Where does opinion-page columnist Tom Plate get his information regarding the respective positions of the American presidential candidates on U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq? At this point in time, none of the candidates actually shows any real intention or determination to make withdrawal an immediate priority, citing security issues and the usual obfuscations.

When it comes to foreign policy, there is no real significant difference between Democrats and Republicans. The record since well before World War II shows that the United States will continue to be interventionist (for its own "security" needs, which always justify its aggression) and continue to add to the hundreds of military installations it maintains around the globe.

james fujii