This has to be said. None of us know rationale behind the President's Afghanistan strategy - we don't even have the full details about what that strategy is. Yet, many people on this site are already condemning it. We can do better than that.
There are a lot of thoughtful diaries outlining concerns about Afghanistan, and I appreciate the dialog. Many concerns are valid, and people are hoping to avoid another Vietnam in the 'graveyard of empires.'
Indeed, there are many parallels to Vietnam. The Karzai government is not operational and is unpopular, the enemy knows what we will leave, we have had no coherent strategy throughout the whole country, and there is a disturbing lack of coordination among our government agencies.
But we are not the only ones privy to that information. President Obama knows all of this - and more. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt, and allow him the opportunity to explain how he came to his decision before judging the man.
It is foolish and effusively emotional thinking to come to a conclusion without first having all of the information. Would you claim to be a doctor after having read a few medical textbooks? No, you would not.
Let's listen to the President tonight, and then have some informed debate.