But thanks for getting the answers started. I don’t expect to write anything on this for a day or two – it’s not a forte of mine – I’m satisfied that they want out and that they will withdraw with caution that I would approve of. I’m satisfied that they don’t support terrorism of any kind and I’m fine with them not having this monolithic focus on any one group – we know that numerous groups all over the world can be responsible for acts of terror.

It is the underlying reasons that give rise to the anger that creates the environment that drives people to join and commit such acts that must be attended to.

Frankly, few people anywhere along the spectrum say a lot about that.

Joe A – please, read Three Cups of Tea.

Both campaigns want out of Iraq because Iraq was a mistake, it had nothing to do with terrorism. The Department of Defense released their report proving that fact last week.

I don’t honestly know what the Clinton campaign has said on fighting terrorism but Obama has said in almost every speech that he will go after the actual terrorists. Remember Osama Bin Laden? Yea the guy who actually attacked us.

Do I believe that Bush created or overblew the threat of terrorism? No. I do believe rather then actually taking real action to do anything about it, he used it as a tool to push his own agenda.

Obama has already said and by the way criticized for it, that he would attack Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan if he had good intelligence and Pakistan would not cooperate. Would he do so in other places, I can only gleam that if he would in Pakistan he would elsewhere as well.

The real issues are discussed every day by both candidates. They are detailed on their web sites as well. Perhaps if you try watching something other then Fox News Channel you may actually hear their positions.

Here are the questions I glean from your comment:

1. I honestly would like to know if they beleive that Fundamentalist Islamic Terrorism is a real issue that we must face

2. [I honestly would like to know...if they beleive that it has been overblown or constructed by the Bush admin.

3. If the latter [what's in #2], are they comfortable saying that we face no real threat from terrorism anymore (if they feel we ever did)?

4. If the former [what's in #1], since they both (Obama more so) seem hell bent on getting out of Iraq, then what should we do about the threat of terrorism?

5. Are they willing to have covert missions to surgically strike at terrorist groups?

So – let’s just get this straight:

1. When you write “they,” you are asking me to tell you what the Clinton campaign has said and what the Obama campaign has said about these things you’ve asked about?

2. If that’s right, are you really implying that you don’t have a clue as to what these campaigns have said on these matters?

3. You do realize the limits of my being able to tell you whether Hillary CLinton feels comfortable about saying anything, right?

That’s some tall order for a little ole blogger like me. I’m sure you will be dissatisfied. But hey – it was my idea.