Should Congressional Democrats demand that Coalition military operations cease immediately? (POLL)

Congressional Democrats should start demanding that all coalition military operations cease and that all coalition forces return to their bases.

It is time to cut our losses. Bush has already lost Iraq. Even if the current campaign to suppress the uprising succeeds, the events of the past few days ensure that Iraqis will never accept the government that the US installs as legitimate, so it will never be stable. The longer this path of folly is pursued, the more US interests will be irreparably damaged.

Once military operations have ceased, negotiations should be started with the relevant representatives of Sunni and Shiah religious bodies. The US should admit that the Governing Council has no legal authority, and abandon the Provisional Constitution.

According to international law, an occupying power must take all measures to protect the lives of civilians. Shooting three missiles into a mosque to provide air support for Marines who aren't pinned down, but simply can't advance further, does not qualify. This is a war crime.

The way the US is pursuing the current military campaign is completely inconsistent with how an occupying power must behave, and cannot but further damage the US's international reputation and standing. Unless Democrats distance themselves from the Bush regimes' war atrocities, the US will truly become a pariah state.