No more tea with terrorists

• Former Secretary of State James Baker and his Iraq Study Group strongly urge the U.S. to open up talks with terror-sponsoring Iran and Syria to help solve the quagmire of Iraq.

• "Important Democrats" reportedly meet with senior officials of the terrorist organization Hamas, sworn to the destruction of Israel and attacks on U.S. interests.

• Former President Jimmy Carter, promoting his book labeling Israel as an apartheid state, goes on "The Tonight Show" to explain why Israelis should yield to the demands of Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups.

• Even President Bush, who pledged to war with terrorists everywhere after Sept. 11, says he is now open to the idea of talks with them – and, in fact, has authorized secret meetings with al-Qaida allies in Syria.

I keep saying it, but it bears repeating: What a difference five years makes!

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Here's what President Bush said Sept. 20, 2001, amid loud applause and the approval of the overwhelming majority of Americans: "Our war on terror begins with al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated."

He understood then, just nine days after the worst attack on the U.S. in history, and so did we why talking with the enemy was futile and, in fact, counterproductive.

"They hate our freedoms – our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other," the president observed. "They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way."

May I ask, what has changed since then? Why have so many Americans who saw the conflict clearly five years ago become confused? Are American lives no longer at risk? Is our way of life no longer threatened?

Many mistakes have been made in the execution of this war. I have been as quick to point them out as anyone. But mistakes have always been made in the execution of wars and other noble causes. How is it possible that we've grown so weak and weary after such a short time?

To his credit, Bush explained from the beginning victory would not come easily – or swiftly.

"This war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion," he said in that speech to the nation. "It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat."

He continued: "Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism."

And then the clincher: "Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."

There was more in that speech. Bush said it wasn't just America's fight – that it wasn't just American freedom at stake. It was a fight for "civilization."

He called for "patience in what will be a long struggle."

"Great harm has been done to us," he reminded. "We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom – the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time – now depends on us. Our nation – this generation – will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

He continued: "It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came – where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever."

Yet, it's clear to me the vast majority of Americans don't remember. They have grown tired. And we are about to make a fatal error in Iraq by cutting and running and leaving our friends there to the mercy of the terrorists.

That's bad for our friends – and even worse for us.

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