Reply #4: It might be good politics, but it's still not leveling with us

[bigtree]

There will be no 'success' in Iraq. The entire escapade has been a national disgrace that has hurt us worldwide and made us less secure here at home. All of this talk of elections and victory there may be politically in tune with getting our troops out of there, but I still don't think you can get any reality into our stance there without the truth. Bush doesn't intend to pull out any more than he is forced to, politically. I don't think any approach short of withdrawal is compatible with the political goals stated by both Bush and Kerry. Our military is being drawn deeper and deeper into the internal politics of Iraqis.

Outside help? I don't see it. Listen, I don't think it will make a positive difference in Iraq if we leave now or at a later date, except in lives lost, both American and Iraqi lives lost. The heavy hand of our occupation can only serve to further destabilize the situation on the ground and undermine any true reconciliation between parties that may or may not materialize from the recent power sharing agreements or future elections.

Do you actually believe that they will achieve any of these 'benchmarks' that have been presented as conditions for our withdrawal? There's gonna have to be some kind of creative accounting there.