Regardless of who wins the election, the war on terror will continue being an important issue for years to come and how it is handled will shape the future of the world in general. An important thing to note is that the mind of the terrorist is a key element in decided how to act in the war on terror. If a terrorist attacks and a nation attempts to retaliate but backs out is a major victory for the terrorists. The USSR backed out of Afghanistan in the 80s, which was a huge victory for the afghani's including bin laden. In fact that victory was what prompted these people to form Al qaeda, because if they defeated one enemy of allah they can defeat others. The U.S assisted the afghanis in that struggle, but at the time it was what they felt was right, I am not debating the fact that this may or may not have been a blunder. Terrorist cells are decentralized and they are not heirarchical, but killing or arresting a figurehead hurts the organization. However, the figurehead wil be seen as a martyr and the lesser cells will attempt to retaliate. Eventually however, if the planning and organizational units are taken down the active cadre will be unable to mount a successful attack. This is extremely hard to accomplish, but it can be done, and will require extensive training of counter terrorism units. Terrorism can never be eliminated, but by cutting off the head of organizations it will lessen the threat and extent of future attacks, because the actual suicide bombers are not the masterminds. So whether its kerry or bush who wins they need to stick to it and they cannot back down or negotitate with terrorists.

Unfortunately I will have to disagree with you... Terrorism is not "managed" by or operated by a head figure... Bin Laden is just their source of inspiration and now they all are acting on their own. This is the major side-effect of the war in Iraq. We've unleashed and spread their ideology.

So whether its kerry or bush who wins they need to stick to it and they cannot back down or negotitate with terrorists.

its standard U.S. procedure NOT to negotiate with terrorist. thus not even making it an option.

Yeah, negotiations with terrorist often have proven unfruitful and deadly... these are people who have taken the last resort to pressure others to do what they want. Besides, to us it is terrorism, but in their eyes it is war and it counts.

 

The problem is that we took all the wrong steps to fight them, went into the wrong country and gave them all the more reasons to hate America, creating a hostile environment in the rest of the world in the process.

 

So yes, we can't leave now, no matter how much we want to, because if we do, then it would be an even greater crime and mistake. We are there because of whatever reason, but now we are stuck until the job is done... This will take several years, so be prepared.

anything to get the lying murdering weasel bush out of office