Thank you, Colonel North! You've explained in a few words the genesis of the Iraq war and the sequellae of the political actions of our government following a successful military campaign.

We need no "principals," just "principles." We also do not need to lecture anyone on their principles or demand he or she follow ours. Instead let's address problems faced by the government and solutions for those problems. The states need to do much more governance -- they are more responsive to the electorate in their own areas.

It's about time someone with a voice points out the Emperor has no clothes. For over two centuries, this nation has improved the lives of its immigrants who changed themselves in the image of the nation as a whole (assimilated). They kept their roots close to their hearts but learned the ways and language of their new nation. Bravo! Dr. Sowell. Thank you for being a consistent voice of reason.

Your choice to use drugs IS your business. As long as at a later date you don't (i) ask me to pay for the consequences or (ii) force me to pay for your use of drugs (such as being robbed, burgled, etc.). I do not believe VOLUNTARY intoxication is an excuse or reason for the government to get involved. If you choose that path -- you are solely responsible for yourself. PERIOD.

It may be irrelevant to you, but to many of us it is an important premise upon which our freedoms are based.

The word is "petulant." It is pronounced "pet-u-lant."

There are only several dozen more who are equally challenged intellectually. But I agree I will boycott these ten. If they want to be actors -- act; if they want to be politicians -- I won't vote for them. Since they can't seem to get their priorities straight, I will avoid them at all costs. Confused people are dangerous. And often bigots.

Dear Mr. 103: Please look up "affect" and "effect." You've used one of them improperly.

The draft also created young people who knew how to care for themselves, how to budget money, how to work. CCC or draft -- I believe each citizen owes its country something of himself (neutral gender). It is a great way to start life -- with tools to live it. Paramilitary training is about self-responsibility, acknowledging legitimate authority, and performing as trained. It is not about being slothful, ignorant and disrespectful excuses for human beings mooching from the publicly financed teat.

As one of the first Boomers (1/3/46) and mother of one of the last (12/15/64), I can assure you neither of us has neglected to provide for ourselves or our families without government handouts. I do support, as does my son, the reform of social giveaway programs to make them what they were meant to be -- safety nets for those fallen on hard times. These programs should not perpetually support my generation or those who follow. It should protect those who swallowed the government koolaid of "social security," but reasonably, not frivolously. It should not support a welfare state for the able-bodied who choose not to work.

What Idon't understand is why the conservatives have to wave red flags of religious convictions (not impacted by anything) in order to make an argument for or against a position. The Democrat bull charges - but is followed by a large, stupid population of cows -- and stomps the red flag (and, concomitantly the position) into the mud. Dems 1 Conservatives 0.