Five years after 9-11, the al-Qaida network seems stronger, not weaker: On the heels of horrifying London attacks of last year, the organization has been able to conceive, plan and nearly execute a monumental attack intended to murder thousands of civilian travelers.

If the current strategy is working, as we are told, why has it not worked? Why is Osama bin Laden still at large, al-Qaida still so capable, Afghanistan spiraling out of control, Iraq descending into civil war and our country more divided at home and more hated and isolated abroad than ever before?

The apologists for the current policy say we are fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here. This is another lie in the endless string.

In reality, the Iraq war has opened up another attractive target range and practice ground for al-Qaida, greatly enhancing its ability to recruit and train. Terrorists-in-training no longer have to travel very far for the opportunity to kill Americans. They need only slip into Iraq.

As a result of the criminal incompetence of the current administration, we now fight them both there and here. And under this administration, our chances look worse and worse.

That's my opinion but I'm sticking to it"