With allies like US one doesn't need enemy. Saddam only went berserk when US support it. When US doesn't support Saddam, what did he do?

How sad it is to read opinions of Americans calling one another unpatriotic, whether it is the administration,congress,or citizens of both parties. It is obvious to all that our current policies have reduced our standing with our allies and enemies. Instead of defending a losing plan, we need our government and citizens to stop their bickering and really unite to solve the delimma we are in. This would require both parties and the whitehouse to stop all the hyperbole and get to work bringing in all reasonable plans to get us on the road to success; more importantly unite us as one voice. Neither party is right or wrong. It takes all to give and take to make us one. It is true a house divided cannot stand but a united one is unbeatable. Let's work together to be unbeatable. I'm not voicing an opinion on what we should do, because I don't have access to all the facts; I only know that we have to stop being politically motivated and more people oriented. Let's return to a Government for the People and By the People.

Three cheers for congressman Murtha.This is the type of leadership this country is so lacking.And for those of you who don't understand the FACTS,Mr. Murtha's resolution called for a withdrawal "as soon as is practicable". It was the Republican Slime Machine that CHANGED THE WORDING of the resolution to read "immediate withdrawal".

A previous poster claims that if Democrats/liberals had been around in WWII, we would all be speaking German now. He obviously doesn't know his history. Our country under World War II was led by a Democratic President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who pulled out all the stops to make sure we would continue to speak good ol' American.

Why did the Democrats do what the Republicans wanted them to do: vote against the phony withdrawal amendment? Why couldn't they, JUST ONCE, stand up to the Republicans? The Dems should have ALL voted for the phony and hastily drawn Republican bill. Since the average American tv viewer or newspaper reader will never know the Republicans were mocking the Dems, why couldn't the Dems gone on record as being against another American soldier being killed? The Dems outsmarted themselves with the Republicans'help. The majority of Americans want the troops out! Now, the public that doesn't read or understand--only got the news that the Democrats VOTED AGAINST WITHDRAWAL ALSO. The average American only knows what the right wing mainstream media tells them--and the media told them that the Democrats voted AGAINST the troops coming home. Geez---------

To all americans a house divided can not stand. We are strong when we work together. While we divid our nation on the question should we send our children to dy for WMD/Freedom/ or to a country that never attacked us they are dying everyday. We are no longer looked at as a world power but a country that is becoming weak. If more amerians want to let our children dy for what ever the Presidents say fine, but let these same people send their kids too. And a question how does a person get deferment 5 times I didn't think that was possible, and is it available to every american?

"chito for peace"here. back the 7th fleet up to kuwait and load our troops up and bring 'em home. if bush, cheney, delay and whoever else want to stay there and fight, then they can soldier up themselves and their families too and go bring democracy to iraq. bush has always been known to cut and run. isn't that what losing in the oil field is. he cut and ran into politics.

I am led to believe that our nation was hi-jacked by the conservative extreme neo cons when Mr. Bush was elected into office. Invading a country on false Intel. and making up excuses for us ever since to stay the course. Only fools rush in where wise men never go. Bush pushed Congress to invade Iraq. Ever since then we have heard nothing but the spinning of their wheels. It is about time someone in leadership spoke up to get our troops home . I have hope now for our country to get back on tract.

I don't believe whomever Schmidt quoted was calling Murtha a coward. And if they were, why would it not be condisdered the same type of critism that allows some to call President Bush a liar?

The war in Iraq is much like what happens on Wall Street from time to time; it is too big to fail. Knowing this we can not abandon Iraq, but rather need to find a plan for success. There is no doubt we as Americans do not have the stomach for losing and we want our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters to come home from a war that cannot be won. With no longer the threat of WMDs the point of being in Iraq has lost its urgency.

