YOUR COMMENTS

Paul of Candia,
I'm impressed with one thing about your post, and that's the willingness to admit that you would rather have a decision made, right or wrong, than to have the president actually weigh the options of an extremely complex, intertwined political and military situation.

I'm not even sure what point you are trying to make with your "facts", as if every modern president hasn't had photo ops, golf games, or engaged in nepotism.
Didn't junior start two invasions while simultaneously setting the record for the most time off taken by any president ?

Regardless, you should try to be less reactionary. Just because some of us don't bash the president in knee-jerk fashion doesn't make us Obama-ites.
- Herb C., Concord

Paul, would that be just like the "George W. Bush Mission Accomplished Regatta"?
- Frank, Manchester

Bob, Bedford

Yeah, Carter WAS a 'hands on' guy--just like BHO. Carter's micro-management of THAT rescue/fiasco caused it to be referred to later as the 'Jimmy Carter Desert Classic'.
- Paul, Sunapee

Deb, Derry
I was going to jump on you for your first paragraph but you know what let’s just agree to let that go and move on to your second statement.

“As with Vietnam we are fighting a limited war and we will most likely have the same results. At this point though I think it's time the people of Afghanistan and Iraq take responsibility for their own futures so we can see if they truly want a life without oppression.”

For once we both agree, now how do we proceed? I’m going to attempt to be as non-partisan as possible here so bare with me. We have had one president who rushed in without a plan and understandably from your point of view we have another who takes too long to come up with a plan. From that I gather that we both agree that an actual plan is very important.

Obama has stated that his decision will be announced by November 11th he wanted to let the elections complete before he announced the plan. According to Chris from Goffstown the Afghani people actually want us there and for now I’m taking his word that he is who he says he is.

Here’s what I propose, let’s see what the plan is and give it twelve months. At this point we’ve been at this for eight years and if Chris is right we owe it one more earnest shot don’t we? We tried it once your way and it didn’t work let’s try it from a different angle. If in twelve months we do not see massive improvement then I will stand beside you and call for an immediate withdrawal of all forces.

As a liberal and an Obama supporter I say you have twelve months to show me some progress or pull the troops out. We’ve been there eight years we either need progress or we need to leave. If neither Republican nor Democrat can lead us to progress then we need to demand immediate withdrawal.

We’ve given Bush seven years with zero progress let’s give Obama 33% of that time and if in that time we do not see progress then I will stand beside you and demand total withdrawal.

What say you Deb?
- Jim, Raymond NH

Obama, you will find out, is not "doing nothing." He is carefully evaluating a complex situation in light of the fact that what we HAVE BEEN doing does not serve American interests.

All the gung-ho yap here is just chickenhawk baloney. If you want useless wars try paying for the one you allowed over two elections with Bush first.

If the President is smart he'll ignore the people who voted for Bush and get us out of Afghanistan asap. It's a waste, like the rah rah posts here from the tv watching warriors.
- Julien, Manchester

Hey Bob V.,

This republican would like to see what you did in serving this country other that sit in your padded comfort chair and write inflammatory emails. I for one would serve again if the president would clearly,concisely and with self conviction for the good of the US make a goddam decision.
- Bill, Bedford

Here's some interesting food for thought.
"Reagan proved deficits don't matter," Vice President Cheney said in 2002 when pushing for a fresh round of tax cuts. With this attitude in hand, Bush passed on a budgetary nightmare to his successor. Bush came into office with an advantage few presidents have enjoyed -- a $230 billion surplus. But due to a $1.35 trillion tax cut in 2001, a $1.5 trillion tax cut in 2003, and a massive defense buildup through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Bush quickly blew through that surplus. The next president will "inherit a fiscal meltdown," Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) warned in February 2008, as the Bush administration projected a budget deficit of $400 billion. After the financial crisis emerged last fall and the ensuing bailouts, Bush's budget deficit ballooned to over $1 trillion. As Center for American Progress Vice President for Economic Policy Michael Ettlinger explained, budget deficits swelled under Bush because his supply-side tax policies slashed revenues while failing to deliver strong economic performance.

