[68skylark]

Yeah, we'd all love for the Iraqi people to run their own country in a civilized way. Even if they're only semi-successful, I think we could accept that and be happy. But from the time of the victory over Saddam until some time in the next 5-10 years, they'll need our help running the place. And we haven't done all that great. The troops on the ground seem to have performed magnificantly for the most part. But it seems there have been too few troops, and too many bureaucratic delays from military and civilian authorities back here at home.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

The help they will need from us from 1 to 5 years out is a military force strong enough to dissuade any attempt by one group to impose their will through military means.