Since we've assumed responsibility for Iraq, we've gotta do it right.

Tom posted a day or two ago about how the actual costs (so far) are below some left-wing predictions...but is that simply because we're "nickel and diming" both the Iraqis and our own troops to death (literally)?

It's been suggested that the real reason for invading Iraq was to make sure the war against Al Quada et al was fought in Baghdad instead of New York. If that's true, it seems to me that the stakes are still every bit as high...losing Iraq to chaos will carry a terrible price.

So if it costs $80B, or $280B, so be it. We've started down this road and there's no safe way to turn back.

And yes, imho, we owe the Iraqi people a stable and safe country.