From the Huffington Post
- Bob, Hillsborough

Chris,

It doesn't matter if you serve your country, if you don't know what you're talking about when he gets back.

The "great anti-terrorist system" you were complimenting has cost the country 5,000 solider's lives and a trillion dollars.

That's the price we paid.

That is also the price this letter writer from 1979 - and this guy McQuaid - would have been willing to pay.

It's great you made it back. Plenty of guys didn't - and Bush sent them off to way - not Bin Laden, not Carter, not anybody but Bush.
- NSR, Epping, NH

Based on the comments posted here, it looks like all you right wing whack jobs failed history.
- Bob, Hillsborough

Where's the oil that Bush is accused of going into Iraq for? Last time my oil man delivered he made no mention of the oil I got being Iraqi oil. Anyone out there taken delivery of oil from Iraq?
- Guy Plante, Manchester

This is Obama's war now.

He wanted this job and now he has to step up to the plate and deal with it but no, he is stonewalling and delaying at every turn. If he doesn't want the job, Obama should just step down.
- Jim D, Hillsboro

One could criticize Obama intelligently, with some class, especially if one were a newspaper publisher with a large staff. Instead let's invoke the unpopular-with-rednecks Jimmy Carter. Why?

Because; behind any "get tough with the world" US militarism is the Israel Lobby and Neocons like Kristol, Krauthammer, and the Kagans. Carter is the most prestigious critic of Israel's unproductive and indefensible land theft and occupation of Palestinian lands. Israel wants a warmongering Neocon America, and has it's tentacles deeply wrapped around most US media.

AIPAC and it's ilk play little redneck newspapers like the UL like marionettes. McQuack got the word apparently.
- Joseph, Concord

To Herb C, Jim in Raymond and others Obamaites:

here are your facts:
* your emperor declared he had a strategy after conferring with the powers that be on 3/29/09, yes 7 months ago. Fact

* yes he has postpone a decison for 3 times now and one even today. Fact

* Since 3/39/07 we have lost over 25 servie men and women while he worries about his golf game, governor elections, women involvedment AKA golf and yes a photo opp at nite for 1 fallen soldier . Fact

* He is politicizing everything he does so he looks good. The trip Denmark along with 2 yes 2 747s because god forbid Michelle and Oprah couldn't wait for him and who paid for that? hmmmm. Fact

* Finally Jim in Raymond, once you get your facts correct and along with all the other Obamaiyes understand while not the best president, Bush did act, yes act, something your emperor shuns away from. So give me someone that at least makes a decison rather than his image.

* Jim I find it amusing you mention nothing about Clinton, Reagan, Ford and Carter in your rambling? Please enlighten me on Oh Carter failed miserably at war, Clinton had Bin Laden and let him go. Reagan did great and Ford was non effective, but less I digress with true facts and not your emotional banter! Don't I hear Teddy calling you???
- Paul, Candia

The american people were outraged over the loss of more than 3,000 people from terrorists based out of Afghanistan and made it clear to our representatives and the President we wanted vengeance. If going into Afghanistan was wrong it isn't George W. Bush who deserves the blame it is the american people. But if I have to remind you of that you have probably already forgotten why we wanted to attack Afghanistan. 9-11, forgotten so quickly by the american people.

Obama has had two months since he received the request for additional troops. He has been commander in chief for nearly a year. Our finest men and women are dying in unprecedented numbers in Afghanistan. Where is the Presidents plan? Why is it taking so long? Who do you trust more to fight a war a general or a community organizer?

Defending Obama for doing nothing while good men and women are being killed in Afghanistan is defending the indefensible. Either we change our strategy or we bring the troops home, just do something! Obama you wanted to be President now act like a President!
- Don Diamant, Milton, NH

McQuack doesn't want to pay for a war, and he's not going to fight it himself. Hmmm so what's he aiming at? He can't change one mind here in NH, which Obama will carry again in 2012. Must be dementia.
- Roger, Rochester

SMD "blessed" us with this comment...

