The Associated Press is reporting that Turkey has amassed 140,000 troops near the northern Iraq border... A stone's throw from the only truly Bright Spot in Iraq: The Kurds.

The Kurds of northern Iraq have long been the only folks in that part of the world that truly understand and WANT a peaceful co-existence in their country. The other two factions in Iraq would do themselves proud to follow the Kurds' example!

However, the Turks have been silently(?) waiting for years for an opportunity to have their way with the Kurds. IF... IF the troop numbers are correct, that's almost as many troops as the United States has in Iraq. No way will we be capable of lending a helping hand to the north while at the same time maintain a useful(?) presence to the south.

Let's get one thing straight: I think the downfall of Saddam was fit and proper. Fighting a Religious War is NOT. And a Religious War is exactly what is now taking place in Iraq.

The general populous of southern Iraq, the Shias and Sunnies, do not seem capable; either mentally, physically or idealogically of governing themselves in a peaceful co-existence and Lord knows one cannot change a 2000+ year "habit" in a matter of a few years: By brute force or otherwise.

That said... Move the troops to the north and let the Shia factions and the Sunni factions take care of their own business the best way they know how... By brutally murdering each other! The "world court of the just" will find that neither bunch is actually more "Godly" than the other and neither can be trusted.

Diplomacy with the Turks? Of course, a strong bit of rhetoric would first be in order but, emphasized with a well placed Cruise Missile to put a period on the statement: "Don't even THINK of warring with the Kurds".

I like the idea of "...Speak softly but, carry a Big Stick" and loathe having to tell someone something more than once simply because they "didn't believe the sincerity".