Reply #6: I find the worst to be that

[Patsy Stone]

even Bush doesn't believe Zarqawi's death will make a difference -- yet he insists *we* believe it will, and belittles those that speak the same truth as he did during his last radio address. He has no plans to withdraw troops and he even went so far as to state (in the same address he heralded the death as an "important victory") that:

"Zarqawi is dead, but the difficult and necessary mission in Iraq continues. In the weeks ahead, violence in Iraq may escalate. The terrorists and insurgents will seek to prove that they can carry on without Zarqawi. And Coalition and Iraqi forces are seizing this moment to strike the enemies of freedom in Iraq at this time of uncertainty for their cause. The work ahead will require more sacrifice and the continued patience of the American people."

In the absence of true and good leadership, people (by this point mostly lazy and complacent) listen to whoever speaks the loudest. That's the most dangerous element, imo. If we're talking in Biblical parables, the Golden Calf comes to mind.

K&R