"Nothing like a couple of chickenhawks to start a war, Mr. AWOL (Bush) and The Deferment Kid (Chaney), supported by media chickenhawks like Hannity, Beck, Rush and now McQuaid. Maybe if Obama picked up a bull horn and started yelling threats at the world, put a flight suit pretending to be a pilot and landed on a carrier displaying "Mission Accomplished" you right wing nuts might leave him alone as this is the type of behavior you condone in a leader."

I counted 8 liberal moonbat talking points (lies) in that commentary. Thank-you though for another shining example of a liberal view - or lack thereof - on how foreign policy works outside of moonbat Fantasyland.
- Mike, Temple

History will show--if we are again allowed to have free speech--that we were to be in this war--and need to finish what we started. It seems many of you don't know your the actual history only what some media has shown. War is hell--it will be even more like hell when it is own our shores yet once again. Those who nearly lost or did lose loved ones or in 9/11, serve in Afghanistan and Iran and have family members who do, understand what we are fighting about and for--and the necessity not to be half hearted--or I mean "namby, pamby" to quote a fellow with common sense and experience. Ideologues on both sides best sdes do some in depth homework without the tinted glasses.
- Jan, Londonderry, NH

Nothing like a couple of chickenhawks to start a war, Mr. AWOL (Bush) and The Deferment Kid (Chaney), supported by media chickenhawks like Hannity, Beck, Rush and now McQuaid. Maybe if Obama picked up a bull horn and started yelling threats at the world, put a flight suit pretending to be a pilot and landed on a carrier displaying "Mission Accomplished" you right wing nuts might leave him alone as this is the type of behavior you condone in a leader.
- SMD, Plano, TX

Chris/Goffstown, good for you; you made it back in one piece. This country is better for your service.

However, we have no place in an Afghan civil war. How many years do you think we should sacrifice American lives and American funds that could be better spent here at home? I want to spend or not spend my tax dollars right here at home and not in some other country. We've wasted far too much money that we don't have in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Let the Afghans fight their own battles; we've got too many issues in America that need our attention.
- Bob V, Manchester

Boy, it's hard to believe that there are still some bodies out there who have not come out of the hypnotic trance of Obama's smoke and mirrors show. It just goes to show you that some people will believe anything that they think sounds good at the time. What a pity!
- Brian, Farmington

It wasn't too bright for our former Glorious Leader to put them there in the first place, was it?
- SA, DOVER

TO: Bob V, Manchester

1: I am a registered republican.

2 & 3: I’ve had the courage to go there and I KNOW it’s important enough to yell from anywhere ... even the cheap seats sir.

4: I can only speak for Afghan... Yes sir, they do want us there... They love what we are doing for them. I know this from actually being there and working with them. Not from what CNN or Fox News has to say.

The funny thing is I’m sure you got/get your information from the comfy seat of your home or work... aka... "The cheap seats"?

Not all of the "Right Wing Nuts" have served this great country... but as you put it...you’re going to find out something very funny; some of us have.

Semper Fi.
- Chris, Goffstown

War is the health of the state. More war = more big government and less liberty. America should mind the advice of the Founders and stay out of the rest of the world's business.

I'm critical of Obama's foreign policy too, but for a different reason: he's continuing Bush's Wars without end or purpose.
- CDR, Lebanon

Sure, Joe, the letter is 30 years old. You've loved the racist tinge to it, didn't you? What in God's name are you talking about? Obama is cleaning up Bush's wars. Wrong then, wrong now.
- e, londonderry

Sure, Joe, let's just throw thousands more troops into Afghanistan with no plan of how to win and get out. That worked really well for the Soviets. Let's do just like they did. Another great idea from the intellectual swamp of the far right!
- LJC, Manchester

I would encourage President Obama and the Democratic majority to pass a law that will send all registered republicans to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight and rebuild those countries.

Then we'll see if the right-wingnuts actually have the courage to do the dirty work that they expect everyone else to do for them.

If you think it's important then go fight for it rather than yelling from the cheap seats.

