Ack Ack, this is the problem I am referring to. You seem to be arguing that if we got Osama, we could all go home and everything would be right with the world. It wouldn't. Some other crackpot will simply take his place. That is why you need to "change the culture", so people like Osama will be fringe characters and not heros in that part of the world.
War on Terrorism. Not war on Al-Quaeda. Big difference.
Iraq's support of terrorism is well established, including payments made to families of suicide bombers, training camps, etc. They were by no means the largest player in this regard, but they were a player. They were also an "easy target" to get a foot in the door. If things had gone "well" in Iraq, I am convinced we would be in either Tehran or Damascus by now. And don't think that point isn't lost on those countries -- why do you think they are actively encouraging and aiding their people to infiltrate into Iraq and join the so-called insurgency? They are trying to tie us down, and unfortunately doing a good job of it.
Again, change the regimes that sponsor terrorism, change the culture that creates terrorism, and eventually terrorism dries up. That is the overriding goal, and has been stated as such, despite so many people trying to muddy the water over that fact.
Unfortunately it is easy for people to lose sight of the goal -- too many self-serving politicians trying to make political hay rather than see the big picture, and a doting press that slavishly repeats their talking points. And a president who unfortunately may have the right idea (in my opinion), but has done a very poor job communicating that idea and keeping it on the forefront of people's minds.
