April 19, 2007 6:41 AM

There Are Some Problems a War Can't Solve

This has been a difficult week. The terrible shooting in Virginia frightens us and we wonder what steps -- if any -- could have prevented this horror.

We hear news of 171 deaths in a single day in Baghdad. There are no easy answers to end that violence.

The Supreme Court hands down a reactionary decision -- we can no longer rely on courts to overrule bad legislation, and how we fight the ruling becomes more complicated

In New Jersey, a Governor who has faced down opponents in both parties and triumphed in commerce and politics, lies prone from a car accident, leaving his State's course uncertain.

None of these challenges have easy answers...but it's clear that more bombs wouldn't have stopped a deranged gunman, isn't the right recourse to a misguided court, couldn't have kept Corzine's car on the road, and hasn't helped quell the carnage in Iraq.

There are some problems that a war can't solve.

The war in Iraq hasn't fixed the world. It distracts attention and resources from complicated challenges. And it's emblematic of a President who keeps trying to bomb his way to solutions...and instead, just keeps bombing.

It's time to end this Occupation. Then we need to get serious about healing and helping this world.