[mburbank]

Uh uh chumly. You give it up on what you think an armed united states military is doing that helps more than it hinders TODAY, or tomorrow or in te near future. Not what we may or may not have accomplished. How does it help keep Iraq stable for us to stay, and don't just make vague analogies (If I just say 'this is just like Vietnam' I don't think you'd concider it a very forceful argument. Although there certainly are some similarities). Tell me what you think our soldiers can do at ths point. 'It will get worse' doesn't work either, unless you say worse in what way and how we'd prevent it, or try to. If it's just encouragement, why not leave (or get) a diplomatic core and enough soldiers to protect them. What are we going to do with guns, bombs and bodies that helps?

Answer that (and then ask a question about sistani instead of asking 'what I think of him) and I'll let you know. Now I'm gonna scoot over to te spcial thread I made for you and see what Bon Mot you've coughed up.