CNN

Hi Dennis,

Just a guess, but I think you are a Ron Paul supporter. I too, think Mr. Paul has several great ideas.

Unfortunately, isolationism isn't one of them in my opinion.

The sad reality is that we are living in a world where the radical islamic fascists seek to end our way of life and put us all under muslim rule. Simply retreating to our own shores will not save us from this threat. Quite the contrary, actually. If we do not engage the enemy where he is now, then he will engage us upon our own shores, within our own cities, with numbers, resources, and weapons unthinkable right now. If we let the enemy recruit, arm, and equip themselves without any hinderance, we are doomed.

What America really needs are vigilance, fortitude, and unity.

Best,
Derrel

fred08.com

Somehow, my last comment included a comma on the link to http://www.fred08.com so the link will not work. Sorry about that. To everyone, I highly encourage you to do your own research on all the candidates before you cast a vote this election season. Dont believe everything the media has to say. Most of it seems to be "spun" or made up on the spot for entertainment or shock value. I have a very sad feeling that our next President will have to lead us through some VERY trying times. For me, after literally hundreds of hours of research, the choice is clear. Fred Thompson.

Best,
Derrel

fred08.com

The last thing America needs right now is to add more fuel to the fire! It's time to stop being the police of the world and take care of our OWN people Mr. Thompson!

Hello again.

First, I want to thank Ann for her kind comments. They are very much appreciated.

Next, I would like to address Katie's comments.

Hi Katie, first thank you for supporting the troops as I do. Support from home is very important for our young men and women who are so far from home, regardless of our philosophical or political differences.

As for the rest of your post, I'm afraid I have to respectfully disagree with you. While the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam war were fought for many reasons, the main thrust was to combat the spread of Communism which was, and is, a threat to our freedom by its own stated goals.

Then there was the Gulf War. The Gulf war was fought to defend our allies against naked agression by a foreign enemy which directly affected our potential energy sources which are crucial to our way of life. There it is point blank, I won't candy coat it. Many will dance around the subject but the truth of the matter is that this country cannot currently function without the oil supplies from that region of the world. So, in essensce protecting that oil is, in effect, fighting for our freedom and way of life. To a lesser extent, an argument could be made that the war was fought due to treaty obligations to our allies in the region and that our country cannot stand alone and would quickly fall if it were to be abandoned by our allies, as we surely would be, if we failed to honor our treaty obligations.

The current war is a global war on terror, most notably against radical islamic facism. The two current fronts on that war are Afganistan and Iraq. Al-Qaeda still has active groups in both countries and must be fought were they are, in my opinion, before they travel here...again.

As for your third point, I believe that since the surge seems to be working in Iraq that our focus and resources will indeed shift more to Afganistan in the near future. However, I do not want to leave a mistaken impression, such as we are not supporting that conflict now. The truth of the matter is that the international community is providing much more help in Afganistan than they are in Iraq and that has, I believe, determined where our main resources have been focused to date.

In all, thank you Katie for your well-spoken response, Though I do not agree with you, I value your opinion.

To all the Thompson nay-sayers, please visit http://www.fred08.com, read his "white papers" on his positions and principles, and make up your own mind. Also, with the exception of McCain (who has about the same experience) Thompson DOES have more foreign policy experience than the rest of the candidates and I believe that is experience that we will sorely need in the future. Even if we disagree, I respect your right to your own opinion, I just wish you would post with more constructive language, less cynacism, and less anger.

To a. muhammad from Atlanta, you are mistaken sir. Al-qaeda has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Bhutto, just as Fred predicted they would. And, Al-Qaeda is definately what I would consider an "Islamic Terrorist" group. You also expressed your desire for us to "see the other side." Well said sir. However, you never presented the "other side" in your post. I encourage you do post your position and welcome the opportunity to respond to it in the future.

To everyone friend and foe, have a great day!!!

Best,
Derrel

Wow, I thought that Fred had left the race. I guess when he finally quits the race, he can go back to Law and Order should the writer's strike be over. I don't know what Fred can do now; like any of the other candidate could do anything more now either.

It is ashame that Bhutto was murdered, but it was stated, by many people including her, that there was great danger in doing this. It showed her patriotism to her country.

8 years under Reagan were the best of times. Fred, the only conservative in the race, is what America needs. He is honest, competent, and understands what is at stake.

One candidate wants to talk to the enemy. Another candidate feels that Mrs. Belichek is probably qualified to coach in the N.F.L., she is married to the Patriot coach. Huckabee deserves a stint on SNL.

Fred for President!!!!!

'Ol Thumbsucks right about one thing...it's no time for on the job training. Definately not time for some ham whose only real experience in Washington was sucking up to other lobbyists and lining his pockets with all their 'gifts' while he was a know-nothing, do-nothing Senator.

