On "The Situation Room" today, we asked viewers the following questions, and here are some of our favorite responses that we didn't get to read on air:

Does Congress deserve to take off the month of August?

Yes, it will be a preview of what it will be like for many of them after the elections in November when they no longer will be members of Congress. I agree with you, Jack, this bunch does more harm than good when they are in session. It's best for the country that they get out of town.
John, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Jack, I am so discouraged by our entire government. I never thought I'd ever say this, but our government is dangerous. I was relieved to hear that they are going to be out of Washington for 5 weeks. At last we get some good news!
Chef, Richmond, Virginia

My answer to that is easy: Hell no! I'm a teacher, and work two jobs just to make ends meet, and even when school is out, I have to work. Congress, already grossly over-paid, does not need to be off all month.
James, West Virginia

Definitely, Congress deserves a long August break and we as citizens deserve a break from them. If we're lucky, perhaps they won't come back at all.
Berdyne, Vero Beach, Florida

Is it a mistake for the U.S. and Britain not to push for an immediate cease-fire?

An immediate cease-fire will only help the bad guys. It allows Hezbollah time to regroup and re-arm. A cease-fire has never brought lasting peace in the entire history of the world. Only a convincing victory at the end of a real war has brought lasting peace. Let Israel do its job; they are doing the U.S. and the rest of the free world a huge favor by dealing so decisively with Hezbollah.
Russ, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Yes, the longer the conflict goes on, the more world opinion turns against Israel and the U.S. - which hurts the war on terror, while moderates become radicalized, and Hezbollah's recruitment of militants grows exponentially.
Greg, Aurora, Colorado

Yes. By definition, a cease-fire saves lives and property. People live who would otherwise die. Divide the total number of mangled and dead on both sides by the number of war-days, and that's how many people could be saved tomorrow.
Dave, Vancouver

Yes, it is a huge mistake not to push for an immediate cease-fire. Not doing so shows the moral bankruptcy of this administration and certainly is increasing the ranks of those who are against the U.S.
Warren, Los Angeles, California

I think a cease-fire without getting the job done against Hezbollah would be a big loss for democracy and the free world. Let Israel destroy Hezbollah before any cease-fire.
J.F., Montreal, Quebec

How much longer do you think U.S. troops will be in Iraq?

You must be crazy to think that U.S. troops are leaving Iraq anytime soon. As violence increases, the chances of seeing U.S. troops coming back home decreases. It is as simple as that.
Jason, Cairo, Egypt

I am in the U.S. Navy. I think that our troops need to be there as long as it takes.
Gregory, Oak Harbor, Washington

If we are lucky, perhaps troops will be leaving after the country speaks next Election Day. Otherwise, not until we get us a new President.
Ralph, New York

That's an easy question, Jack. We've already built permanent bases there. So basically, as long as the Iraqis will tolerate U.S. troops in their country.
Denise, Tampa

I can see my grandkids being deployed to Iraq. We're not getting out of there any time soon, no matter what the neo-cons say. Had we gone in there at the beginning like we were supposed to, we'd be finished there now. But no, we had to do it on the cheap.
Dan, Portland, Oregon