Rumsfeld: What we've gained in Iraq

[mburbank]

See, I'm very cyncial about this. I'd be over the moon happy to see myself proven wrong, and I'm not kidding about that.

Everybody says them in a room together is meaningful all on it's own, or at least it's better than nothing. I think until something useful comes out of that room, it's the same as nothing, AND I don't think us being there right now makes them more likely to be in the room.

They not only have to form a unity government, they have to actualy work together, actually abide by their constitution, actually enforce action of some kind if their constitution is violated, AND convey all the to the people and make it stick in the face of ongoing organized violence. A very tall order, but not impossible, and worthy.

Here's my key issue. Not only do I think our presence helps the possability that this tll ordr could be accomplished, I do not see how our continued presence does anything but lessen the chances of it's scusses.

What action do we take that helps this goal and doesn't hinder it? Anyone we kill with american munitions is a martyr. The people we accidentally kill in the process are gasoline on the fire. Anyone we back is an American pawn. We are building massive, fortified bases that Iraqis have to look at and think 'These guys are never leaving'.

Our stick works against us as much as for us. Our carrots can be offered without a massive occupying force. As long as we are their, we are a rallying point for extremism. 'Lets go kill the invading infidel and the betraying cur that ally themselves with them.' is a very powerful draw.