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With Rummy gone, and President Bush apparently more than willing to kiss up to the Dems, I think the troops have every right to feel demoralized.

I'd say that by mid-summer 2007, the Dems in Congress will begin defunding and forcing the withdrawal of our forces from Iraq -- whether Iraq is ready or not. It would perfectly follow the template of their actions in Southeast Asia. IN 1973, Nixon pulled our troops out of Vietnam -- an "honorable peace" -- with an established SV government, and a "promise" from the Communist NV's not to invade. Just in case, Nixon made a non-aggression pact with the SV's, so that in case the Communists DID invade, we would re-engage and help SV.

Then came Watergate, impeachment, and Nixon's resignation. Ford, an unelected lame duck was powerless when the NV's invaded SV in 1975. He practically BEGGED the Democratic Congress to allow our troops some kind of intervention to help our allies, whom we had PROMISED to support. The Democrats said, "no," defunded all US military operations in SOutheast Asia, and we abandoned our allies -- the South Vietnamese.

Then the NVA invaded Laos, using biological and chemical warfare -- hundreds of thousands were killed. Then the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia -- MILLIONS were killed...

Expect Democrats -- DESPITE their "promises" -- to shoot for impeachment within the year, and to follow suit on defunding Iraq operation and handing over the Iraqi nation to Iran's Ayatollahs sometime shortly thereafter.

Then of course, just like Carter was elected in '76 because the American people didn't care, Hillary will be elected in '08 -- because the American People WON'T care.

With Rummy gone, and President Bush apparently more than willing to kiss up to the Dems, I think the troops have every right to feel demoralized.

I don't know if this was your intent or not, but don't blame Bush for Rumsfeld leaving. I think this was the plan all along in case Dems. took control of Congress because Rumsfeld knew he'd be subpoenaed constantly if these beasts took control and would be unable to do an effective job. He'd be spending all his time answering to Congress and not able to run the Pentagon without Carl Levin breathing down his neck. I think it was likely his idea to leave as a result.

But don't bet on Bush kissing up to the Dems. Much of what he's saying is p.r. to look like a graceful loser. The fight against these people will come later. But sometimes you have to snatch a small moral victory from the jaws of defeat by looking like a big man ready to take your lumps and to accept your losses. I think Bush looked good doing that. When you establish yourself as having been willing to work with the opposition, it A) Forces them to have to respond in kind and B) gives you much more credibility later on when they turn on the president and try to obstruct everything he does. Then he can with legitimacy tell Americans "Hey, I tried! But this is the Congress you saddled me with!"

I think you have nailed it! Also -- the MSM won't cover the bloodbath in Iraq any more than they did in SE asia.

One big difference: the military is now all-volunteer. I'd like to see the good, honest men and women in our military realize how they've been played and just quit.

Let ol' Lt. Colonel Anonymous take the point by himself (fat chance).

The American voters have proved that they are fat, dumb, and weak, with no stomach for a protracted fight and no willingness to make sacrifices. "Oh well, what's on TV tonight?"

Eff 'em.

I'm not saying they will or won't abondon the military via funds or withdrawal, but there is this to consider.

It might or will probably be political suicide for the Dems to do it. These people want to stay in power, and if they read the vote correctly, it was not a mandate at all to pull the troops out. Dems will want to stay in power, and don't want to shoot themselves in the foot. (No one does) This will only happen if they are read the vote for what it was.

It still sucks and is wrong, because it is NOT a security-minded, patriotic, or loyal reason to not abandon the troops. Its political.

I am sure that the dems will try, but I think they can be defeated. The current majority is not enough for them to pull it off, especially if we realy are the party of national security and our guys draw a line here.

However, I don't think 2008 will be like '76. I think it will be like '80 and '94. Each was one or two election cycles after a major defeat for conservatism, with Dems helping us with their incompetence during the intervening years.