Sickening

Why would he lie and tell us it is in our hands? Because he knows that we will never agree. He sees the rift between us right now and is exploiting it. The more we argue among ourselves the less resources we have to argue with him. He lives longer and we tear EACH OTHER apart... he doesn't need to do a thing... it's working.

To a certain extent, the logic of reprisal is irresistible. Who can sit quietly while someone repeatedly hits his face, even if he knows the attacker only wants him to strike back? Ignoring one blow just invites the next

However, we need not respond with overwhelming force that kills the innocent and guilty alike. It is important that we husband and cultivate the moral capital that an attack will give us, not spend it all (and then some) in an over-reaching reprisal. This was the mistake Bush made in Iraq. The world was on our side -- yes, even France -- when we brought down the Taliban. If we had captured Bin Laden in Tora Bora and declared ourselves satisfied, we could have gained stature, even in much of the Islamic world.

But Al Qaeda is a movement, not the work of one man or even a small inner circle. Its ideas and strategies are widely distributed. If Bin Laden's sword falls, someone will pick it up.

To a certain extent, the logic of reprisal is irresistible. Who can sit quietly while someone repeatedly hits his face, even if he knows the attacker only wants him to strike back? Ignoring one blow just invites the next

However, we need not respond with overwhelming force that kills the innocent and guilty alike. It is important that we husband and cultivate the moral capital that an attack will give us, not spend it all (and then some) in an over-reaching reprisal. This was the mistake Bush made in Iraq. The world was on our side -- yes, even France -- when we brought down the Taliban. If we had captured (Insert name of new leader) in Tora Bora and declared ourselves satisfied, we could have gained stature, even in much of the Islamic world.

It seems to me that a free Muslim world, one not manipulated by a terrorist to gain support for his own cause, is the way to end terrorism.

Question 1: What is the first and biggest obstacle between you and victory?

The first and biggest obstacle to your victory is that the vast majority of the people who sympathize with your issue are not violent extremists. They may agree with you in principle. They may even sound like violent extremists late at night over their beverage of choice. But when the hammer comes down, they won't be there. There are weeds in the garden and final exams coming up and deadlines at the office. Good luck with that car bombing. Call me next time, maybe things will have settled down by then.

Most people, most of the time, just want to get along. They'll accept a little inconvenience, ignore a few insults, and smile at people they hate if it allows them to get on with their lives. Most people on both sides of your issue just wish the issue would go away. If you're not careful, those apathetic majorities will get together and craft a compromise. And where's your revolution then?

The author lays out this doom and gloom story that talks in circles... do nothing, get hit... do to much, we are bankrupting our country... do just enough someone else "picks up the sword" and we start all over again. He is so blinded by his partisan rage that he can't even see the answer in his VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH.

If muslims are free to worship as they want, shop as they want, vote as they want, work as they want, rasie their kids as they want... why would they even bother with a lunatic like Bin Laden? Again your article states it best:

And where's your revolution then?

If muslims are free to worship as they want, shop as they want, vote as they want, work as they want, rasie their kids as they want... why would they even bother with a lunatic like Bin Laden?