By the way, while you're there, you're going to find out something very funny; the Iraqis and the Afghans don't really want us there.
- Bob V, Manchester

40+ years ago, Politicians thinking they are better equipped at directing war policy than are military professionals. Remember how that one worked out?
- ck, Manchester

Why bother going back 40 when you only need to go back 8?
- Jeff, Hooksett

I’m really glad the Union Leader dug this up this letter and used it as a comparison to President Obama. If we had invaded Iran back in 1979, I can imagine that we’d still be arguing over the ill-fated wisdom of invading a country that may have cost us thousands of American lives, whereas history proved diplomacy to be the right path. It was an embarrassment to the nation to have our embassy occupied for so many days. The botched rescue attempt was a travesty, and only served to exacerbate our embarrassment, but if Carter’s plan had succeeded, he no doubt would’ve been re-elected. It was the appropriate amount of military action to take.

We should also keep in mind that Iran and Iraq went on to fight a war between each other for many years during the Reagan administration. Over 500,000 lives were lost in that war- a good indicator of what we may have faced if we did invade Iran. And by the way, the Reagan Administration threw his full support behind Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and created an “Axis of Evil” in the process. We made him who he became as part of our misguided revenge against Iran. That’s not anything to be proud of.
- Gary Way, Bedford

Yeah, Jake/Manchester, add the 8 years since 9.11 and you're somewhat on the mark. Thanks to President Bush for constructing a great anti-terrorism system since then that this joke of a President thankfully hasn't "added to" or meddled with.
- Bill, Dover

Bingo! Well played!

God Bless Our troops!
- Chris, Goffstown

This is hilarious.

The Union Leader couldn't come up with anything to criticize Obama for today, so they took a letter from 30 years ago, about a different President, reprinted it, claimed some kind of vague similarity to current events, and ran it as an editorial against Obama.

This coming on the eve of an election day in which Obama is three years away from appearing on the ballot.

The fact that the Union Leader is using it's prime editorial space on this drivel 24 hours before election day says a lot about the positive platforms (or lack thereof) of local Republican candidates.
- Dan, Manchester

You could change another few references and it becomes a letter about the inaction and predicted downfall of a certain newspaper publisher to adapt to a digital world.

I'm all for war mongering, but really, send more fatigued troops to Afghanistan, Iran and then North Korea? I know it makes for great photo packages and features when the local boys come back in boxes, but you really think our lives are threatened by attempting to negotiate and install proper democracies?
- Steve, Peabody, MA

Yeah, Jake/Manchester, add the 8 years since 9.11 and you're somewhat on the mark. Thanks to President Bush for constructing a great anti-terrorism system since then that this joke of a President thankfully hasn't "added to" or meddled with.
- Bill, Dover

This takes the proverbial cake. If you can't find any substantive current opinions to bash Obama, then find a article from decades ago and try and make a apples to oranges comparison with the underlying implication that we have the right to manipulate the world as we see fit while simultaneously espousing democracy?

This tripe conveniently skips facts like our involvement in the overthrow coup of the Iranian government with the Shah in the 50's that contributed to the eventual revolution and hostage crisis.

How many Americans are aware of our direct involvement in Saddam's rise to power? Are they aware that we armed and trained Bin Laden, the mujahadeen, and the Taliban?
It's a convenient method of chickenhawks to create a problem and then demand a speedy resolution to an imminent crisis, typically involving troops and airstrikes.

Hopefully, more Americans are waking up to this reality so we can stop trying to implement democracy by force and give them something that used to be part of our own fabric, which is self-determination.
- Herb C., Concord

Thank you Mr. Loeb, Mr. McQuaid, and most of all the Soldier from Patton's Army. We are a Nation that recycles, so I suggest this letter get's cc; to obama, kerry, the white house, congress, and all the coward's that this letter pertain's to. The wonderful motto of this letter is it brought us Americans President Reagan and I must believe it will happen again. Our wonerful Country is being destroyed day by day by a deadly virus and it is coming from within. When obama took the oath of office, you know the offical one, the second one, oh gree he skipped the Bible so I quess he feels what he was swearing to did not count. I think he is not the offical President, but the one's in that Trojan Horse sure the hell are. God Bless America and Our Troops.
- Linda, Derry

Obama is a corrupt, Chicago-trained con man.

