Whatever happened to "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"? Or, for that matter, September 15? Or al-Maliki, saying the Iraqis could do it alone? Or the 12 to 18 months predicted early on?

BAGHDAD, July 15 — "An American general directing a major part of the offensive aimed at securing Baghdad said Sunday that it would take until next spring for the operation to succeed, and that an early American withdrawal would clear the way for “the enemy to come back” to areas now being cleared of insurgents."

Now, are these lying, deceitful, politicised bastards or are they simply pandering to the CinC and Bush?

Do their future promotions lie in the hands of people they are trying to please, or are they just trying to hang onto the stars they have until they retire?

One thing for sure - when the US leaves, whether itl be tomorrow, next year or in 10 years, anti-American elements will take over. And the only variables are how many people die, how much suffering is inflicted, and how much it costs until that happens.

Arf