Bush: "...the war is lost..."

Yes, he was quoting his detractors, but it's nice to hear him acknowledge, finally, that we are here, and that there is another viewpoint besides his own.

Bush also said it's important "for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out...before our work is done. We would abandon our Iraqi friends and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word.''

"Our" work? Excuse us, Mr. Bush, but we don't remember signing up for this job. Perhaps you mean YOUR work? And as for abandoning our "Iraqi friends," well, we did that when we invaded their country without cause. In fact, a few million Iraqis who once were our friends - or could have been - are now our sworn, permanent enemies. What "word" are we keeping by continuing to antagonize them? Our continued presence in their country is what's making them feel abandoned!

Bush also said "We know from their [the terrorists'] own communications that they feel a tightening noose - and fear the rise of a democratic Iraq.''

So the continued violent acts are in reaction to a "tightening noose" and fear of democracy? Yeah, I guess when a noose is around your neck you do have a tendency to thrash a bit. So the noose has been tightening now for...let's see...a couple of years? That's a long time to have a noose tightening around your neck! No wonder they fear democracy, if extremely slow death by hanging is what it's all about!