You may not be aware of this fact, but the U.S. and coalition forces fighting in Iraq cannot win this war. Not because our soldiers aren't smart enough, skilled enough, or strong enough. But mainly because no one in the Bush Administration will admit that there is no way to defeat an enemy who has so much to lose.

If this had been a traditional war -- pitting our advanced weaponry against the enemy's higher echelon of artillery -- the story would be much different. But this isn't a traditional war and the seemingly unorganized insurgency is no traditional foe. They have an undying desire to preserve something they feel is being threatened and no amount of money, oil, or planned democracy will keep them from fighting. They believe that they're defending their holy rights and almost all of them possess an attribute many in the U.S. and Europe do not have -- patience.

We will eventually run out of money. We will eventually realize that our reputation in the region has been tainted, if not totally destroyed. We will eventually become dispirited when the numbers of dead soldiers and marines reach 6500 or more. Sadly -- it may take all of these occurences to bring an this conflict to an end.

Anger and opposition to the war continues to swirl around the debate table where prospective Democratic and Republican presidential nominees are seated. The Dems continue to oppose the war, arguing that the Bush administrations' plans have backfired. Republican party members have stated their concerns over the misguided premise for going to war, with many placing blame squarely on former CIA Director George Tenet and a batch of failed intelligence.

But no one seems to have a certifiable solution for ending the war. Walking away may induce more violence and staying is not feasible. We have become so ingrained and intertwined within a civil, cultural and religious battle -- we're not even aware of it's overreaching consequences. The Bush administrations' attempts to change the hearts and minds of people who do not wish to be changed -- is a battle we cannot win.

Bush has already shown the Democrats and the American people that he will reject any bill or legislation containing a timetable for troop withdrawals. The President eventually signed a bill that would pay for military operations in Iraq, but it did not include paying for bringing troops home -- something the Democrats desperately wanted.

The failure of this bill is viewed as a loss by the Democrats, and may be one of many symbolic examples of how we continue to play the role of loser in this war. We offer - they decline - we pursue -- we lose.

Cinda Sheehan, the mother of a fallen U.S. soldier and critic of the war, called off her long-time anti-war activism this past week. Sheehan received national attention when she camped outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, throughout August 2005 to demand a meeting with the president over her son's death.

She was ignored.

Low on money, battling healthcare bills, and recovering from a failed marriage due to her peace movement -- Sheehan is one of many parents who has lost sons and daughters to the war. She has lost faith in her government's ability to value peace and life over politics and money. She no longer wishes to pursue a fight in which most of us would feel powerless.

We lose.

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