Johann:

You are seriously missing the point. You can criticize Bush all you want. The left often needs PEOPLE it can attack because it cannot debate on principle.

The enemy that we face today is faceless and anonymous. Until they strike they are almost always unknown. The only way to defeat terrorism is to create an atmosphere where it cannot thrive.

Terrorism is the deliberate targeting of civilians and non-combatants to create fear and attempt to bring about political change.

State sponsorship of terrorism is refuge, training, weapons, logistical support or intelligence provided by a government to terrorists. It is a fact that Iraq provided some if not all of these to members of al-Qaeda and other Islamic terror groups including Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

Ever since Operation Iraqi Freedom we have seen a change in attitudes in the Middle East. Many leaders have softened their pro-terrorism stance. We are even getting cooperation from regimes that have been previously opposed to dealing with Islamic terror.

If there is one thing that politicians like it is power and watching Saddam Hussein lose his because of terror ties was very influential to leaders in the region.

If terrorists have no state sponsorship it limits their ability to strike effectively. If they have no refuge they cannot plan and train they must hide. If they have no intelligence and logistical support they are at a great disadvantage when it comes evading authorities.

Even the recent terror attacks in London appear to have been carried out by Brits. So it's not a case of foreign nationals sneaking into a country to attack it.

If you look at the big picture, Operation Iraqi Freedom not only freed tens of millions from an opressive and murderous regime it changed the entire landscape of the Middle East.