Civil war is a contagious thing, and as Iraq’s troubles increase so does the division in our own country. But before we pull out we have to assure that democracy succeeds and we leave the country united. Any great soldier cares for their troops and if they can help it they try not to go to war and that is precisely what Representative Murtha is saying. Why keep troops in Iraq when their safety can’t be assured and the reason for them being there is no longer clear. Unfortunately, by setting a deadline for our troop withdrawal from Iraq is a recipe for disaster. We as country have maneuvered into a position where we can’t pull out and where Iraq is just too big to let fail. But unlike Wall Street we can’t have the Federal Reserve bail us out.

Stand tall, Rep. Murtha. Pennsylvania supports you.

The distinguished gentleman, Murtha, has every right to voice his concern and suggest a manner in which the U.S. leave Iraq. As Americans we all have the right to speak, however, caution must be taken by those who are elected to lead the country. This Republican is concerned and often embarassed that our "leaders" have taken steps in a direction that has brought negative relations and impressions of America. Al-Jazera should never be given fuel to kindle the fires of those whose beliefs are far removed from the values of Americans.
We are now in a position, in Iraq, that will require us to remain at a heavy cost to our country and our military. What a sad time for us. There is no simple answer - there is no cut and run.

There are decent responsible Republicans in the Congress, and now is the time for them to step up and demand TRUTH. They should take steps to expose this Administration for what it is - fatefully immoral and ethically bankrupt. The Presidnet should stop preaching to America and put his own house in order. For a start Mr President, have the guts to dump the five times deferred and appropriatly named "VICE" President.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DO HAVE A VOICE...IT IS COUNTED ON INDIVIDUAL BALLOTS THAT GAUGE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE...AND THE TIME IS NOT TOO FAR OFF WHEN THE PEOPLE WILL DEMAND A CHANGE FOR TRUE SERVANT-LEADERSHIP, SANITY, HONESTY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

The Democrats need to put up or shut up about Iraq. Those smug little liberals can sure dish it out, but squeal like stuck pigs when they get challenged about crazy talk. Thank goodness they were not around during WWII or we would all be speaking German now.

I think it took great courage for Representative Murtha to make his statment to leave Iraq, especially considering his background. I have never believed there was true justification for this war. I don't believe that we should have gone to war in Iraq in the first place, but I did believe that it was in our best interest to finish this war. I can see now that the best for us is to leave sooner than later. I never thought that the U.S. would be having a debate about the use of torture, let alone the pro-torture camp would be the President and Vice President. It is a sad sad day for America when we are being led by a morally bankrupt un-American president that is not willing to honor America's true values.

I try my best to be respectful of all those who share a passion for what they believe.That is what makes this country great. With all do respect to those who are supportive of President Bush, be honest in your response to the following. What if:
Bill Clinton had failed to respond to over 20 requests regarding Al-Queda from Richard Clarke? What if Bill Clinton had failed to act upon a White House briefing one month before the terrorist attack that was titled Bin Laden poised to attack within the US? What if Bill Clinton landed on an aircraft carrier and boasted "mission accomplished" the end of all major fighting. And, after three years of being attacked we have still not captured Bin Laden. Iraq has become a haven for terrorists, the credibility of the U.S.worldwide has eroded and our nation is divided more than ever. Would you still be supporting Mr. Clinton?

I was asked today if I was ashamed of being an American, I responded with a tone of anger at being questioned about weather I was a true American, my responce was I'm very proud and lucky to be an American but ashamed, very ashamed of my goverment!

What will the Republicans do next? Declare John Murtha, a decorated veteran, a subversive traitor? I'm expecting a group of veterans to come out and declare Murtha's service and valor to be suspicious. The Republicans are masters at turning an issue around on the person who disagrees with them. There is no discussion, no honest dialogue with this administration. It's the Bush way or you're not a patriot. This isn't how my America works.Carol Weis, St. Louis, MO
THANK YOU cAROL .
i THOUGHT that we have freedom of speech, expression in this country. Isn't that democracy???
If these republican's ( yes no capitals ) think war is the answer, why is it that their children nor they are ever in the forefront?.
Uwe Augenreich

Bravery comes from saying what you believe in your heart when it conflicts with what those around you support. Especially when you seem to stand alone. Murtha is both brave and right in my opinion. He knows the landscape and knows when to reap and when to sow. Listen to the man. A kneejerk is just a reflex. Think about the rationale.

