The Roman legions were formed in the first instance of citizen soldiers who yet had been made to submit to a rigid discipline and to feel that in that submission lay their strength.

At a time when 2500 American soldiers have given their lives for the cause of bringing democracy to Iraq it is sad and frustrating to watch the Republican establishment disgrace the exercise of democracy in our own House of Representatives.

9/11 was a deliberate carefully planned evil act of the long-waged war on the West by Koran-inspired soldiers of Allah around the world. They hated us before George W. Bush was in office. They hated us before Israel existed. And the avengers of the religion of perpetual outrage will keep hating us.

And across Afghanistan every single day Afghan soldiers Afghan police and ISAF troops are serving shoulder-to-shoulder in some very difficult situations. And our engagement with them our shoulder-to-shoulder relationship with them our conduct of operations with them every single day defines the real relationship.

If those in charge of our society - politicians corporate executives and owners of press and television - can dominate our ideas they will be secure in their power. They will not need soldiers patrolling the streets. We will control ourselves.

Poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition.

The experts who managed the original Marshall Plan say Afghanistan needs a commitment of at least $5 to $10 billion over 5 to 10 years coupled with occupation forces of 250 000 Allied soldiers to keep the peace throughout the country.

Where there are too many policemen there is no liberty. Where there are too many soldiers there is no peace. Where there are too many lawyers there is no justice.

When your country is in a costly war with our soldiers sacrificing abroad and our nation facing a debt crisis at home being asked to pay your fair share isn't class warfare - it's patriotism.

Our platform calls for a balanced deficit reduction plan where the wealthy pay their fair share. And when your country is in a costly war with our soldiers sacrificing abroad and our nation facing a debt crisis at home being asked to pay your fair share isn't class warfare - it's patriotism.