Do we need a Timetable in Iraq?

[catbirdseat]

I heard a discussion this morning on the radio between opposing view points regarding the need for declaring a timetable for pulling US troops out of Iraq. One side declared that we should pull them out when conditions are right. The other side said that we set dates for both the establishment of interim government and for elections. We should do the same for withdrawl.

 

In my opionion, not setting a date for withdrawl puts us in the position of letting the insurgency dictating what we do. Furthermore, it allows the new Iraqi government to think they can use us indefinitely. If they KNOW we are going to be gone by a certain date, you better believe they will have an incentive to have their defense forces trained and ready in time.

 

Lastly, setting a date makes a statement to the Islamic World that we are sincere about allowing the Iraqis to govern themselves.

[catbirdseat]

Where the f--- is j_b, this is right up his alley. It's all they are talking about today. Instead all we're talking about is windshirts.

[Jim]

As much as I was against this action in the first place, we stirred up the hornets and should not pull out until things are reasonably stable - whatever that means. Ultimately it will likely come down to some combination of the public's weariness, Karl Rove's political calculations, and growing resentment in Iraq.

[Ireneo_Funes]

Is wind a concern in Iraq?

 

What would be better for a member of a neocolonial occupying force to have while camping out in the middle of a godforsaken desert or bombed-out city full of people with guns and pipe bombs who hate you -- the Patagonia or the Wild Things?

 

What kind of windshirt should one wear while declaring "Mission Accomplished" on the deck of an aircraft carrier?

[bunglehead]

Definitely the Wild Things. The Kevlar windshirt.