Bush needs to take different Iraq approach

President Bush's supporters keep saying how well the war on terror is going. They cite constitutions and elected governments. Yet, they seem to ignore other news that paints a different picture. In Iraq, more than 5,500 people have died as the result of sectarian violence in the last two months alone. No data is kept on those injured or permanently disabled. About 2,800 Americans have died so far, a lot more than the 150 that died in the first Gulf War,and Mr. Bush continues to insist that his "Stay the Course" policy is making progress even though he does not foresee an end to hostilities during his presidency. In Afghanistan, the resurgence of the Taliban has grown to the point that the United Nations is asking its members for more troops to meet the increased threat. Since the establishment of democracy, the duly elected government barely controls the capitol city and a small surrounding area while warlords who control the restof the country have turnedAfghanistan into the largest exporter of heroin in the world. It seems that this administration is bereft of ideas for securing the peace beyond either killing or detaining its opponents. This November, we must send people to Congress who will demand that Mr. Bush explore other alternatives and engage the world community, including Arabs, in the peace process. Spreading democracy at the point of a gun is surely not working -- it never has. Nick Reina, Milmay - Published in the Daily Journal, October 5, 2006