Folks, how many dots need to be connected for the media-formally-known-as-mainstream and the liberals to realize (a) we cannot cede Iraq to Al Qaeda by leaving without succeeding in our mission, and (b) Al Qaeda and Iraq are now one in the same in the Global War On Terror.

The word that NYC is hunkering down against 19 possible bombers planning an attack which was unearthed in Iraq should settle this issue once and for all:

Authorities stepped up security on the city’s mass transit system Thursday after receiving a credible threat that the New York City subway may be the target of a terrorist attack (search) in the coming days.

A NYPD source told FOX News that the threat involved 19 suitcase bombs to be placed in the subway system.
…
ABC News reported just before the press conference that intelligence learned of the threat after three Iraqi insurgents were arrested in a raid several days ago.

Let that sink in. If we have done what Rangel, Sheehan, Gore, Pelosi and others have been demanding – running away from Iraq – we probably would not have discovered this plot until it was too late.

Moreover, think about what kind of world we would be living in if we did run from Iraq and cede it to Zarqawi and Al Qaeda? There would be thousands planning sessions all over Iraq preparing jihadists to go out and attack the US.

The result? In the end we would have to go back in and retake Iraq and restart the process of cleansing it of terrorists.

This story simply dispells the suicidal theory we should cut and run from Iraq and Al Qaeda. The test for the media and the left is simple: will you still try and claim we should leave Iraq in light of this latest threat?

Here is Michelle Malkin’s post on this, which is sure to grow.

Here is the Jawa Report post, which should also grow with links soon.

Here is the story from ABCNews on the Iraq connection:

According to sources in intelligence, emergency services and police headquarters, the intelligence community developed information that the threat may have involved pharmacists from Iraq coming to New York for some kind of chemical attack targeting the subways.

Three insurgents, one or more of whom are pharmacists, were arrested during a raid by a U.S. military and intelligence community team, sources said, and one of those caught disclosed the threat. Because it slipped out during the arrest, the plot was deemed credible.

An interesting email warning people to avoid the subways for a few weeks at GOP and The City

Also more at Terrorism Unveiled, via Polipundit and The Counterterrorism Blog via Michelle.