Setting the Stage

We've cleaned House (so to speak). Now, let's set the stage:

There have been no domestic terrorist attacks since 9/11.

Unemployment is currently 4.4% including gains of 92,000 jobs in October, 148,000 jobs in September, and 230,000 jobs in August. (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Dow Jones: 12,176.54 (+19.77), NASDAQ 2,384.94 (+9.06), S&P 500 1,385.72 (+2.88)
A barrel of oil: $59.83 (+0.90)
A gallon of gas in the USA: $2.21
A gallon of gas in NY State: $2.37

Iraq is a mess. Al Qaeda is in Iraq, attempting to de-stabilize the government. Saddam has been convicted of crimes against humanity and Iran is acting through Shite militias to de-stabilize the government.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is offering to hold talks with Taliban leaders. And members of the same Taliban/Al-Qaeda alliance are threatening the Pakistani government on a nearly daily basis and on some days, killing dozens.

Al Qaeda activity in both of these regions is in following with their agenda of overthrowing non-Islamic Regimes in Muslim majority nations as part of an effort to bring about the formation of 'The Caliphate'. A state ruled by Sharia Law. (CS Monitor, Daniel Pipes)

EDIT: Forgot one thing: From AP via Yahoo, Hamas is now calling on Muslims to attack Americans.

What will a post a year from now look like?