Optimism doesn't bring our boys home

[unhappycamper]

Optimism doesn't bring our boys home
By Vicki Woods
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 15/09/2007


When I sat transfixed in front of my kitchen telly on September 11, 2001, I thought the conflict that would inevitably follow would see me out. I still think it will, six years later.

Last week, when President George Bush addressed the American nation about the Report on the Surge, he all but said that Operation Iraqi Freedom will henceforward be known as Operation Enduring Relationship with the Iraqi People.

An armed enduring relationship, which (he says) "requires many fewer American troops" and "has the support of Iraqi leaders from all communities". In other words, it will see him out.

President Bush needs to ignore the calls from nervy Washington politicians to get the troops out. He can't get them out because they haven't won yet. He badly needs to win his war in Iraq.

If that's impossible (which it is) he badly needs not to be seen losing it. If he can keep going - tight-lipped, reporting "progress" - he can then hand it over, gift-wrapped, to his successor in November 2008. Let him damn well lose it! (Or her - though I still don't think it will be her.)

~snip~

Petraeus sees hope in Iraq. But he also sees that America will be in Iraq for a long chunk of the 21st century. What I wonder is: will we?

Rest of article at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/09/15/do1503.xml