It is imperative of all of us to continue funding the training of Iraqi armed and police forces. We can not let our own brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces believe for a second that we have not the will to finish our mission.
Therefore, I propose that we avoid this nonsense of withdrawal or redeployment. We can not withdraw from our moral obligation to prepare Iraq to govern itself. In my modest proposal, staffed with approximately 8-10 well-trained Green Berets, Rangers, or SEAL troops, I believe we can advise the Iraqi Army to prepare itself for its eventual self-reliance.
These 8-10 troops should remain in country (housed at the US Embassy, most likely) and be made available to any Iraqi commander who, following proper diplomatic protocol, requests their guidance and support.
All other 135,000 American troops will remain in high-alert status, gaining force strength in either the United States or at our European/NATO bases, at the ready, providing logistical support or timely intelligence to these 8-10 military well-trained advisors.
George Bush, on many occasions, stated clearly that our goal is to help the Iraqi Army stand up so that we can stand down. That mission is not finished. We need these 8-10 effective advisors to pull the Iraqi Army to their feet, so that they can stand on their own.
This is a most sensible proposal. Only American trained personnel (approximately 8-10 service members) with the full force of the American military supporting them from US and European positions could accomplish this feat. To think otherwise -- that 8-10 well-trained advisors could not accomplish this mission -- is in my opinon, frankly, unpatriotic and defeatist.