Alphacarina writes: "You wouldnt be in Iraq now Sergeant Hall of the popular vote had prevailed in 2000 and Gore had been elected - We would have saved 4,000+ lives and when it's all said and done, about 8 or 10 trillion dollars - Enough to have 'fixed' social security and given healthcare to every American . . . . something George tells us we can't afford."
First let me say that Al Gore lost the election plain and simple in 2000. I still have the USA Today newspaper report on how USA Today and a private company recounted the votes in Florida 4 different ways and Al Gore lost all but 1 way which happened to be the most conservative method and the he would have won by 3 votes! Also keep in mind that each of the counties that everyone complained wasn't right (palm beach and the others) where all democrat controlled counties, so don't blame republicans for that mess, blame the democrat leaders in those counties. Even now questions have come up in those area's and they are still controlled by Democrats. You talk about the popular vote; if you do some study you will realize how smart it is not to go by popular vote so that everyone including people in our least populated states have an opportunity to vote and have their voices heard. There is a lot of lessons to be gained by studying the wisdom of our founding Fathers. A challenge to everyone...when was the last time you read the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United Statesand the Bill of Rights.
I do agree with you about the Iraq war which I supported in the beginning, but when we see Muslims killing their own and not trying to fix up their country, then It's time to leave which is what I think we should do, bring EVERYONE home.
To Sergeant Hall and all of the rest of the people on this forum who has served our country in the armed forces, and to those that paid the ultimate price....I say thank you and God bless that I have the freedoms I do!

Pete Wilson