Ohhhhh....**SNAP** !!!

That, my friends, is how you smack down a smug Republican who thinks that riding on his war record is going to put him in the Oval Office in November. :)

I guess BHO is waiting for Al Qaeda to move back to Pakistan so he can bomb them and start world war III. He is so naive. BHO wasn't even in the senate when we went to war with Iraq. It is easy to criticize when you weren't even there! HILLARY 2008!

That was quite a smackdown by Barack.

Popular saying by Mccain. " I will follow Osama Bi laden to the gates of hell!" It is strongly believed he is in Parkistan. Will McCaine follow him to that gate of hell ?

Hold it! Did I read right that Obama says we should continue to strike Al Qaeda in Iraq. We are talking about Iraq, are we not? Does that mean he does not intend to pull all the troops out of Iraq as he has been saying he would?

Al Qaeda is in Iraq because we are. If we pull out, they'll have two options - leave right behind us or stay and face the Shia backlash. I'm betting they leave.

Focus on the head of the snake, which is across the border from eastern Afghanistan.

I wish the Hillary supporters would realize that you can't have your cake and eat it too. On one hand, you say that he's too inexperienced and doesn't have the judgement to be POTUS. On the other hand, you say that Barack wasn't even in the Senate at the time that he had the wisdom in judgement to oppose this misguided war. Don't you see what a counterproductive argument that is. If, even at that time while running for the State Senate office, he had the wisdom to be very vocal against the war, what makes you think that now 6 years later, he doesn't have what it takes. Just something to make you go...hmmmm....

@ Heather...

First of all, Al-Qaeda is already in Pakistan...

Secondly, Hillary was in the Senate in 2002 and voted with John McCain to go to war with Iraq, allowing Al-Qaeda to set up shop there.

I cannot wait until we can stop this Democratic back and forth and move on to the general election.

Obama 2008!

"Once a crusader for offering the nation's roughly 12 million undocumented immigrants a way to get legal status, McCain now says his first priority is fortifying U.S. borders."

We call that a flip flop of epic proportions, who in their right mind would listen to you.

OHB's Point: McCain's Maverick Status ala 2000 has been distinctly compromised by 8 years of supporting GWB's foreign policy debacles. True, BUT

OHB is starting to campaign for November. Problem, he is campaigning like it's November '06. Democrats already trounced Republicans and took control of Congress from GWB's GOP, but 'what have you done lately' is becoming an inceasingly important question. And, "Sent the FBI to investigate whether a MLB star lied to us" might not be a great vote getter in Nov. 08.

I was hoping Obama would pick Mark Warner as a running mate. Still would be a good pick, I think. But today I think I'm more intrigued by the Tony Zinni idea.

Obama/Zinni - nice ring to it, eh?

If Obama can beat Hilliary, he can beat McCain. Those two are one in the same. At least Obama can counter John on something. Hilliary and John's foreign policy aims are simpatico. John's just more blunt about it. What would they debate on the stage... who would take LONGER to get out of Iraq... Hilliary in 30 years, McCain in 100? Obama has the advantage there.

Barak ain't smacked crap. He has said that he would pull ALL American troops out of Iraq. Now there is a caveat. As long as there are Al Queda in Iraq it would be stupid to pull all our troops out. What is that telling you? He isn't going to pull all our troops out. If you thought he was then you thought he was a fool (and likely you voted for a member of your own party), but now the truth is out. Who's the fool now?

This is hilarious. Obama is going to run circles around McCain. He'll never know what hit him.

Don't you just love it! McCain better be careful with that mouth of his. He better concentrate on how he will have enough money to last till Nov. after signing for that Loan of his. Obama '08

Obama....just another naive liberal

Anyone with a functioning brain cell has to come to the conclusion, TODAY, al Qaeda is in Iraq. Not maybe. They are, period! Al Qaeda is also in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well. Period. That's IS what Hillary or Obama or McCain will inherit, period. No maybe. What happened in the past is just that, past. I would have done this or I would have done that is completely irrelevant, this is what you get in November. What does Obama not understand? Speeches will not make al Qaeda go away. Jeez.

Ground control to Major John: the chicken before the egg argument goes to Obama.

Wherever we are making our presence too felt in the Middle East, there is al-Qaeda because there is reason for al-Qaeda. They follow us, not the other way around.

We had cause in Afghanistan that was well supported on many levels. We did not have cause in Iraq, period.

Neither one was or is to date well planned or comprehensive = not successful despite our military's best efforts. That's not the military's fault, either.

There is no way to correct Iraq but to get out with as little damage to the region as possible. After that, we concentrate on where we should have remained.

We need to repair our borg image so that we may reap the benefits of cooperative allies who are willing and others who share this planet who aren't so willing. A twenty first century makeover of "walk softly but carry a many kinds of sticks" needs to make a comeback.

Obama a figment of our imagination

Remember URKEL or is it URKLE?

The US has a lot of protecting to do to keep up it's reputation. Not only Iraq but Iran and N. Korea and I think that will pull political activist to making the best in the nuclear and atomic element threat along the the biological hazardous materials used together will eliminate the human existance so we will not need to vote for our most powerful hegemonic president again. Like the 'Twilight of the United States Hegemonic Empire Rule'.