Nothing more.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

For the record:

President Carter, the peanut farmer, did authorize a rescue attempt several months after hostages were taken. Sit down for this, President Carter and his staff were squeemish when confronted with the fact that the SEALs, charged with the rescue, would shoot anyone holding an American hostage, "right bewteen the eyes". Carter and staff, preferred more negotiations and more UN sanctions. Unfortunately several American SEALs gave their lives in a failed rescue attempt.

No Decision is a decision in and of itself. President Obama demonstrated that he does not implicitly trust the very General (McChrystal) that he hand picked to run the obama campaign in Afghanistan. Our President already failed America and the American people when he stated in March or April that Victory was not the goal in Afghanistan and still kept the military in that country. If Obama wants to organize Afghanistan perhaps he should send over ACORN and bring the military home. The US military is an awesome organization with unmatched capabilities. What the military needs is a competent and couragous commander in chief.

Now back to thinking about how to explain that the high inflation aftermath of Carter will be repeated in the aftermath of the obama catastrophe.
- Michael Layon, Derry

If you're going to call the sitting president a coward, at least have the courage to use your own words to do so. That's what editors get paid to do.
- Dave, Sandwich

- Jake, Manchester

He is pulling all the troops out of everywhere... soon the only place left to strike will be our soil. Have you bought your fire arms yet? Oh... well you should buy them quick... your "Leader" wants to take those away as well. And i say YOUR leader because I wouldnt follow that man anywhere... And yes i mean Obama.

... So do I have to pay to post on the internet yet ? U.L. Ill mail in my check ...
- Chris, Goffstown

What Mr. McQuaid fails to mention is that President Carter DID try the military option to rescue the Iran embassy hostages.

"Operation Eagle Claw (or Operation Evening Light) was a United States military operation that attempted to rescue 52 American hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on 24 April 1980. The attempt was aborted when three helicopters that were part of the operation were damaged or forced to return to the carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) by a sandstorm. As the U.S. force prepared to leave Iran, a refueling accident led to the remaining helicopters and a C-130 Hercules refueling aircraft being destroyed or left behind, and the deaths of eight American servicemen."

If you have to lie and omit to make your argument, then either you are intellectually lazy or your argument is weak. Eight American servicemen died attempting to rescue the hostages. Don't forget that McQuaid.

And this may be a little premature, but with Veterans' Day coming up soon, I want to thank your for your honorable service in our country's armed forces-oh wait-you never served! No matter how tough you talk McQuaid, it will never change the fact that you had a chance to serve your country in the armed forces and chose not to do so. You're a fraud.
- Bob, Bedford

Come on Jake,

In the past year while you and all your Obamaites have been running this country into servitude, the Bush adbministration security infrastructure has stopped, what is it now 5, terrorist's plots? You see you guys blame Bush to cover up Obama/Messiah's mistakes and applaud him when he rides the back of Bush's adminstration effort. Oh Jake did you see your comrade delayed a troop decision again, that is 3 times now while our service men and women die. I was disgraced to see him take a photo opp for a fallen soldier! I say that since his contiued political delays on a troop decision he should personally saluted every solider that dies and apoloigize to every casualty. Finally I hope you earned the right to say OOH RAH!
- Brian, Hooksett

Let's look at facts. As soon as President Obama came into office he sent 40,000 more troops into Afghanistan. A request from the generals that had been sitting on Bush's desk for 7 years and he refused to do cause he was so preoccupied with Iraq and its oil. Has it made a differnece since we sent them, who's to say but I know one thing you can send 1 million troops and it probably won't change things over there. Just ask the Russian's and Alexander the Great. Osama Bin Ladin knew exactly what he was doing when he picked that country to hole up in. They are a tough country to crack with the geography of the country and the inner political factions of the tribes. We sure got ourselves in a mess and good luck to our president and the generals if they figure out how to achieve success over there.
And 2. why were our hostages released to Pres. Reagan? Because of the secret arms deal. Did you forget the Ollie North trial with the arms for hostages secret deal (Iran and the Contra's) Come on Mr. McQuaid give us a little more credit that we have memories and remember a little bit of history.
- Joanne P., Manchester

