While we have all argued over the merits of leaving Iraq, vs. the dangers of staying, has anyone considered the costs of pulling out?
What would the reaction of the Chinese, North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, or any of the terrorist organizations that cannot see a pull out as ANYTHING but an "appeasement". As Martin Sheen said on The West Wing, a couple of seasons ago, when considering his first veto. He was asked, "If the other party overrides this won't we appear weak?" His answer was, "No WE'LL BE weak!"
The only think more damaging than pulling out would be if we got KICKED out. Our ONLY prayer of SURVIVING this mess anymore is if chimpy stays the course until Kerry takes over the helm, and at that point Kerry better really pull a miracle out of his butt or we are screwed but good.
If we show china, that we cannot even manage a REGIONAL conflict, OF OUR OWN MAKING, they are going to make our life a REAL hell. Korea will certainly see it as us being too weak to oppose them, Pakistan will go back to openly baiting India, and we will lose any minor threat we hold over the Middle East.
And, the terrorists that started this whole mess will KNOW us for a paper Tiger. There will be MORE terrorist attacks, and soon.
Mr. TeK