And in terms of the capability of the Iraqis to fend for themselves, defend their country, there's been no clear indication from this administration that they have the stand-up capability to do that. And until that happens, there is no end in sight,

I hope and I pray that nothing happens in this country between now and the time we take these bills up.

That's a critical part of this conversation. We understand that this is the first of two vacancies on a court that's so evenly divided that one bad choice ... could have an impact for a long time.

we cannot put off the debate over the best course for the future. . . . We do not honor our fallen soldiers simply by adding to their numbers.

There is a line to be drawn here. We should all draw it together in terms of personal intrusion of our loved ones.

At a time when we see around the world the violent consequences of the assumptions of religious authority by government, Americans may count themselves fortunate. Our regard for constitutional boundaries has protected us from similar travails while allowing private religious exercise to flourish. Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must answer a difficult question: Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?