Thank God there is at least one sane Democrat who understands the stakes in World War III.

Why We Need More Troops In Iraq – Sen. Joe Lieberman, Washington Post

I’ve just spent 10 days traveling in the Middle East and speaking to leaders there, all of which has made one thing clearer to me than ever: While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging. On one side are extremists and terrorists led and sponsored by Iran, on the other moderates and democrats supported by the United States. Iraq is the most deadly battlefield on which that conflict is being fought. How we end the struggle there will affect not only the region but the worldwide war against the extremists who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001.

Because of the bravery of many Iraqi and coalition military personnel and the recent coming together of moderate political forces in Baghdad, the war is winnable. We and our Iraqi allies must do what is necessary to win it.

The American people are justifiably frustrated by the lack of progress, and the price paid by our heroic troops and their families has been heavy. But what is needed now, especially in Washington and Baghdad, is not despair but decisive action — and soon.

As the hostile regimes in Iran and Syria appreciate — at times, it seems, more keenly than we do — failure in Iraq would be a strategic and moral catastrophe for the United States and its allies. Radical Islamist terrorist groups, both Sunni and Shiite, would reap victories simultaneously symbolic and tangible, as Iraq became a safe haven in which to train and strengthen their foot soldiers and Iran’s terrorist agents. Hezbollah and Hamas would be greatly strengthened against their moderate opponents. One moderate Palestinian leader told me that a premature U.S. exit from Iraq would be a victory for Iran and the groups it is supporting in the region. Meanwhile, the tens of thousands of Iraqis who have bravely stood with us in the hope of a democratic future would face the killing fields.

In Iraq today we have a responsibility to do what is strategically and morally right for our nation over the long term — not what appears easier in the short term. The daily scenes of death and destruction are heartbreaking and infuriating. But there is no better strategic and moral alternative for America than standing with the moderate Iraqis until the country is stable and they can take over their security. Rather than engaging in hand-wringing, carping or calls for withdrawal, we must summon the vision, will and courage to take the difficult and decisive steps needed for success and, yes, victory in Iraq. That will greatly advance the cause of moderation and freedom throughout the Middle East and protect our security at home.

If only our Commander In Chief had as this much support in the American news media, the public would be as aware of the stakes as Senator Lieberman.  On the other hand, his fellow Senate Democrats like Christopher Dodd, John Kerry, Arlen Specter (yes, I know…) and Bill Nelson spent their holidays meeting with our enemy in Damascus. 

But Joe Lieberman is truly is an example of a Profile In Courage in our time.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

Our final poll this week for Grande Conservative Blogress Diva has spurred me to re-visit four of my already favorite bloggers.  Michelle Malkin never fails to disappoint me with stories I don’t see (or hear) anywhere else.

Putting Freedom Above Football – Michelle Malkin/Baltimore Sun

There were signs. They were small signs, but they were there, and they suggested that Maryland guard Donnie Woods was serious about quitting football to defend his country.

An American flag hung from his locker, and he kept another in his room. Favorite movies? United 93 and World Trade Center. The hunter green camouflage Terps football hat he always wore. His criminal justice major.

Nobody, though – not even his parents – expected Woods to forgo his senior season of football to join the military or pursue a career in a police department with the hopes of eventually landing a job with the FBI or CIA.

“He sort of threw the idea out and we said, ‘Yeah, OK, sure Donnie, whatever,’ ” said his father, Don.

Said Terps center Edwin Williams: “He talked about it during the season, but nobody really listened to it.”

They’re listening now.

Woods, one of the Terps’ top offensive linemen, has contacted military recruiters, and the Montgomery County Police Department has contacted Woods. He will play the last football game of his college career Friday against Purdue in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla. It was a decision he secretly made before the start of the season – while daydreaming one day in a summer class – and one he said he will not regret.

“I always wanted to serve my country,” said Woods, who will turn 23 on Jan. 27. “I think freedom is an amazing thing. I love what this country stands for. I want to give back for what we have. There’s no other high for me.”

Another American hero…. doing the jobs American liberals will not.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)

**UPDATED**

Excellent news. 

Another important milestone in World War III is achieved tonight — the prosecution, conviction and execution of one of humanity’s great mass murderers and terror-supporters. 

GatewayPundit reminds us of Saddam’s cruelty and systematic reign of death.  America liberated the world of this beast.

Captain Ed takes The New York Times to task for its opposition to putting Saddam to death.  I’m sure the Times’ editors and those who follow them would rather see President Bush in the gallows tonight.

The reluctance of the Times to support Saddam’s conviction is puzzling, given that they concede all available evidence paints him as one of the worst monsters in the past few decades. It seems to spring from an objection to his sentence rather than his conviction, as they end with a warning that Saddam’s execution will not create a “new and better Iraq,” but that’s not the purpose of criminal sentencing, either. Sentences serve dual purposes: to protect society and to serve as a deterrent to others, neither of which has anything to do with creating a new and better anything.

Stay close to PajamasMedia for breaking coverage of the Saddam execution.

Mohammed at Iraq The Model is liveblogging the execution and related events on the ground in Baghdad.

**UPDATE** — As I predicted above, the American Lefties are calling on President Bush to be executed instead of recognizing the justice tonight for the hundreds of thousands of nameless Iraqis slaughtered at the hands of Saddam Hussein. (h/t – RedState)

**SATURDAY MOURNING UPDATE** — The American Left across the board are mourning the execution of Saddam Hussein.  Gateway Pundit has the full round-up of disgusting reaction from those who claim to be Americans.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)