I'd call 6,000  casualties inflicted "a war".  In 
fact, the people we are currently retaliating 
against were more successful than the entire 
Iraqi military at killing Americans, if I'm not 
mistaken.

You are right, however, in that it will not 
accomplish anything if all we do is incite anger. 
 In fact, that will only intensify the terrorism. 
 We cannot afford another "Gulf War blunder" where 
we only cause damage and fade away, leaving the 
hostile leader (Saddam) in power to cause trouble 
later on.

No, if you have been following the news I think 
you will see that the US is being very clear in 
its goals.  We are planning on destroying the 
terrorist resources in Afghanistan, along with 
their allies, the Taliban, and then placing a less 
hostile power in their place.  There are so many 
squabbling factions over there---I'm sure we can 
find at least one that isn't bent on world 
domination through terrorism.

JP