April 1, 2008

A mass grave containing the bodies of more than fifty people killed by al Qaeda has been found in Iraq. The dead are thought to have been victims of al Qaeda’s two-year reign of terror in Diyala province.

The graves are in an orchard, only one-third of which has been searched, so there is the possibility that more bodies will be discovered.

This is the latest of many incidents that show us what we’re up against. Al Qaeda and other terrorists groups which go by different names, but share the same mission, will not be dissuaded from their murderous intentions by anything the west does. They will not be placated or compromised. They will not be deterred. They can only be defeated and humiliated. They are hanging-on, hoping one of the surrender candidates wins the presidential election.

They know the only way they can defeat us is not by superior military power, but by superior will power. Given the statements of liberals’ withdrawal intentions, is there any reason they should not feel they are on the verge of winning

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.