I misinterpret you because you fail to express yourself in clear fashion. This goes back to elaborating on what you say. If you are not specific, people won't know exactly what you are talking about. Thats your problem, not mine. I fail to see how you are whining about re-explaining yourself...seeing as how you explained little to begin with. I don't even want to know what agony your English teachers must go through. However, you did make some attempt to explain yourself, so I'll let the side comments rest here and put an end to it.
Now for my take on the issues...
1. That is fair enough. I'll respect that argument, though I do not entirely agree with that. US action was necessary and I glad you don't dispute that. I hold the belief that all of the "lies" and "mis-truths" are the first casualty of war. It is expected when a country is at war because they are at odds with another entity. It is to an extent necessary to gain the edge and win the war. It is something that is bound to happen whenever people have conflict. Do I condone all of that mess? Of course not. Am I surprised or alarmed? Not really. I believe that sometimes it is a necessary evil. You address grounds of morality. I firmly believe that the protection of the United States' people comes first. I believe that Bush shares that belief. In turn Bush exercises that in a very external way. As I said before, while it is contestable about the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan is not. I have reason to believe that the only way to combat terrorism is with offence. An example that is testimony to this is Ariel Sharon in Israel. He has done a better job of quelling Palestinian terror attacks than any leader I can think of. Playing defense against terrorism lacks common sense. In essence you are simply waiting for them to come. Seeing as how terrorists play off the element of surprise, it basically translates into waiting for another 9/11. People argue that you can combat terrorism by preparing yourself and taking defensive measures to prevent it. I want to how that is even possible. Did anybody before 9/11 realistically imagine that terrorists would fly commercial jets into buildings? I doubt it. The terrorists only have to succeed once to do damage. The defenders have to succeeded every time. That is not a reasonable expectation.
You see no progress? Afghanistan was the primary nest for Al Qaeda, it isn't anymore. To boot the US toppled a radical fundamentalist government. That by virtue is a degree of success/progress. If you would only be satisfied with bin Laden's capture, I'm afraid you will be waiting a lone time for that satisfaction. Terrorism is an idea, not a physical entity. It is progress if you kill 100 of them, even without the leader. Though rumors suggest he is more of a figurehead now rather than an actual leader. Grated I (and every other non-fundamentalist Muslim person in the world) would love to see bin Laden captured, but it's more likely he will probably end up dying of old-age or pneumonia in a cave someplace. Was the war in Afghanistan necessary? Yes.
Now Iraq is a much more complicated issue. It is likely that Bush when to war there because: he had intelligence that led him to believe that Al Qaeda had some connections to the government, Saddam Hussein was a douchebag and also helped fuel anti-American sediment, the US had economic interests there like oil, to end terrorism Bush believed that a real democracy in the Middle East would provide a foothold to achieving that, it's a good thing to liberate people from a cruel dictator, and other nations implied that it might work. With all of that and probably more buzzing in his head, he went for it. Some of those assumptions (made by multiple governments) turned out to be inaccurate. Iraq has not been as quick a victory as many had hoped for. Though unlike many, I believe it is not a lost cause. It's to soon to judge whether Iraq is/was a success or failure. To much is still on the table to judge either way. Was the war in Iraq necessary? The jury is still out.
2. If you agree with XxXScRAtcHXxX, than I am assuming by friends you mean Bush's allies in the Middle East. Now that I think about this, it seems like a bit of a moot point to me. If Bush's plan furthers both his country and allies abroad, I don't see much of a problem.
3. Until we see some hint of an end, good or bad, I'll keep my judgements about death toll on the back burner. Basically that boils down to: If the lives benefitted outnumber the lives lost, it is justifiable. If it goes the other way, it is ludicrous and unjustifiable. However, seeing as Iraq is not yet on the final stretch (a self supporting democracy) it can't be asserted whether it's worthwhile or not.
4. See my opening paragraph. I'm not going to peruse the Katrina debate because I know (rather 90% sure) you are not serious. I'll let it go unless to want to go there.
5. Also see my opening paragraph. The US has free press and they can report whatever they want. My guess is the omission of some things from the news is part of the ratings game. News sources are run like businesses, but that is another huge debate entirely. If you want to go here, I will.
I'm not a bully. I'm making sure you are knowledgeable and can support what you say. If you can't support your claims people will not listen to you, regardless if you are right or not. I just get sick of seeing kids that go on and on about that same crap but never explain it in any depth. That was true in highschool, it is true in college, and it is true on NS. Lack of foundation supports ignorance. Personally, I'd like less stupid people running around in the world.
As for gay marriage, I'm for civil unions. I can go here too if you wish.