Former senior domestic policy analyst under President Reagan and best-selling conservative author Dinesh D'Souza brought both credentials and a spirited "anti-anti-American" message to an audience of about 60 in Osmond last night.

"There is only one way we can lose: Lose the war in the American mind," said D'Souza of the United States military efforts in Iraq.

D'Souza's return to University Park, sponsored by The Penn State Young Americans for Freedom, was in support of his most recent book, What's So Great About America, a premise that proved the crux of his hour-long presentation.

Beginning the speech with a favorite joke of former colleague Reagan, D'Souza proceeded by attempting to dispel common catch-all terms used in reporting on the conflict in Iraq, as well as rebutting oft-used reasons by both parties for the invasion.

"This is no more a war against terrorism as World War II was a war against kamikazi-ism," he said.

D'Souza then attempted to explain the ideological differences that led to the current situation between the United States and the Middle East by outlining what makes America both "the most attractive country on the planet, but to some the most repulsive."

Citing his own experience as an Indian immigrating to America, D'Souza stressed that "the self-directed life," rather than economic opportunity, promised by America was what made it most appealing to a middle-class boy who lived halfway across the world.

D'Souza parlayed this view of America as one that is not entirely out of step with the view held by the Muslim majority in Iraq.

He suggested instead that, despite an admitted error in judgment by President Bush in his handling of the war, the conflict in Iraq is winnable based on sheer numbers and that it is the American public with whom the real struggle is being wrought.

"The war of Iraq is waging right here, and it will be settled here in this debate," D'Souza said.

D'Souza ended the speech on a uniting note, evoking the great British philosopher Edmund Burke by saying the highest form of patriotism is "loving your country because not because it's yours, but because it's good." Following the speech, D'Souza commented on the historical distance from the attacks five years ago.

"The true memorial of 9/11 is seeing it through. It's not just tying a ribbon, it's addressing the fundamental [factors] that caused it to happen."