1 The problem with that kind of argument is this: Many people figure that the probability of a prescription drugs them affecting them is much higher than the probability of anyone they know getting hurt or killed in the next 9/11. So they don't care if the US loses the war in the long run because they want their drugs in the short run. Domestic socialism has much more appeal than vague, abstract violence abroad. "Gimme government goodies" is the mentality of too many Americans.

2 "a prescription drugs them" should read "a prescription drugs plan." Another problem is that many people (and I am not talking about Leftist fanatics) probably don't see what the point of winning is. So what if the US wins against al-Whoever in Ira-q-or-n? What's that got to do with ME? Hawks sense an existential threat looming toward the US. Doves don't. They don't perceive Islamists as being the equals of the Third Reich or the Japanese Empire. I would say that the Islamists are weaker - and in some ways worse. If Islamist air forces and navies were blasting apart the East Coast, you can bet that all but the most devoted pacifists would become hawks overnight. Until then (that is, almost certainly never), people will think: a Nick Berg here, somebody else there, what's the big deal? Three thousand deaths weren't enough for them.

3 I think you're right, Amritas...the threat is too intangible for many people. And here's what's funny: many people on the left talk continuously about how "intelligent" they are. But what *is* intelligence, if not the ability to perceive and act on things that can be perceived only indirectly, and to identify trends before they hit you in the face?

4 David, By that definition of "intelligence," extreme Leftists would still think they are smart since they are "catching on" to the Nazification of America that eludes me for some reason. While they see the Fourth Reich coming (if it isn't already here), I just utter "duhhhh" as I vote for Bush.

5 Time to reread the Constitution. The Federal Government's main job is to protect the people. Let Merck and Pfizer take care of stem cell research.