So we agree that addressing Rumsfeld's failure to re-evaluate is beyond addressing? Rumsfeld's gone, after all.
And we agree that addressing Bush's failure to fire Rumsfeld earlier is beyond addressing because, albeit too late, he finally fired him?
The consequences will last a long time; they always do.
Which leaves us with what to do now. The realist in me says given the current makeup of Congress, full withdrawal is less than a year away. I don't think we can "fix" it in a year. Given that... go now.
We cannot get the infrastructure rebuilt in a year. Yep, they did a crappo job of that and only paid way more than they should have for 1st quality. I'm sure the graft numbers would make even an American CEO blush.
We can't stop the sectarian infighting either. I think the only way to do that would be to convince them they we are NOT leaving and start using an "iron hand" on those who would have civil war. That means taking out Sadr. Not gonna happen.
So we broke it, we blew the fixing it part and now the makeup of Congress dictates a sooner rather than later exit. That's how I see the situation and therefore I vote sooner. No point in dragging this out. We can't fix it and they want a civil war. Might as well make everyone happy and no point losing more American troops in a fight we have no intention of sticking out until the end.
Webb? I had read his books a long time ago. I watched his SotU reply. Then I got to researching things he's saying now versus what he said in the past and the transformation suprised me. He truly is just another weasel politician and I think that needs highlighting. The Fox interview is just his latest example of weasling and marks him as no different than Pelosi et al.
As for lunch, Otto and I have been doing a few down in Westport. I'll let you know when we set up the next one. Ever been to McCoy's? Otto thinks they have the world's best macaroni and cheese.