Scott,

I am not going to "start" with you as you term it. It is not a matter of "winning" or losing anything.  However, as you may not be aware there is an entire world of concepts and ideas out there beyond the conservative perspective that you may wish to consider. I said earlier I do not consider myself either liberal or conservative. In so far as trying to determine whether progress is being made in Iraq, I think I would need something more reliable than the circle of  friends in your church group.

I have already expressed my thoughts on the expansion of the war. I am not going to rehash it again. I do not think it is our obligation to fight to defend interests of others alone. If you think expanding the war and thereby committing us to years more of fighting with little or nothing to show for it is best ...go for it. I personally think it is insane. I do not advocate war as a resolution to a problem unless there is no other alternative.

In so far as your concern for American bodies being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, it is odd that the same concern does not extend to the 2,500 dead in Iraq.

I am not exactly certain what you mean by someone having a D next to his name. I presume that you are talking about that dreaded word "Democrat". Where was the "D" located, next to the 666 tattooed on their foreheads? You know, you seem to think that everyone that disgrees with you is automatically either a Democrate of Liberal. That is not always true. They simply have an idea with which you do not agree. It does not mean that they are wrong...they simply do not agree with your perspective. As most often, I do not. Does that mean that you should not open your mind to consider  it? They may be right.

In so far as who supplies whatever amount of oil to the US, you and old George seem to disagree.You say Canada and Mexico. George says Venezuels provides approximately a third. By the way, the Chavez government is also thought to be considering using an oil embargo against the US if relations between the two countries do not improve The point is that whoever provides it, the U S is still a dependent on foreign oil. I take issue with your view of the impact of an oil embargo initiated by Iran. The price oil hit records highs the week. The stock market index plummetted. The reason cited...tensions between Israel and the terrorists AND... increased tension with Iran and its continued nuclear development. If it continues gasoline is expected to hit $4.00 per gallon by the end of the year. I would therefore have to disagree with your assessment of the impact of an oil embargo imposed by Iran.