Lets again look at North Korea.

The History

Korea emerged in 1948 amid the chaos following the end of World War II. Its history is dominated by the concept of "Juche" or self reliance. This philosophy is important extreme when understanding Korea's development. After the Korean War, Kim Jong-II took over as Head of State.

In 1950, the world was coming to terms with the aftermath of World War II, a new conflict broke out at the edge of the Asian continent. The US and its allies were against the USSR, North Korea, and communist China. This conflict is marked with a devastating death toll. At least two million Korean civilians, approximately 1.5 million communist forces, around 30,000 US soldiers, 400,000 South Korean soldiers and 1,000 United Kingdom soldiers are believed to have died.

The war in Korea did not end in 1953. A cease-fire was placed on July 27, 1953, but no peace treaty was ever signed between the opposing countries. A De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) was established, which officially separated Korea into North and South. The zone is 248 kilometers long and approximately four kilometers wide, and its one of the world's heaviest- fortified borders with roughly one million soldiers on each side. Decades of a rigid state controlled system have led to food shortages, caused by natural disasters and economic mismanagement (human rights abuses, torture, public executions, slave labor, forced abortions and infanticides), and a multitude of political prisoners in North Korea.




The Conflict

North Korea, under the leadership of President Kim Jong-II activated a nuclear reactor and expelled United Nations weapons inspectors from its factories. This has led to a threat to East Asia's short and long term security. Since 2002 North Korea has increased its claims to have weapons of mass destruction. A misunderstanding or conflict could result in nuclear war. It is unclear how many nuclear weapons North Korea has but analysts believe that North Korea could produce enough plutonium (Pu) to build approximately one weapon per year. A separate program that enriches uranium (U), raising the isotope electrons, could produce two or more weapons per year.

Tensions increased after a joint training exercise involving the US, Japan, South Korea, and seven other countries as part of a n Anti-proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Because the United Nations made no effort to include North Korea in its peace talks, President Kim Jong-Il declared this an "ultimate war action" and responded by launching a "test" missile from a base just outside of North Korea. Consequently Japan, China and South Korea immediately positioned troops along the DMZ.



The countries and their positions

United States of America

The US seeks a peaceful end to the crisis regarding North Korea's nuclear program in cooperation with North Korea's neighbors who are concerned with the threat posed to regional stability and security. The US goal is complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea's neighbors have joined the United States in supporting a weapons free Korean Peninsula.


Germany

Over the past decades, Germany has been a leading voice in nuclear anti-proliferation. Traditionally an ally with the United States, Germany made global news when it opposed military support for a war in Iraq. Despite that disagreement, Germany is committed to stopping nuclear proliferation and is especially concerned with the links between rogue nations that supply arms to terrorist organizations.

China

China provides significant and energy assistance to North Korea. The country encourages North Korea to continue with the six party talks ( United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and North Korea). China agrees it is in the best interest of the region that North Korea halts its nuclear programs. It disagrees with the unrealistic US position of demanding complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement seeing it is a goal for the future than an issue to be pressed immediately.



Great Britain

The United Kingdom holds the position thatis crucial for regional stability and international security to demand a denuclearized Korean peninsula. Likewise, countries that pose a threat for nuclear proliferation especially to rouge nations or terrorist organizations must be confronted. In 2003, Great Britain joined the United States in a coalition on the war on terror. Britain has supported the US in seeking complete dismantlement.


France

France has appealed to North Korea to refrain from any action that would be counterproductive or provocative, especially those that would complicate the continuation of the six party talks. However, the French consider the North Korean nuclear program a threat to the international community and one of importance for regional powers, along with China and Japan.


Russia

Russia has been a traditional ally of North Korea, and relations recently have improved. Russia wants to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear program, but has asked the US to show "flexibility". The Russians are requesting quiet diplomacy to establish the position on both sides and seek a solution that addresses North Korea's energy and security concerns while allowing it the opportunity to voluntarily give up the nuclear program.



Japan

Japan is particularly concerned that a nuclear North Korea would have ability to launch a missile attack that could reach its shores. Japan aims to normalize relations with North Korea in a manner that contributes to peace and stability of the northeastern Asian region maintaining close relationship with both the US and South Korea.

Iraq

The new Iraqi government is supporting the US in its efforts to dismantle nuclear programs around the world and continue fighting terrorism. Its has a "zero tolerance" policy on nuclear weapons programs. The Iraqis understand the importance of nuclear disarmament, especially after chemical were used on the Kurds in the late 1980s.

Australia

Australia sees this issue as one of the most serious security threats facing Asia- Pacific region, and it sees a nuclearized Korean peninsulas leading to other countries seeking nuclear capabilities. The Australians agree with the ultimate US goal of a halt to nuclear activity in North Korea. Australia is known for its neutrality in many global conflicts. While it has taken a stance on nuclear proliferation Australia does not believe a military solution is in its best interests.



South Korea

South Korea has maintained a position similar to China and agrees that North Korea must give up its nuclear program. Since Korea's divided unto North and South, South Korea has been trying to maintain prestige in the Asian sphere and has become a strong ally to the United States. The South Koreans are will to make a deal on energy and aid in exchange for a voluntary halt to North Korea's weapon program.