Who let Thompson out of his cage??? Does anyone whos running for president know whats actually going on in Pakistan????? Where are they coming up with these ideas....Furthermore PEOPLE READ YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET LOOK UP SOMETHING AND STOP SPREADING AROUND LIES YOUR THE ONLY VICTIM HERE

I like Rudy. He's a tough, decisive, no-nonsense guy. However, I lived in NY in the pre 9/11 days. He was alternately confrontational and dismissive towards anyone that disagreed with him or was on the other side of the bargaining table. His battles with the head of the teachers union are legendary. For most of his 2 terms he was an extremely polarizing figure.

Granted, that approach was, to some degree, necessary in NYC at that time and will always be, to a lesser degree, necessary in NYC, but I don't see that approach playing well on the national or international stage. So, it makes me wonder whether he's capable of changing his approach.

Another actor speaks out. Sorry Fred, the sound bite doesn't work this
time any better than when Ron took the stage, and he actually had more
experience than you. Laid back Fred is dead on arrival.

Derrel – What a brave man to post such a no-nonsense comment. What a brave man to have faced the enemy both over there and here at home. The enemy at home are the people who demand their liberties not be hindered, i.e., freedom of speech. That is, until someone speaks something they do not want to hear. Then these high-flown individuals intimidate anyone who speaks what they don't want to hear, trying to kill freedom of speech for everyone but themselves. Isn't that what Hitler did? FREEDOM!!! A TWISTED WORD BY SOME.

Are you serious? First of all, as it was stated. The assasination of Ms. Bhutto has not been linked to "Islamic terroism." It was a political assasination right now. But many of you nuts want to make it that, to make it seem as though this is what being President is all about. Fred Thompson doesn't know what the H hes talking about; as USUAL! And if I didn't know better, and I don't! I would think that some of you on here actually work for the current President. Its amasing that you have swollowed the talking points, and propoganda of this administration down to the letter. Can any of you who want to fight these terrorist, tell me why they are so-called terrorist in the first place? Oh! " they hate us cause we are free." PLEASE! Americans don't read! You don't study history! You don't know anything about world politics! You only go off of what THEY tell you. You get duped every 4 years. The Republican party is the worse! All you all seem to want to do, is kill everyone who you THINK is an enemy. Or those who don't agree with you! And mess the economy up for everyone except big corporation and the rich. And Fred Thompson. You actually think he knows what he is talking about because he was on the Senate Intellegence commitee, he right for the job? you silly!
And becuase America "projects strength around the world," you really think that is why America is hated? SAD! On 9-11, my favorite cousin died in tower two! But I won't let that blind me to what is going on now in the name of 9-11! Everytime we try an justify our presence in the middle-east. Or some nut blows himself up, we try to link it to 9-11. Its two sides to every story. Oh! My bad! You don't want to know any other side do you?

Oh please, this guy is still in the race? He had more momentum BEFORE he officially entered the race. Stick to acting, Fred.

We have over 700 military bases in over 130 countries. Only one candidate has pointed this out to the American people. Thank you Ron Paul. By the way can you even name 130 different countries? nevermind afford the $1 Trillion it costs to maintain these bases each year. It's funny how we protect Seoul better than we protect NYC or DC.

Derrel- I thank you and the soldiers for the sacrifices you have made; however, I would like to respectfully point out that American soldiers have not fought for our freedom since WWII. I support the soldiers and their service, but I do not support the cause.

Secondly, Fred Thompson's reference to Al Qaeda is not justified here- there is no evidence yet to show who is responsible for these attacks. Furthermore, Musharraf is the one who suspended the Supreme Court earlier this year- therefore there is just as much reason to believe that he is responsible for this assassination.

Third, if Fred Thompson really believes that Al Qaeda's mission is to "bring Western civilization to its knees," why does he focus all his attention on Iraq and not advocate for more troops in Afghanistan to capture the party that was responsible for the attack on our nation?

Fred (YAWN) is a complete MORON.....Big Fred use to be a LOBBYIST.... I would
never vote for this wannabee. VOTE RON PAUL..

Fred is lost

I am glad that Fred Thompson informed the world that Pakistan is part of the west, I did not know that.
Al Qaeda or whoever did that dasterly act should be found and brought to justice. I am talking about justice not abuse or beatings but the charges brought against them in open court and if found to those involved they should suffer the consequences of their actions.

What an odd comment, Senator Thompson. See you have no experience. Senators are legislators, the executive branch conducts foreign policy. So, I agree with the comment which means we needs a chief executive like Rudy Giuliani to be president because he would not need on the job training to learn to be a chief executive.

If he is serious about fighting terror lets start at home. Declare the KKK a terrorist organization!

Thompson admonishing others about "This is no time for on-the-job training"? Are you kidding me? What experience does he bring to the table – his alter-ego from his TV show? Oh, I just remembered he did play an Admiral once in the movie "Red October". That's right, that's right. It's "all" the experience we need!! If legitimate concerns around the globe were not so serious, Mr. Thompson's admonishments would be 'laughable'.

