While most Democrats and some Republicans are calling for near
instantaneous withdrawal, interestingly, Jimmy Carter stated on TV the
other night that he felt that it was essential to hang in there at
least until the nation was stabilized and could be dependably defended
against insurgencies by those opposed to the popularly elected
government. Frankly, while I seriously question our original motives
to go to Iraq, I also think it would be goofy to leave it in its
current state of disarray - I cannot see that it would be to anyone's
good to do this.

I also think it essential for the world to see this, and to lend an
appropriate hand. They can bluster all they want about it being the
U.S.'s fault, but it is now everyone's problem, and many hands make
light work.

Bruce Jensen