238240:

The contrast of course is MOVABLE CONSERVATIVE GOALPOSTS: Usually of the "as soon as _____, then things will get better." As soon as we capture Baghdad. As soon as we get Saddam. As soon as we transfer sovereignty. As soon as there is an election. As soon as there is a Constitution. As soon as there is a final election.

Well guess what? We have gotten to the end of the incrimental political goals. We will now see if the White House and Conservatives are right. No more "as soon as" in the future. It is put up or shut up time.

My money is on it not getting any better because in my view the whole "as soon as" has been rationalization for a refusal to see the truth -- which is that it is not going to get any better until the Iraqis want it to and (a) at the moment there are significant numbers who don't and (b) there ain't a damned thing we can do about it.

The self-described central front in the war on terror is firmly in the hands of the Iraqis and we are now depending on THEM for our victory. I would not even want to depend on them to remember to breath correctly. F*^k the sh&*heads who put us in this position.