> As for the young marine; yes, it's sad. It makes me wonder why we send them over there. It makes it nice for the madmen who no longer have to come to America to kill Americans. When we figure out how to measure progress in a war like that, maybe we well be able to figure out if any progress is being made.

You wonder why we send them, but I think you answered your own question. They're out there fighting the madmen to prevent them from coming here and killing Americans like you and me. They are out there trying to find and destroy those who would come to this country and kill us. They are brave young men and women who volunteered to go and fight for us. They have my thanks and support.