Last first. How can your opinion of Condi be so invalidated by her being a part of the administration?. Perhaps she knows much that we don't.
It's easy to see the errors made by others in action. Heck just watching someone bowl makes the spectator an pro'. You can see everything the person did wrong. However, stepping up to have a go at it erases all the critique data and one makes the same mistakes.
It seems we all have to use a personna for the dialogue on the site. Some of those personna are delibrately designed to be offensive. Some are just naturally offensive, and some, the few, are without a facade. I admit to being a bit nasty when I'm targeted by someone who plays the 'insult your intelligence game.' I'm easy. Fish on, and so forth. However, I have enjoyed this dialoge with you. I cannot always find the right words to convey my ideas on a given subject, but that's the human condition. Most wars and other problems are based on a misunderstanding.
I agree that this country is founded on the concept of personal freedom of both thought and action. But there are some fundamental disagreements in what the difference between 'what is an action or conduct' and what is say 'freedom of speech' A while back some court judge ruled that burning the American flag was just an expression of First Amendment rights. BS. Burning our flag is a form of unacceptable conduct. And the consequences should be costly and painful for the perp. Just an example. Sorry for the digression.
I believe that the Islamic Fundamentalists hate us just 'cause we are not worshipping Allah in their prescribed manner. They kill, what I call their own, for the same reasons. They are a murderous cult and shoulb be land fill irregardless of their numbers. Saudis beware.
I also believe that many of the 'insurgents' in Iraq are the minions of both Syria, Iran and a lot of wannabe martyrs. There is no way, in my opinion, to woo these folks into pals by changing our behaviour. If we pull out before the task at hand is finished, I believe they will just have a easier time of hitting us at home. The conflict between East and West, if you will, has gone one for centurys and I see no immediate solution for the dichotomy. There are parts of the Muslim world that would be happily left alone to pursue life, liberty, and... Too bad we cannot get them all into rabid consumerism.
I cannot even begin to list the things I disagree with about this administration, however, I believe open and raucous protests in the streets aid and abet the enemies of my country.