In the Somebody's Doing Better, But it May Not Be Us Department

Right now, 63% of respondents to a CNN poll asking if the War in Iraq is making al Qaeda strong or weaker says the organization is stronger now.

To believe it's weaker almost requires you buy the argument given by the Pentagon that the "tiny fraction of dead-enders acting up" is just the last gasp of bad behavior before it's extinguished. But we not only have a terrible situation in Iraq, Bush made sure that Arabs were doubly incensed by (what to all appearance seems like) the total capitulation of Bush to Sharon in ways that will not benefit the Palestinians.

Oh yeah, and drug crops look like they're in for another record year in Afghanistan. Every year since we bombed them, drugs have been produced in quantities unknown before our arrival.