In hope that Progressives and Conservatives can agree on the following

I was just watching a discussion of talking heads on Lou Dobbs on CNN. I am tired of the "cut and run" language used in the mainstream media, when Republicans can't think of anything else to say about what in the world is going on in Iraq or the situation with Israel, Palestine and Lebanon or Afghanistan.

I have never heard Lou Dobbs call for an exit strategy, but at least he asks good questions. I googled for more information and I found no indication that Lou Dobbs has served in the military.

I do believe whether you are for the war in Iraq or against it, it is American to question the U.S. government and policies that our officials, at tax-payer expense execute.

Lou Dobbs uses the word "reality". He asks of our government "WHAT IS THE STRATEGY FOR VICTORY"? He is angry that everyday 2 or more men and women serving the U.S. die in Iraq. He is angry that while 2 or more men and women serving the U.S. die, the Pentagon and the Bush Administration call for the U.S. to "stay the course". Lou Dobbs has not called for a withdrawal, but the question, "WHAT DOES STAY THE COURSE MEAN?" is a question that those supporting the war in Iraq and those against the war can agree on. Other questions:

What are we doing in Iraq?

Is there a better way to "spread peace and democracy" in Iraq?

What do we do about the U.S. weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? What do we do about the use and spread of depleted uranium, produced by the U.S. in Iraq? President Bush had said that 30,000 Iraqi citizens have lost their lives in this conflict.

Let me articulate the anti-war position in practical and realistic terms. President Bush declared Iraq a sovereign nation in the summer of 2004. After 3 celebrated elections in Iraq, the situation of people loosing life and limb in the streets is happening on the ground as I write this and as you read this.

Whether we call it withdrawal or "cut and run" here are the benefits of the United States military leaving Iraq: If the Iraqi government, after 3 celebrated elections, can not control the violence, than our young men and women serving the United States will not be in the midst of the violence. For those people concerned about another terrorist attack or natural disaster in the United States, it would be in our best interest to mobilize the troops at home, especially those serving the National Guard. We can hope that with the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, this would enable humanitarian efforts to help relieve the suffering of the people in Iraq and if we are never greeted as liberators, spreading freedom and democracy, we will begin to behave as a nation based on principals of justice. We can hope that those defending their country of Iraq would take pause in the violence to allow for much needed humanitarian aid. We can allocate more resources to taking care of the U.S. military men and women returning from Iraq, as far as their health needs and family needs.

What is the reality on the ground in Iraq? So far, our men and women of the U.S. military, risking life and limb, have not been greeted as liberators. The mainstream media reports that the U.S. military is giving more responsibility to the Iraqi security forces to secure the sovereign nation of Iraq.

The words, actions, inactions of the United States are not bringing peace to Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Sudan and Nepal.

The words, actions, inactions of the government of the U.S. are not bringing relief to those U.S. citizens who have no health insurance and who need a raise in the minimum wage in order to survive. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND should be a call to our nation to prepare talented students for science and math education and to be able to afford that education beyond high school. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND should be a call to our nation to develop and respect and cherish the special talents of all of our children, not simply record the numbers on their standardized academic tests. NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND should be a call to our nation to relieve the suffering of homeless children in the United States.

Cindy Sheehan wants to know if her son died in vain and what is the cause so great and noble that her son died for?

That American people must stand up, even those that support the war and ask, "What are we doing in Iraq to achieve victory"?

For each American, Iraqi and Afghanistan life we can save, by removing our military might and U.S. weapons of mass destruction from the region, this would be a victory, or at least an American step forward in the genuine roadmap for peace in The Middle East, and hopefully, peace on earth.

Linda Zoblotsky is Writer, Producer and Director of the entertaining and educational one-woman play, LINDA ZOBLOTSKY IS LUVCHILD, about adoption and an adopted adult’s search for her Birthparents. There are 6,000,000 adopted people in the United States. LUVCHILD helps the non-adopted population understand the obstacles that adopted adults face when searching for their natural families. Linda was a volunteer for Kucinich for President. Living and Working in NYC as a Performing Artist: Linda Zoblotsky has toured the United States in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. She played Madame Giry and Carlotta. Linda enjoyed the GREASE! tour with Frankie Avalon, playing Miss Lynch. Other tours: ANYTHING GOES with Gloria Loring. In regional theatre Linda has played Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL, Mama Rose in GYPSY, Smitty in HOW TO SUCCEED, Agnes in I DO! I DO!, Rosalie in CARNIVAL and the Fairy Godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA.