You can always find a big issue of the day that someone was wrong about. Citing that issue as a valid reason never to listen to that person is an excuse, not a strategy for getting things right.

OW: The situation is not salvageable and all we’re doing is losing lives to prop up egos and hubris. Out, out, out is the only way we can finally fight terrorism.

That’s not what these six Generals are saying:

…Batiste and his colleagues offered their solution: more troops, more money and more time in Iraq.

“We must mobilize our country for a protracted challenge,” Batiste warned.

“We better be planning for at least a minimum of a decade or longer,” contributed retired Marine Col. Thomas Hammes.

“We are, conservatively, 60,000 soldiers short,” added retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who was in charge of building the Iraqi Security Forces.

You remember these Generals, don’t you? They are the military experts brought into hearings by the Democratic leadership to criticize Rumsfeld’s and Bush’s handling of the war.

Also from the article:

…the relatively hawkish Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), who, as the last questioner, invited the officers to comment on the effect of a specific withdrawal date.

“The result will be a civil war of some magnitude that will turn into a regional mess,” Batiste said without hesitation.

As he stood to leave, Batiste worried that this last point — the need to stay in Iraq — might be overlooked. “The hard part,” he told reporters, “is moving forward.”

Did he detect any enthusiasm for making a bigger effort in Iraq?

“God help us if there’s not,” the general said.

I suspect these six are more knowledgeable and in a better position to judge the potential outcome of a premature withdrawal than anyone commenting on this blog.

Besides, it appears that the majority of Americans don’t share your opinion about a speedy withdrawal:

…While a bare majority of 51 percent called the Democrats’ victory “a good thing,” even more said they were concerned about some of the actions a Democratic Congress might take, including 78 percent who were somewhat or very concerned that it would seek too hasty a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Some other interesting numbers from the poll:

…Another 69 percent said they were concerned that the new Congress would keep the administration “from doing what is necessary to combat terrorism,” and two-thirds said they were concerned it would spend too much time investigating the administration and Republican scandals.

Leave. Do not say good bye. Start the movement toward the boats as quickly as a rear-guard can be arranged to cover it.

There is nothing that can be done to militarily improve the situation. Let’s stop wasting money and killing people, since we CAN accomplish that “mission” by leaving.

Be honest OW, is it Marshall’s association with the DLC or with Lieberman that really has your panties in a bunch?

Out of curiosity, just who would you listen to for foreign policy advice?