Long view / The debate over Iraq revives the ghost of Vietnam

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05238/560166.stm

Forget all the talk about American troop withdrawals if Iraq can draft a constitution and hold elections later this year. Rather than determining the best exit strategy, the Pentagon is deciding how to manage its forces there at current levels for at least four more years.

This news comes from Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army's top officer, who says it's a "worst case" scenario. Given the alarming lack of grasp on Iraqi security by the United States' occupying force, we would say the general is far too optimistic.

American troops -- some 138,000 are on the ground there now -- have been unable to maintain security for themselves or the Iraqi people, and there are few signs that Iraqi forces can be trained and equipped to stand on their own any time soon. As a result, daily attacks by insurgents have escalated and deaths of U.S. soldiers continue their steady climb toward 1,900 and beyond. Now even politicians from his own Republican Party are casting doubt on President Bush's pleas to support the war.

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Like it or not, the administration needs to embark on an active disengagement strategy now, even if it isn't advertised as such. Saving face isn't as important as sparing the nation another lengthy and fruitless political and military quagmire, paid in blood and treasure for generations to come.

[Erika]

1. So much for his legacy

We'll see what his ego allows him to do.

[babylonsister]

2. How fucking disgusting. But we know/knew that, didn't we?

And they keep on with their endless spin about how we have to keep on keeping on, when it's a done deal, and it will never turn out the way they envisioned because they never even thought about it. These guys are running our country...into the ground!