[Hank Rearden]

What we NEED are Iraqi security forces that can help patrol the streets that are reliable.

No, we don't need that, they do. The Iraqis.

If they don't want a freer country, we certainly can't impose one on them. We remove threats to our interests (pretty much done), make sure future threats are contained and suppressed - then get the hell out and let the Iraqis set the course for their country.

The whole Fallujah story is demonstrating how ridiculous our efforts are becoming. If we have no interest in even avenging harm done to us, why are we staying? What's the point?

[jpsb]

The get the hell out argument is becoming more persuasive everyday. We all know that the real enemy is radical Islam, so if we leave we will have to return. But if we are not going to fight the enemy and try to build a nation that Iraqis do not seem to want, what is the point of staying their?

Not sold on this argument yet, but it is a valid argument. Iran will soon have nukes, will patistan, which has nukes remain secular? Is any of this our business? Fortress America looking better and better every day.

[johnb838]

I say the least they owe us is to allow us to keep some bases there betweem Syria and Iran. If they don't want us in Fallujah, fine, but we have to keep an eye on it because we can't let Iraq become an exporter of terrorism again.