Tom, then let’s discuss truly viable options. You’ve held the ‘line’, but what would you do differently?

As a Citizen you’ve the right, and responsibility to speak your mind.

This is how our Republic was built, formed, has held together. Through debate between the Citizenry that translates into political action as the majority opinion reaches the Political arena. Yes this is simply a discussion board on the internet, but it is a microcosm of the Country at large. A tiny sample of the interaction of American Citizens that is vital to continuing the Republic.

From where I sit there aren’t many options in Iraq, most of which are not tenable positions.

Keep things the way they are, obviously not working. The level and sophistication of violence is ramping up slowly. While many do not see this as a civil war, it’s so close the difference isn’t enough to avoid the term. We took the lid off the pressure pot of the artificial entity that was Iraq. In doing so exposing ancient hatreds, ancient rivalries, simmering religious and tribal frictions.

The lid came off a lot faster than anyone expected, now we have boiling acid on the floor, walls and ceiling.

Withdraw completely, that wouldn’t be wise, nor very smart. Firstly, if we pick up our marbles and come home the entire region would rapidly descend in chaos, and I can guarantee you we would not like the end result. The growth of lunatic religious fanatical fringes that would gain enormous power and devoted following would be far beyond whatever we’ve seen to date. Their reach would spread out across the world to exact ‘revenge’ for injustices, perceived or real. This backwash is too terrible to contemplate, with the resources available within the region a few maniacs with civilian aircraft would be nothing compared to what horrors could be committed. With Money, and sympathetic regional Governmental support, availability of truly frightening weapons is inevitable. (A ten Kton nuke in the Seattle Harbor? Weaponised genetically engineered Smallpox leftover from the Soviet Bioweapons programs? Google Sergia Popov, Tajikistan, Genetic Engineering, Smallpox)

What would happen if the region transformed into a center of Racial and Religious lunacy? How long would it be before they cut off the oil? China wants more, is willing to buy it. India wants more, is willing to buy it.

What would happen if our petroleum tap gets turned off? This entire country would grind to a halt, the economy would collapse, people would literally starve in the midst of all those gew-gaws they charged to their American Express card. (The alternate energy debate is another subject for another discussion. But I will point out it will take years, even decades to change us over.)

We did break it, now we have to patch it up, and purely military force isn’t working. Even you have to admit to that.

The only way it’s going to work is if we wade in and get down to the dirty political work that has to be done. We used a sledgehammer to crack the nut, and now we’re trying to pick the meat out of the slivers. Mistakes were made, very serious mistakes, and it’s going to take an awful lot of very hard work to undo them. And it’s going to cost us, in wealth, material and sadly, lives on both sides.

If you choose to avoid discussion, so be it, but I have to point out that simply toeing the line hasn’t worked. I will say this much, the situation in Country isn't a bad as some say, nor as good as others say.

Admitting one has been very publically wrong is one of the most difficult things anyone can do.

But that’s what adults do, examine the facts, and keep an open mind. And change their stance as the facts dictate. It isn’t flip-flopping, it’s admitting that you have enough intelligence to think for yourself.

Which is what I did, keep track of the facts from a great number of sources, and decided.