in my opinion is to level with the world and let them know we're in a quandary. Tell them publicly that there simply is no plan with any real chance of success left. Bush needs to fly into Baghdad, get on Iraqi TV, Al Jazeera, and any other media outlets that are watched and listened to heavily by diverse groups and apologize for the failure. He can use whatever justification he needs to feel right about his decisions to invade but ultimately he, and he alone needs to face the "firing squad" in this and try to get America as a country off the hook.

I would imagine the speech would go something like this.

"I, George Bush, have let America and the world down. I convinced our government and our citizens that it was in the best interest of all involved to try to bring down a brutal and disliked dictator and to stabilize a section of the world that all countries depend on for their energy needs. I believed that the desire for freedom and democracy would overwhelm the thousands of years of history that has so divided this area if the proper seed was sown. I failed miserably in understanding that history and the deep cultural differences between our societies."

"So, I implore you all today to understand that our great country did what every other country does in times of turmoil. It trusted its leadership to show it the way. That leader failed them and I accept all responsibility for misleading them so. I ask you now to let them find their way back to reason and I beseech the rest of the world to help the Iraqi people put their nation back together."

"As of tomorrow, I and Dick Cheney will be stepping down as President and Vice President and the Speaker of the House will fill out my remaining term. Our team has lost the necessary credibility both within our country and the rest of the world to be effective in the difficult tasks we face. For the lives and limbs lost on both sides of this conflict I am deeply sorry and they will haunt me until the end of my days. Our country is both a compassionate and mighty one and will be as long as freedom and humanity have a place on this Earth. We are the most giving nation in history but right now we are the ones asking for help. As our forces leave Iraq there will be a vacuum that must be filled and only the other nations of the world can help ensure that process doesn't end in chaos."

I truly think that the only way the tension can be diffused quickly is by a bold action as this one. Someone has to fall to win back hearts and minds and that's exactly what we're battling now. It would also be the one act that Bush could do to save his legacy. Of course there'll be people that dismiss this completely but they have no other options themselves, simply more of the same.

Art