I just think that we as Americans are headed for a tremendous fall within the next few years. Reaping the fruits of following this Administration's policies will and is happening. The laws of Karma are real. What we are witnessing now is greed at its height along with an uncontrollable lust for power of those in government. The politics of today are as dumb as it gets. Most of these folks in the U.S. government are out for themselves and their corporate supporters and, as Katrina's FEMA disgrace showed, they are more concerned about themselves, their image and the power they hold in their networks then anything else.

Face it, America's true spirit is dead. It died a while ago. A sickness has taken over the country and everything is becoming perverted. The U.S. VP condones torture publically, religious people are supporting the most immoral Administration in U.S. history, etc. People blur lines of truth and lies, reality and illusion very easy. Double speak, etc.

All I can say is that we're all headed for a rude awakening the coming years. A very rude awakening. After this rude awakening, I can assure that Republicans will be hated and despised in this country and given clear blame for the disgrace they have done to this country.

Heads are going to roll one day in a big, big way. But the sad part is a lot of Americans are going to suffer and lose the shirts off of their backs in the process.

To hell with politics of who you are for or against. Doesn't matter! The bottom line is none of it matters when your retirement savings is lost and the dollar plummets and the country goes down the toilet!! Nothing will matter when it finally begins to affect your life in ways you never imagined! You'll say "to hell with these politicians who created this mess -- every single one of them!"

That's what they did during the Enligthenment of the French Revolution that eventually influenced our own Constitution. Heads rolled and people took the power back into their own hands.

In case you haven't noticed, the rich are just trying to get richer to protect themselves from the upcoming upheaval of society they are preparing for. That's why the Patriot Act is designed to deal with Americans for this upcoming societal chaos they are planning. They want the shirt off of our backs and to centralize power into very few networked rich people's hands. That's the reason they want to take as much money and power from poor and middle class Americans in their budget today.

These men in government are deliberately, deliberately raping the country, looting it and doing it for them and their wealthy friends' benefit. They're criminals and the sad thing is how many Americans support what they are doing because it is basically a free for all in pillaging the poor and the weak and vulnerable that's no more than a game of male conquest to them.

It truly is amazing how quick people are to forget the things of past. If we are truly fighting terrorism, then how come it took a year to find Hussein, but Osama is still running free. You cannot say it was due to money, Hussein had an entire country at his disposal, while Osama is still running around. If this country really cared about stopping terrorism, they would go after the people that have actually committed a terrorist act against the United States. People need to open their eyes and stop viewing arguments based on Republican and Democratic beliefs and view the argument on whether it is right or wrong.

On 9/11 we were attacked by Al Queda - not Iraq or
Saddam Hussein. The majority of the attackers were Saudis yet the Bush Administration cooked the evidence to support attacking Iraq. As a veteran (1967-1972) I didn't support this war then and much less now. Thank God the American people are finally waking up!!

I'll take John Murtha over George Bush ANY DAY. Murtha has experience, credibility, and knows what he's talking about. And he has the courage to stand up for what he truly believes.

Unfortunately, we can no longer believe a word that comes out of George Bush's smirking mouth! He's totally messed up the war in Iraq, ruined the reputation of the US worldwide, used up military resources that we need to defend against REAL enemies, spent the budget surplus built up during the Clinton years, failed in responses to natural disasters, cut social programs for the needy while giving more tax breaks to the rich,...

GWB... What a loser!

God Bless you and hang tough, Mr. Murtha. As a lifelong Marine, I know you won't be cowed by the "alledged" civilian "leadership" of this proud country. Not one of whom, by the way, has ever put on a uniform in defense of the U.S.A. SEMPER FI! and give 'um h...!