cedarford, in case I was not clear or I am misunderstanding intentional obtuseness for a tempermental contrariness, my comments regarding thermonuclear weapons relate to Iranian (or more specifically the ruling Iranian’s) desires and designs. I was merely pointing out that imbedding those weapons in cities might actually be more effective than sending them by ICBM. In any event, your comments regarding the so-called 4th Protocol and the triggering of a nuclear response may or may not have the deterrent effect you assume, given the influence of the 12th Imam in the equation.

But beyond that, let’s examine the psychology a bit further. Say a device goes off in Seattle with five more set to go. The demand is for our immediate exit from Iraq. Now, even given the current much improved situation in country, how do you suppose most U.S. citizens would react to the decision to trade those remaining cities for a continued military presence in Iraq? It goes without saying there would be much anger over losing Seattle, and that alone would/could/should be sufficient to provoke a response. But the wrong response will also lose you NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta. In that situation, I’d hate to be the one to tell the American people we’re staying in Iraq and “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”