people cannot or will not accept that Islam requires a certain amount of fundamentalism. We are used to "...if you repent your sins and have faith in Jesus and God you will granted salvation" or "...love your enemy." Islam does grant these rights to "proper" muslims but not to nonbelievers. This Shia/Sunni conflict in Iraq has exacerbated an age old tension within Islam. Shia and Sunni are now regarding each other as infidels in modern times. This CANNOT be corrected with short term military action. If would take a generation of authoritarian rule to disrupt animosity that has come out of the secretarian conflict in Iraq. Eventually Iraq must be split into secretarian countries. In a few years when we fail to end (not just prevent) the feuding we will separate the country. Hopefully, we will be able to successfully distribute the oil fields in a way that all the ethnic groups are satisfied. Also this war has nothing to do with patriotism or democracy. There is no long term direction in Iraq. We are once again caught in a "police" conflict not a true war. We will not receive any benefit from this conflict except that we will accelerate the development of alternate fuel sources because gasoline supplies are too problematic. There is no direction in Iraq, there will never be a secular democracy. Islamic ideals circulate around their religous laws, as our ideals are based upon Christian laws. Both sects, especially Shia believe in following a religious leader (ex. Ayatollah) they will never accept a nation that does not follow the decrees of their main spiritual leader ("True" Imam or Ayatollah). Sunni may adopt a moderate form of Islamic government with more secular non-religous laws, however these two groups forming a lasting stable goverment together is unrealistic.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49954Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:58:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49954RitaPeople will say I have no right to comment on american politics, but unfortunately for us at this time, as you go - so go we. It's too bad that when they were planning this "war on terror" they didn't invite someone who knew a little about history or religion or both, but that - spoiled brat handpuppet that inhabits the W.H. at this time could only see Saddam's pistol on the wall. Saddam may have been a bad dog, but he was their dog(fighting their war with Iran)until he wouldn't roll over and play dead anymore. Anyone who thinks that the Iraqi oil will help prices over here is wacko, the war is over space, space to build a pipeline from the Halliburton refinery on the shores of the Caspian Sea to the wells in northern Iraq so that Cheney and whoever is keeping his seat warm at Halliburton can get richer selling oil to China and they don't give a hoot who, or how many have to die to make it happen. This administration should be standing in the Hague - Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle and Gonzales could go along to defend them as he's done constantly even to the point of screwing over the Constitution(one of the most blessed pieces of legislation ever) and the Geneva Convention, but you know they have to protect their own behinds. We all know that war is big business and isn't that what this administration is about? It's always the bottom line with big business(the irresistible force)but now they're up against(the immovable object)religion). GOOD LUCK!!! http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49965Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:20:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49965Joel M. Proyect, Parksville, New YorkBush took a splinter group of crazies and legitimized them into a huge jihad with this stupid occupation. (This is an occupation, not a war.) While it's too late to undo the damage this obsessed madman has done (tens of thousands of people who justifiably hate Americans), we can stop creating more of it by getting the hell out of Iraq, apologizing and making reparations. People who want to continue and expand the present self-destructive path are masochists who should volunteer their kids. Perhaps the damage our arrogant leaders (and cowardly opposition) created can be undone by the time my infant grandchildren are adults. Our staying in Iraq is doing nothing to quell the violence there. Is it? Are the numbers of Iraqi casualties going down or up? Kucinich is right - get out NOW!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49969Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:27:43 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49969ShaniacTJ Campbell, MGySgt, USMC, Ret, It is a fact that 95% of all violence is caused by sectarian strife. That is directly from the Pentagon. So, If the FACT of that, which is indisputable, does not convince you then you just keep spouting the inane unrelated rhetoric you tried to use in your purely opinion statement above to make some detached non-factually based case.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49971Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:30:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49971Thomas SmithWhile no one may ever confuse this generation with "the greatest generation", no one will ever confuse the ill conceived invasion of Iraq and it's incompetent execution with World War II or the Civil War either. I disagree that the analogy has any validity at all.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49984Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:12:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49984Dr. B. Krishna, las vegas, nevadawhat is amazing to most in the south east asian subcontinent is the suddden interest in islam over the past 6 years..obviously catalysed by the 9/11 attacks. where was all this hue and cry over terrorism when the united states government knowingly backed the creation of the taliban under the auspices of the pakistanis? if one were to look for the real source of all the modern problems of today the finger of blame goes to only one source; Pakistan and the United States unwillingness to deal with a cancerous ally. how can one expect the paki's to deal with the taliban when this organization was bred to be nothing but a terror outfit to create a caliphate in afghanistan? it becomes even more obvious when Pres. mussharaf declares magnanimously that the northwest frontier province is to be dealt with in tribal traditions etc etc.... so what the taliban get a get out of jail free card? the solution remains now as it was 20 years ago eliminate the madrassas in pakistan and supplant them with real educational institutions. schools that promote science and modern thinking as opposed to simply blowing yourself up in the name of islam. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#49995Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:28:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:49995Raymond EdwardsVery simply, the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites has been going on for over 1350 years. There is absolutely nothing our government (President) can do to alter that. Why should American men and women keep dying in a futile attempt to protect Iraqis who clearly have no intention of espousing Democracy? Furthermore, can you imagine what $8,000,000,000 a month could accomplish in our Great Nation? How about contributing to our becoming energy independent? How about providing improvements to education such that our technological corporations will hire Americans citizens instead of Indians, Indonesians and Chinese? How about improving our own domestic safeguards against terrorist infiltration and attack (hardening our borders, protecting our ports)?http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50000Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:36:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50000Rick Rodriguez, Corpus Christi, TXThe country is already in anarchical chaos. As occupiers, we are just adding fuel to the fire and are roundly despised by the warring parties. Everone can see that what we want is a puppet regime that we can pull the strings on. When we finally engage Iran, Syria, and other middle eastern countries to help broker a peace effort we will be able to pull out with some dignity. We need to remove the crutches that are helping to prolong this endless conflict. Same as Israel and the Palestinians. They would settle their differences if we stopped blindly supporting and arming the Zionist state. Everybody wants to live. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50001Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:37:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50001Steve, Rolla, MOIt's a shame, but it's my opinion that Bush and Cheny are guilty of war crimes and should be tried on those charges. The only way this will come to an end is through political means, diplomacy. We as Americans should demand that Bush meet with the leaders of Syria and Iran and bring this to an end. Of course, we have no diplomats in the current administration, only puppets and blind headstrong power hungry liars. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50023Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:52:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50023Ken Hallo Greer, SCI am one who believes that a military nor a political solution will get us on the right track in Iraq. We invaded Iraq without a clear plan to bring about change to a culture that has been fighting each other for more than one thousand years. Pandora's box was opened and the lid removed when we toppled Sadham. It is now obvious that this administration had no clue of what they were doing when they invaded Iraq. The administration had an agenda and used terrorism as a vehicle to accomplish their agenda. We are now in a situation without easy solutions. Their are consequences for each and every possible alternative in Iraq. I believe the only solution to the Iraq problem as well as the war on terror is a religious solution. Please let me make it clear that I am not a bible slinging right wing religious person. I am a spiritual person who finds many religions to be more business than true spiritual enhancement. I believe we in the west must begin to create dialogue with Muslims concerning religion and beliefs. We must create a dialogue that asks people to question the logic of what we are taught. We must begin to ask some basic questions concerning God. We must present the case that our God ( the same God as the Muslims believe in ) believes that killing is wrong and is not God-like. God would not condone the killing of another being. We must ask questions concerning the Muslim God. Does their God condone killing or is killing seen as wrong? I would believe that the Muslim God looks at killing as wrong. This is seen in the pain of each and every Iraqi who's loved one has been slaughtlered. If we are here to honor God and to learn to be more like God then why are we killing our brothers and sisters in the name of God. What I am proposing is not a quick solution but potentially a lasting solution. Unless we can effect change in the minds of these people, the fighting will never end. I am not suggesting that these people must become Christians or Jews or anything but Muslims. I am suggesting that Muslims must begin to look at their faith, question the guidance of their spiritual leaders and listen to the word of God.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50038Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:52:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50038Sharon Parks, Memphis, TNWell this NIE proves one thing that I have maintained about this war since Bush first proposed it: err in haste, repent in leisure. Everybody put your feet up - we'll have a few more years to repent yet.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50042Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:00:25 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50042EdWe have long since past the tipping point in Iraq. We are in a lose/lose situation. We can't leave, to do so lets Iraq spiral quicker to its inevitable conclusion, and the US staying only prolongs the inevitable and puts our troops into a situation they can't win. Bush has dug himself into quite a hole. Why he didn't listen to the commision and try some diplomacy is beyond my comprehension. More troops into Iraq = more dead / injured troops leaving Iraq. The only hope for that country is getting everyone together and offering more reason to stay alive than to blow themselves up. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50057Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:49:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50057AlexG, Irvine,CAI suggest we add a federal constitutional amendment which states that any active abroad military action cannot be funded by national debt. As soon as war starts, everybody (and their dog) (with voting rights) should be levied additional income/profit federal tax. Then any war should become much tougher sell. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50065Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:08:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50065steve nyAxis of evil Iran,Iraq,North Korea,the USA has attacked Iraq for one reason oil.The USA now wants to attack Iran for 2 reasons oil,and to protect Israel.The USA just talks about North Korea 3 reasons 1 no oil,2 no danger to Israel,3 the USA after losing in Viet Nam, and about to lose in Iraq, for sure a loser against China who WILL STICK UP FOR NORTH KOREA.