Mission Accomplished

So this is why they tried to change the name to the "global struggle against violent extremism." It is so much easier to save face and say 'we're doing the best we can in the struggle' than have to say 'we lost the war because of incredibly bad planning and arrogance. Sorry about all your dead sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers.'

Three questions: If they are willing to announce to the entire world that troop withdrawals will begin in the spring, isn't that a flip flop on Dubya's claim that it would be aiding the enemy to set a timeline for withdrawals?

Also, if they already know that they can't realistically win, why stay until spring (outside of the fact that it will help Republicans win 2006 congressional races, which is as disgusting a reason as it is a true one) at the cost of billions of dollars and countless lives?

So, as a wise man once asked, how do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?

Alterman has a great take on this entitled Oooops, Sorry.

And Frank Rich wants someone to tell the President that the war is over.