These comments are typical of a Right
Wing Wacko.
- Jerry S., Derry

Its not so much BHO I worry about about. He"s a light weight. Its the Pro Marx Pro Mao Pro socialist anti capitalism anti freedom Czars that he surrounded himself with. They have the power to regulate without congressional approval, all without passing a law or breaking one.
- Chip, Hooksett

Wow, you're completely correct! How have we been so blind to the genius of William Loeb from 30 years ago? We should make all policy decisions to the standards of 1970's UnionLeaders, I'm sure we'd be in a wonderful place then.
- J Paige, Manchester

Wow, you're completely correct! How have we been so blind to the genius of William Loeb from 30 years ago? We should make all policy decisions to the standards of 1970's UnionLeaders, I'm sure we'd be in a wonderful place then.
- J Paige, Manchester

From my perspective, President Obama has not made any decisions on anything except increased spending.

Notice, once it's starts getting "hot in the kitchen", the issue is dropped and another project started. Nothing comes to completion.

Not surprised, and typical of someone who never ran a business or employed in private sector.

I didn't vote for him, and not because of his skin color. I didn't believe anything he said during the campaign, and still don't believe him. He made so many promises, that I thought it near impossible to deliver.

Thus far, I'm enjoying a 90% success with my prediction. My next prediction, Nov 2010, Congress gets a shake up, and the Executive Branch will no longer enjoy strong arm tactics with no objection.
- Harry, Atkinson

Most would not tolerate anything less than playing to win period by their favorite sports team, yet when it comes to playing to win with our military some leaders seem to do everything in their power to loose. You can't win by being on defense more than offense and being on offense seems to be offensive too some.

As with Vietnam we are fighting a limited war and we will most likely have the same results. At this point though I think it's time the people of Afghanistan and Iraq take responsibility for their own futures so we can see if they truly want a life without oppression.
- Deb, Derry

Wow Joe you’ve really outdone yourself today and in the process proven that this paper has the same lack of integrity it had in 1979. I must commend you on your ability to produce generational misinformation. There were rescue attempts unfortunately the major one ended in tragedy.

In your diatribe you forget to mention how the hostages were released. Even before his election Reagan and Bush worked with the CIA to trade weapons to terrorists in return for the hostages so Reagan could look like a hero. You guys talk tough about appeasement this would be the ultimate case. We gave weapons that emboldened the same people who three decades later blew up the heart of New York City. Not only did we supply them weapons we got into bed with the oil cartels which supplied the same terrorists with huge amounts of good old American cash. How many innocent people died because of our actions? How many of those weapons were used to attack embassies and kill Americans and our allies? Far more than the 53 we saved I’d wager.

Enter G.W. who entered into two wars without a plan except of course providing untold profits to his war contractor buddies and of course misplacing billions of dollars in cash along with stockpiles of weapons all which ended up in the hands of terrorists.

Rash decisions and actions have consequences and the American people have repeatedly paid the price. You are mistaking careful planning and thoughtful execution for cowardice. We have one shot to fix this problem so we’d better have the right plan and it must be executed properly and at the right time.

Of course we could follow the Reagan Bush plan and give the terrorists a huge stash of weapons and cash and ask them to kill someone else for a while, that might work. What do you think Joe should we hand over Nukes this time?

Hindsight is 20/20 but based on our history with these people what we need is someone with intelligence and foresight if we’re going to win and end this fine mess you republicans have gotten us into.
- Jim, Raymond NH

Almost 1 yr down and no attacks on American soil. Lets thank our President for keeping us safe in these troubled times!! God Bless President Obama and our troops! OOOH RAH!!!!!!
- Jake, Manchester

Another courageous conservative sitting at his desk and making the hard decisions to send thousands of sons and daughters of other people into harms way. You should run for Congress, Mr. McQuaid. What is left of the GOP would love you.
- Steve B, Derry

Obama is Carter on steriods. There is no getting around it. The next four years will by far be much worse than the four years of the Carter presidency.
- Tim Moore, Gilmanton

Folks will no doubt complain about the rudeness. But consider the lives on the line? Pres. Obama has not taken a stand that is unpopular. He has refused to take a stand. That IS cowardly. History may damn him. I already do.
- Peter, Manchester

