From: dahoov2@cox.net   
      
   >I support the troops, but not the war.  Obama is saying "get out now".   
   >McCain is saying we'll stay there for the duration.  How much longer   
   >the war will last or how long the troops will be there is not the   
   >problem.  We need to be looking at ways to make Iraqi people stand up   
   >and defend themselves and decide whether they want freedom.  We need   
   >to stop holding their hand.  Regardless, today's news that there is a   
   >4-year plan for removing the troops is just going to put a feather in   
   >whoever is elected.  Since the troops will supposedly return during   
   >their term, they will surprisingly take credit for it as being their   
   >plan all along.   
      
   Here's the problem though Mike (I hate to say, I have to agree with   
   McCain on this one)... we HAVE to stay there.  It's not about holding   
   the Iraqi's hands.  But remember too we PUT THEM in this predicament   
   (unrest and bombed out areas etc).  So we have a moral obligation to   
   get it put back in full.  That aside, even if you don't buy that,   
   think for a minute... what would happen to the entire region if the US   
   wasn't there as a stablizer?  You know in a second Iran and other   
   areas would all be crossing borders etc.  It would dramatically   
   backslide.  It's our might (or perceived might from past) that has   
   made those other countries think before leaping.  And now that there   
   is some income coming to the Iraqi's, the others want to spoil that   
   much like the Russia/Georgia thing.  I think to leave is detrimental.   
   HOWEVER, we have too many there, the Iraqis's need to be more   
   self-sufficient and we need to come up with some ways of containing   
   the little fractions in the hills.  Why don't we go back to the old   
   days where we sent in CIA assassins?  Knock off the heads of the big   
   guys and as they fracture, then sweep in with our surge.  it'd been a   
   lot more quick I think.   
      
   >This has been on my mind for months now.  Who the candidate's running   
   >mates are going to be is going to determine a lot of how I may vote   
   >because THAT person is going to be the President.  To be honest, I'm   
   >afraid that if Obama is elected, some close-minded racist with a gun   
   >will end his career.  If McCain is elected, his health/age will most   
   >likely determine the length of his career.  Either way, I feel that   
   >the VP is the one that is going to be leading the country by the end   
   >of the term.   
      
   I sort of agree with you here.  Screw the President.  There are only a   
   couple duties the President can do without an act of congress.  Think   
   about it... you should be VERY VERY worried if Barack becomes   
   President.  He said in a magazine article (Ladies Home Journal,   
   September issue this year - they pre date them I guess) that he never   
   makes a decision (pesonal, professional or political) without   
   consulting his wife!  And she's radical ... and is warped in her   
   thinking.  What you all need to be voting for is who will pick the   
   best cabinet and won't listen to their friggin' crazy wives, preachers   
   etc!  The cabinet will decide war strategy, help pick your justices   
   (vet them) etc.  And those judges.... they will make laws that affect   
   EVERYONE.  So when you vote for president, don't listen to them.   
   Listen to who they'll pick for those lifetimes robes.... and who'll be   
   attorney general or Secretary of State... all those things.  It's   
   Important!  And fear Obama; he has advisors that are whack jobs (or   
   had; he's not distance himself from the controversial Reverand Wright   
   and that other nut job whose name escapes me. ).  McCain's problem is   
   he's has the worst quality Bush possesses:  the "stay the course no   
   matter what" quality.  (sound of cussing going on here). Ugh; it   
   sounded all so good in the beginning didn't it?  A white old man, a   
   black man and a woman... great stuff.  NOT   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)