There just doesn’t seem to be a great way out of here, but I know that reading a headline (for real) like the one above would start to give me hope… and, in spite of all the issues that it might create, would begin to create the conditions for real change — instead of continuing to slog on in fear of the things you mentioned.

I mean, no matter how many “surges” we go through, I don’t see things getting better. If we pull out, it won’t get better either. So — I hate to say it — but perhaps it’s time to remove the US splinter in the Middle East and let the locals begin the healing and recovery process on their own terms.

After reading this headline though and feeling what things *could* be like, I just don’t see how continued US involvement could really makes things better.

If we leave the troops there, thousands more will likely die and many middle eastern coutries will resent us for having troops there. But, our invasion of Iraq has absolutley destroyed the country’s infrastucture. Leaving now would likely result in the current situation for the Iraqi people becoming much worse. Then we’re the bad guy for leaving a nation half destroyed and helpless.

I think that best solution to get out of Iraq is to actually work with other nations. Distribute the job of rebuilding the infrastucture to the other nations, especially middle eastern countries. Then we can scale back our troops without leaving the country helpless.

Unfortunately, this solution would require that the US administration say 2 things that they’re unwilling to say. “We were wrong and we need help”