Al Qaeda in Iraq?

Yes, and by our design.

A recent exchange between Senators McCain and Obama demonstrates how frightfully non-strategic the thinking of Illinois' junior senator. When McCain, while campaigning "informed" Obama that there were in fact Al Qaeda in Iraq at present, Obama responded, also while campaigning that they were not there until the U.S. invaded and drew them to Iraq. Point taken.

But Obama's point exposed his naivete' about what he himself said. One only needs to hearken back to the early boxing days of Cassius Clay, soon to become Mohammad Ali, and remember his "rope a dope" strategy. In boxing, the ropes are a trap. You cannot allow yourself to be backed into them or you'll be pummeled with no escape. Except of course for the "Greatest."

Ali would take punches, lower his hands, appear hurt, back into the ropes, and lure his next victim into his defeat. They would hit Ali, but he would still dance and float and never take a serious blow. When his opponent would begin to tire Ali would come out of the ropes in a flurry and finish off the fight and his hapless opponent.

As it is in Iraq. I have no secret or insider information on whether Al Qaeda was in Iraq before we opened a battle front there in the Global War On Terror, but I understand there are Al Qaeda there now. Good. We have lured them there, and we can hunt them down and kill them one by one.

Every day that we keep the GWOT battle fronts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other strategic locales on other continents reduces our need or the possibility of fighting them here. It cannot be lost on us that this Nation has not had another major attack since 9/11/01. Credit President Bush, Secretary Rice, the courage of those in the Congress who understand what is at stake, and of course our fighting men and women.

Our very safety and liberty depends on keeping Al Qaeda on the run, and yes, in Iraq.