http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0923/dailyUpdate.html

The US and Iraqi governments have vastly overstated the number of foreign fighters in Iraq, and most of them don't come from Saudi Arabia, according to a new report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) ... While the foreign fighters may stoke the insurgency flames, they make up only about 4 to 10 percent of the estimated 30,000 insurgents ... The CSIS report says: "The vast majority of Saudi militants who have entered Iraq were not terrorist sympathizers before the war; and were radicalized almost exclusively by the coalition invasion."

The war is breeding terrorists? Why hasn't somebody told us?!

I thought seriously about going to the protests in D.C. (just ask Marie). 200,000 to 300,000 attended. Even if it didn't mean buying a plane ticket and stuff, I still shudder at the thought of fraternizing with hippies. Besides, we're going on a family vacation this coming weekend. I'll just have to be content with my new antiwar.com t-shirt.

Of course, the pro-war rally across the street let supporters, 500 of them, have their voice, too:

"No matter what your ideals are, our sons and daughters are fighting for our freedom," said Marilyn Faatz, who drove from New Jersey to attend the rally. "We are making a mockery out of this. And we need to stand united, but we are not."

"The group who spoke here the other day did not represent the American ideals of freedom, liberty and spreading that around the world," Sen. Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican, told the crowd. "I frankly don't know what they represent, other than to blame America first."

One sign on the mall read "Cindy Sheehan doesn't speak for me" and another "Arrest the traitors"; it listed Sheehan's name first among several people who have spoken against the war.

"Our troops are over there fighting for our rights, and if she was in one of those countries she would not be able to do that," Vigna said.

"I know how much my husband does and how hard he works, and I feel like they don't even recognize that and give him the respect he deserves," Francescon said. "I want him to know and I want his unit to know that America is behind them; Cindy doesn't speak for us, and that we believe in what they are doing."

"Saddam Hussein is a moron, and you're a moron!" came a voice from the crowd.

"If you bring them home now, who's going to be responsible for all the atrocities that are fixing to happen over there?" he asked. "Cindy Sheehan?"

Maybe the hippies aren't so bad.