Senate Democrats, seeing all their hopes beginning to disipate after the Plame Investigation closed with none of their hoped-for inictments, seems to have acted in desperation today. Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid, invoked Rule 21, which I had never been aware of, to institute a closed-door session on the issue of pre-war intelligence, and who knows what else.

The fact is, though Libby was indicted on some serious charges, he was indicted for comments related to an investigation that concluded that there was NO wrongdoing. No matter how many times Reid and others rant about the pre-war intelligence and the so-called “outing” of Valerie Plame, nothing will come of endlessly droning on about these issues.

The average person knows that we had faulty intelligence, and the average person could care less about Ms. Plame. But let me tell you why the invoking of “Rule 21” in the Senate is such a monumentally dumb thing to do.

Conservatives have just gone through something of an in-house spat, of a sorts. We had this huge debate and publicly dissented from our President, whom we’ve supported to a significant degree over the past 6+ years. So, after this whole in-house debate, an intelligent opposition leader would seek a way to capitalize on this potential rift.

So, what did Senate Democrats do? Initiate an outrageous action guaranteed to unite conservatives across the board.

Is this the best that DNC leaders can do? If so, they are in for yet another rough election cycle in 2006.

I think this move by Senate Democrats will wind up hurting them FAR more than it ever could have helped them. So, let me be the first to extend my thanks to DNC leaders who have done us the favor of reminding us that, no matter how much conservatives might disagree on various issues, we can all agree that the Democratic Party has no answers to offer anyone in America.

David Flanagan
Viewpointjournal.com

VPJ Priority Dispatch
Friday, September 28, 2005

IRAQ A ‘QUAGMIRE’ FOR OSAMA?

Recent documents discovered during the combined Iraqi/American assault on terrorist operations in Tal Afar reflect a sentiment among key al Qaeda leaders that Osama bin Laden has led his organization into a “quagmire in Iraq.” Though the Iraqi government has only revealed a few of the names found on recovered documents, one widely circulated rumor has it that a principle accuser is none other than Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al Qaeda’s forces in Iraq and, ironically, an Iraqi himself.

One of the name which has been revealed is Abu Azzam. Mr. Azzam, before being killed by coalition forces in anti-terrorist activities centering around the town of Tal Afar, was widely reputed to have been Zarqawi’s right-hand man.

“Is there any GOOD news regarding our operations in Iraq,” asks Abu Azzam in one of his most recent notes to Zarqawi. For Mr. Azzam at least, the answer is now a definitive “no.”

Ultimately, for Osama’s followers in Iraq, while some have managed to inflict casualties on US and Iraqi forces, the operation overall has consumed massive amounts of al Qaeda resources, diverted tens of millions of dollars, and resulted in the delay of terrorist initiatives worldwide.

Not to mention the fact that hundreds of al Qaeda operatives have killed themselves in hopes of killing either soldiers or innocent civilians. Thousands more have been killed or captured during engagements with Iraqi and American forces.

Meanwhile, Osama and Zarqawi have both been forced to find remote hiding places, well away from the action, which has, according to Al Jazeera television, prompted whispered accusations that these key leaders are nothing more than “chickenhawks”.

Adding insult to injury, Osama’s poll numbers are at an all-time low throughout the middle east. Sales of the Osama T-Shirt throughout the region have declined rapidly among all demographics except among western tourists. There is even talk among members of the Taliban regarding plans for putting a proposed Osama Action/Adventure Theme Park on an indefinite “hold.” This organization, as most know, is one which has, until recently, remained in lockstep with al Qaeda.

Given these facts, complaints of ‘quagmire’ among supporters should not come as much of a surprise. And, as the Iraqi military continues to grow larger, stronger, and better equipped with each passing month, matters have grown that much worse.

Over all, polling shows popularity for Osama in general, and his Middle East policies in particular, is down among Muslims. This, of course, signals an alarming trend for the once popular terrorist leader:

Osama bin Laden’s standing has dropped significantly in some pivotal Muslim countries, while support for suicide bombings and other acts of violence has “declined dramatically,” according to a new survey released yesterday.

Predominantly Muslim populations in a sampling of six North African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries share to a “considerable degree” Western concerns about Islamic extremism, according to the poll by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, conducted by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization.

Mr. bin Laden could not be reached for comment; however, his press secretary, upon hearing the news, held a press conference during which he wagged his finger in front of reporters and cameras and stated, “no virgins for you!“