My case against Dubya's speech, and for just leaving Iraq

[norml]

I'd make the case that Dubya's speech was dishonest, in that there's no intention to ever leave Iraq. Their intention is to use it as a base for operations in the region.

I'd make the case that we should just leave Iraq. Turn it over to the UN, under whatever terms they'll take it. Let them show us how it's done.

Turn it over to the local Iraqi groups. Let them rebuild and keep order in their own neighborhoods.

Most of those we're fighting in Iraq fight each other, as well as fighting any outsiders who've come into their country.

Most of those we're fighting were not just about to get on a plane to come here to kill people.

There have been places we've left where leaving turned out to be the best thing to do to restore order, and to remove the threat.

Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, these were places where there was no good reason to stay. We left these places and things worked out for the best. Would you want to reinvade any of them?

Playing America World Police comes with a cost that warrants a cost benefit analysis. There comes a time to stop throwing good money after bad, and to get out of Dodge.

[many a good man]

1. I say let's apply the common sense rule

In the past year things have gotten worse, not better. Maybe our presence is making things worse. Maybe it is the thing that's fueling the insurgents' ire. Maybe if we leave things will get better. After all, the people can't really like living the way things are. If we leave maybe they will turn on the insurgents and things will get better.

Here's an idea: let's talk a bunch of other nations to come to Iraq and help us patrol the borders. We withdraw to the borders to prevent other a**holes from coming in and stoking the fires. Let the people work it out themselves. There's bound to be violence and bloodshed but keeping out other troublemakers should reduce the risk. Everyone will be able to provide humanitarian assistance until some kind of equilibrium is reached. When it finally settles down we all get the hell out.