Quote Originally Posted by Adrian II
The likely outcome of this impasse is, indeed, a quick and murky withdrawal that leaves nothing accomplished. Meanwhile on the ground America is dealing with enemies who profoundly appreciate that outcome. All they have left to ask for, really, is a timetable.
It's beginning to look like that to me, too. Some kind of clumsy, tragic Saigon evacuation redux.

If that happens, we forfeit any standing to even have a opinion on what happens in the rest of the world, for a generation. We should then sell our nuclear arsenal to Canada, cut our military manpower by 95%, turn the US Navy into a tuna boat fleet, apply for membership in the EU - and wait, with the rest of the world, crouching, quivering in the corner, for the next terrorist to say "BOO!".

And apologize to Iraq people for yet again giving them false hope. And apologize to America people for the disgusting waste of resource, and the sqandering of a world leadership position/opportunity on cheap floozy military adventures.

I almost wish my country's leadership would take up drinking again. Maybe then they'd remember what leadership is - we haven't seen it here for years.

Uh-oh; this turned into an off-topic rant. I'm sorry. With my own son in Iraq, my personal stake in the outcome of events there, and my boiling frustration with the dullards in DC, all got the best of me.

OK. So did the half-dozen beers.

I'll shut up now, and resume my "hope for the best, plan for the worst" persona tomorrow. Thanks for your time.