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50113Tue, 06 Feb 2007 05:46:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50113turi gonzales , dixon missouri I am retired from the military. I oppose the war in Iraq. I was in the Persian Gulf War. I have seen enough, and know enough, to know that this is not our war. How Can our country (USA) benefit from this shady debacle? Too much emphasis is placed on this stupid war, and not enough emphasis is placed on our society. I am mad!! I do not agree with Jr. We, the people need to change things! Don't let me tell you how I plan on taking over this country. God Bless America!!! Big G ...and I know that the FBI and/or CIA are monitoring this email/post for the simple fact that they will be looking for traitors. I am not a traitor. I Love my country, just don't mess my life up.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50157Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:01:29 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50157Bill Kokomo INThis is not a war over oil or freedom this is a war over god. These are not Christians we are fighting and as non Christians they have no soul and are no more than dogs to be raped, imprisoned, tortured, or enslaved as we see fit. God will bless GW Bush for his actions as he blessed Isabella of Spain for the inquisition. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50197Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:03:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50197Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IAI think the one thing that is overlooked as to why the American people are going sour over this mess in Iraq is that we were misled with wrong information as to why we should attack them. We can debate over and over as to why we still should have but when a country attacks another without real provocation can be compared to when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The attck on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 was conducted by individuals mostly from Saudi Arabia and from a fascist group of which both their number one and two leaders have not been captured or killed as of yet. So with that information it is right for the American people to say anough is enough. When enlistment standards have been lowered and the enlistment age raised all of which are facts then we do have a serious problem. In Vietnam soldiers were rotated in and out after a year in theatre, today soldiers are kept in theatre close to 18 months if not longer. How long can a human being subjected to the hells of war last before being pushed to the braking point. Now there are reports of Iraqi's dawning friendly uniforms and killing troops. We have followed a failing course of action far too long and the Iraqi people have seen this inaction and we are asked to give a new approach a chance. Heck they had multiple chances to get things right and have not done so, so pull the dang plug. It is obvious that will not have a good option in Iraq because too much hinges on the local people. By the way would you trust someone if after 4 years of carnage that today is going to be different? I really don't think so. Yes Iraq has been around for a short period of time in its current state however the entire region has been fighting since the beginning of time. Who are we to say the way of life you live is just not right and so we will change that for you? Would we be as acceptable to a change in our lifestyle if someone came and said the same thing? We must look at ourselves as the model to be asking these questions. If we think their way of life is wrong then I would suggest that would be the case in many countries throughout the globe. We can not force someone else to change their way of life that would be imperialistic not democratic and I don't mean the party. This is our problem that we created and we must also be realistic that the people may never change as well. Forcing another country to change their way of life would not be in keeping with the way our country was founded upon.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50201Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:05:24 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50201Frank, Omaha, NeIt's not about creating a democracy in the Middle East. It's about making money. Conflict leads to corporations raking it in - banks lend to both sides. Look at which multinational corporations are behind the scenes in Iraq. It's not the US government driving the war. It's CORPORATIONS based in the US, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Japan, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and others... Everyone complaining the "government" is sitting back doing what? Consuming goods from multi-national corporations? Watching "reality" television? Teaching hate? Start the revolution in this country - overthrow the dictators here - remove the top 800 people in the government here - there are no republicans or democrats-only corporations running this country!! Wake up!! Wake up!! Wake up!!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#50205Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:07:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:50205Ryan, BeirutI can't blame just one person for this debacle. I blame you, America and all your ant-like people. You put that madman in office, voted for him AGAIN, and now you're whining about his actions when you knew he'd fumbled before? You are to blame because you won't get rid of him. You just stare at him like a deer in headlights, mystified at his complete lack of respect for you, the constitution, life, and anything else that gets in his way. Not once have you called him to account for his actions. Not once have you even attempted an impeachment. Not once have you even ventured to really look into his financial dealings. No. You left him to do as he pleases, and like a pack of sheep..you just grazed on the scraps (tax reductions) he tossed to you. Now...now he's got his sights on Iran. It apparently wasn't enough to anger 29 million Arabs, but now we need to enrage 76 million Persians. And because we really want to ruin any hope of any semblance of peace, we need to unite the entire Islamic world against us. And for what? ...wait a minute... what do you care? You have yet to put down your Sharper Image catalog and look around. Enjoy your green grass, I'm sure you've earned it with your absolute ignorance.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/05/49773.aspx#460444Sun, 11 Nov 2007 05:30:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:460444AnonymousIt is tiresome trying to number the time we've consumed searching for leather dog collars data.