Top 10 of '07

In reviewing the Rocky Mountain News' 48 choices for top 10 stories of the year (It's the readers' turn - 12/22/07), the only one presented with a qualifying "but" was * U.S. troop surge in Iraq takes effect: violence drops but does not halt. Where was the * Nancy Pelosi elected first female speaker of the house, BUT accomplishes almost nothing? How about * President, Democrat-led Congress at odds over health coverage, Iraq, spending, BUT Bush prevails? How come I couldn't find * Alberto Gonzales quits as attorney general after string of controversies, BUT allegations of wrong-doing go unsubstantiated and unproven? Did I miss * Iran spars with international community over its nuclear program, BUT continues to hide its facilities and threaten Israel's existence? What happened to * Political crisis in Pakistan: Musharraf declares state of emergency, BUT cancels it six weeks later and honors pledge to resigns army post? Where did * Afghan war:deadliest year since 2001, BUT NATO/government forces prevail in every battle with Taliban go? Where was * Palestinians feud among themselves heading toward peace talks with Israel, BUT continue to fire rockets at Jewish settlements and hold kidnapped soldiers? What about *Oil prices soar worldwide, BUT average cost/gal. of unleaded gas same as 2004 - 2005 and below 2006? How about *Attempt to forge compromise on illegal immigration collapses in Congress, BUT political consensus to secure borders first strengthens? These are my top 10 the way they should have been presented, BUT without doubt, the defeat of Al-Qaeda in Iraq by American/Iraqi troops was the best story of 2007.