The Vietnamization of Iraq - On Today's Press Conference

They still call it "the liberation of Iraq" and "the defining challenge of our era."

They used to say timetable was a dirty word but now they say "Success in Iraq is possible and can be achieved on a realistic timetable."

They call the corrupt government "a beacon for the entire Middle East."

They use euphemisms like adapt and adjust, as well as assess and alter.

Then they tap each other's back and say, "we have continuously adapted to stay ahead of the enemy and to ensure that our service men and women have the proper tools and support they need to accomplish their missions."

They talk about 12 to 18 months.

But we all know what's really going on here, don't we?

For a moment, we can at least be content knowing we were right all along: that the Iraq war was a terrible idea and that maybe humanity has learned that wars in general cannot be won in this age. But two points need to be clear:

1. Iran is mentioned five times and Syria seven times. Our generals have learned nothing, and they seem to be eager to continue their crusade.
2. People are still dying for nothing, and will continue to die for nothing while the US is in Iraq. We can't wait 12-18 months. Like Kerry said before he became a politician and had to be more careful not to upset anyone,

How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?

And finally, many people are torn. Is Bush an idiot or a madman? Are we experiencing another Vietnam-era tactic resurgence, namely, the Madman Theory?