As I repeat again and again, we are talking two distinct issues here, not one. The first is the "War on Terrorism" as begun from 9/11. Bush has failed. He had the world's sympathies and alliance. He had the Taliban in Afghanistan removed as he pursued bin Laden to the hills on the border of Pakistan. He was going after a known terrorist and the world cheered him on. Then he changed direction.

Issue two: the Neocons had an agenda for changing the Middle East. Perhaps for oil, for power, for strategy, for all of the above, in any case Bush shifted the focus from chasing bin Laden to deposing Iraq. But the Neocons needed a reason and the "War on Terrorism" seemed a likely excuse IF a link between Hussein and al Qaeda could be found, IF Hussein could be seen as a threat to the U.S.. I won't rehash the lies and distortions used by Bush, you've read them and are likely bored by the same-old.

Point being we have two things going on with the Neocons trying desperately to muddle the two together in the publics eye. Don't be confused. Don't be fooled. Bush and the Neocons have proven themselves incapable of dealing with either issue. And sadly we are in a "War on Terrorism" and we are in Iraq. What we need now is a leader who can see beyond mere bully tactics and can use diplomacy. It may be Kerry ; it's certainly not Bush.