Nothing tickles my fancy more than a chicken hawk in full cluck mode. The solution to all problems is to bomb, bomb, bomb. It works so well. If we only could do what we did in Vietnam and Iraq everywhere, all the world would be peaceful. Brawwka brawwwka brawwk, Mr. McQuaid. Well done.
- Steve B, Derry

40+ years ago, Politicians thinking they are better equipped at directing war policy than are military professionals. Remember how that one worked out?
- ck, Manchester

NSR,

Sometime you have to tell the emperor he has no clothes. The way this admin is working this country will be so ruined we will never be able to regain our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Sound familiar NSR.
- Ed, Exeter

NSR,

Sometime you have to tell the emperor he has no clothes. The way this admin is working this country will be so ruined we will never be able to regain our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Sound familiar NSR.
- Ed, Exeter

It's clear that Obama is a weakling. The world sees it. Honest Americans see it. The only people who don't are the cultists still enamored with his image. Hopefully the 2012 election will have the same results for him as 1980 did for Carter.
- Mike, Dunbarton

Fire, aim, ready! This column should titillate the birthers if nobody else.
- Ruth, Bedford

While I for one would love to see our military stick to their objectives and not fall under rule of our politicians on the battlefield or in the theatre of operations, there is an added complexity. One is that we are part of the United Nations and are governed by certain treaties in what we can and cannot do.

I can't help but wonder before we got into this mess after the bombing of the WTC, would Saddam Hussein and his family have accepted $10 billion dollars to go anywhere of their choosing? Would it have been better than entering an engagement that was "unwinnable".
Who knows he may have not accepted it because it seems he actually enjoyed what he was doing.

I believe the reason that compelled us to enter this was because we were the ones that put that puppet in place in the late 70's early 80's. He grew mean and grew brains and became a threat and we could no longer "handle" him.

It's quite clear that we made a mistake on our philosophy, democracy is not suited everywhere, you can't force democracy on a society that doesn't understand it, has no need for it, and doesn't want it. The people in the middleeast have been living in their culture a lot longer than we in ours. They live a certain way, and while most have accepted and moved with upwards with technology, even more have shunned it and live the way their forefathers did.

You can't bring indoor plumbing to everyone and it becomes harder when they have no idea to being what outside plumbing is.

It's now time for us to do the next thing, wrap this up because in 3 years we will be over there for as long as the Soviets were and they were left bankrupt. It's now to turn on the "No Vacancy" and start figuring ways to protect ourselves.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

History will not be kind to Obama, all the silly spin in the world will not change that.

Economics. He will bankrupt us.
Foreign: The world is laughing at him and
Clinton. The naivety of it all.
Environment: No energy for anyone is stupid.
Military. Dying under this leader is a cruel
joke.
Democrat Party. Becoming the Socialist
Party will turn out to be disastrous for
them.
Taxes. Soaring, hold on to your wallet

Carter will be grateful to him however in that Obama will surpass him on the lack of competence scale.
- Bob, Salem

Dishonesty is the greatest cowardice, and this paper practices that like nobody else. McQuack here is an embarrassment to the state. Luckily this state's people have more commons sense than fantasizing old soldiers.
- Tom Labrie, Rochester

This is funny. If you wingers want to see true cowardice grab yourself a mirror; it's that simple.
- Tom, Dover-Foxcroft, Me.

Welcome back, Carter! 1 year down, 3 to go. I'm not sure what's worse. A coward that is clearly a coward or a coward that is a pro liar, that can put on a poker face.
- Rich, Concord

LOL! For a moment I thought it was someone else who is still alive that was in Patton's army but I know he would never talk like that.

@NSR, Epping, NH: I think Mr McQuaid is TOO easygoing and nice. We old geezers wish the Loeb's were still around. :-)

I think this was a very engaging piece of writing with a nice surprise ending...and I give it an A+ Good read, Joe!
- Sue, Manchester

What's so funny is you love publishing nasty letters about politicians you don't agree with, but you can't handle them when they're directed at you.

You're one more cheap bully in old suit.
- NSR, Epping, NH