Wow, great comments from Fred. The CLEAR choice for President for me and any other true Conservative. No flipping on the issues, no lies, no skeletons in the closet, and no BS. Just the hard, tough, truth. Go Fred!!!

To learn more about Fred and his clearly laid out policies and ideas, please go to

http://www.fred08.com

As for G...please don't shout. We can all see that you (and many others) hate Bush, but I dont see how that has any bearing on Fred's comments on Bhutto's assassination. Of course, this is a free country and you are entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. But, please try to remember that Pakistan has NUKES and those should be watched VERY closely by us along with the developing situation in Pakistan. This nothing to make jokes about or ignore. Blaming Bush for everything or being critical of him at every turn will accomplish nothing other than taking your eye off the ball...a multi-megaton ball at that.

Also, I would like to respectfully point out that on 9-11, there were several airliners and several buildings filled with americans minding their own business who were taken someplace they didnt want to be...and America was taken there with them. I also respectfully submit that knowing about a potential risk in no way lessens a tragedy when extremists murder any number folks without regard for much else at all. You seem to admire their "guts" and this truly saddens me for you seem to have very little grasp of the world in which we now live. In my mind, fighting such a dedicated and determined enemy is something we must do to survive. And to fight this hidden enemy, we must go to where he hides, gets his money, and recruits others...and that is what we are doing in the two fronts in Afganistan and Iraq. I wholeheartedly agree that errors have been (and continue to be) made by Bush and others, but I still believe the fight is just, and one that must be made if our children are to have any hope of growing up in a free country.

You may be critical of Bush all day long because "he has no guts" in your mind, but I do have "guts." I've seen the face of the enemy, fought him, and defeated him. It is something I would do again in a heartbeat to preserve our freedoms and our way of live...including your right to bash whomever you please. But next time, before you make such an outburst, please stop and thank a veteran who fought to give you that right. Just some food for thought.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

It is also too bad that CNN's "Senior" political commentator couldn't remember that Fred was also a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee in his "analysis" of how the Bhutto assasination might shake up the Iowa votes next week.

Wow. I can't wait until January of 2009. Fred actually speaks his mind (and in *his* mind actually makes sense).

"G" seems to be the type of narrow minded nutcase that could easily be recruited by one of these aforementioned violent orginizations.

An actual adult running for President? Everything I here this man say convinces me more and more he is the only real candidate in the race. He actually thinks before he speaks and doesn't just offer cute soundbites like the Huckster; "I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night," being the depth of his foreign policy.

We need a candidate like Thompson who understands the intricacies of foreign policy and that isolationism is not realistic or effective. While projecting strength doesn't necessarily make America popular in the world, Islamofascists definitely wouldn't respect a United States that was a paper tiger led by pacifists with a "can't we all just get along" mentality. These people want to eliminate every person on earth they can't convert. They only understand strength.

It is nice to finally see a candidate that reacts and communicates as a president. I have been worried, but now am convinced, after reviewing his proposed policies and following him on the campaign trail in Iowa, that Fred Thompson is the best man to run this country- by far!

Fred's got it right, again.
This continues to be a time when we need to be strong when facing down another misguided, motivated enemy.

This real threat requires real leadership.
No posers, please.

I'm scared hope everyone else is

I'm scared Republicans that is!

Ummm this was a POLITICAL assasination. This was not the act of terrorist... this was the act of a desprate Prime Minister..

Sen. Thompson just sealed the deal for me. I want an adult defending the US. I have been amused by Gov. Huckabee but this is not fun and games. When the chips are down, I want experience in the White House and not a jokster.

It's great to hear a candidate that understands that this is not a isolated incident, but part of greater war against Radical Islamic terrorists.

One word, gravitas.

Fred is right again. This is a global war and only someone with his kind of experience in overseeing and engaging the issues brought before the Senate Intelligence Committee understands the nature of intelligence resources and policies toward insurgent and terrorist organizations. NONE of the Democratic front-runners, and only one of the other Republican candidates have anything that remotely qualifies them to be the final arbiter of American Foreign Policy and Commander of this nations military. The notion that having served as the first lady bestows some level of leadership is a gross absurdity.
Be advised America – selecting a candidate on the basis of their purported desire to end the conflict in Iraq "before" the global war against terrorism is a gilded invitation to have greater risks to our safety here at home.
Support the CONSISTENT Conservative – support Fred Thompson.

SHE KNEW THE RISKS. SHE ACCEPTED THE RISK.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU INSIST ON BEING
WHERE YOU'RE NOT WANTED AND YOU KNOW THAT
THOSE WHO DON'T WANT YOU ARE VIOLENT.
WE ARE DOING THIS WITH OUR MILITARY, TOO.
BUSH SAYS IT WAS A COWARDLY ACT.... WELL,
SINCE YOU ARE A COWARD BUSH.... NEVER MIND.
I THINK IT TAKES EXTRAORDINARY GUTS TO
BLOW YOURSELF UP. BUSH WILL NEVER DO IT.
HE JUST SPILLS THE GUTS OF OTHERS.