I become convinced that the majority of Americans want to do the right thing regarding our present dilemma in Iraq. And, this includes labels of moderates, extremists, fundamentalists, conservatives, and liberals.

We would do well to think in the terms of Americans who want to do the right thing. And, there are many. I think there's a hint of that in the latest polls: the president could not have had a worse week; and, yet he goes up in the polls; of course, we are dealing with politics and this has its own peculiar nature. Politicians aren't interested in doing the right thing. We have a very flawed system, but it is what it is.

I don't think that the Bush crowd is very smart. Look at the latest Woodward book(Plan of Attack): Why would they let this guy into their confidences? Why would the president spend all this time with him? It is crazy. I mean, anybody with one eye and half sense should know that he is going to zap them: It is what sells books, They are the (pardon me for labeling) "the liberal eastern establishment".

Bush simply doesn't get it about the media. A guy like Bob Woodward who helped bring down Nixon isn't going to give a fair shake to Bush. Come on!

But, I think the public who cares, "gets it." Bush has made mistakes on Iraq: listened way too much to Rumsfeld, in particular; but I think he's made the country safer. Iraq was a threat, but I believe our timing was off. I've always believed that we need to protect ourselves as best we can and then not worry about it. CN-from e-mail

(We get lots of emails and occasionally one rings so true that we want to share it with others.)