These two stories should make every American citizen finally come to grips with the fact that words have meaning and elections matter.  The WSJ Opinion piece and the column by Daniel Henninger show how the United States is raising the white flag in the war on terror.  Sure we still have troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places, but the actions of our government leaders are undermining the defense of our country.  It appears to be 'Mission Accomplished' for President Obama since he promised to end the war during his campaign.  But as Henninger chillingly points out, "The war on terror is being downgraded to not much more than tough talk. Al Qaeda, the Taliban and the Iranians, not yet converts to the West's caricature of its own legal traditions, will take note. In time, they will be back. The second war on terror is in the future."  I fear he may be correct.