Originally Posted by: LeedoggHow gruesome would the ensuing civil war be if America pulled out abruptly? If we stay, how many more years would it take to impose a "democratic" and sustainable government there? 5, 10, 20 more years?

Do you think Bush is trying to maintain the status quo as much as possible so that on Jan. 20, 2009 he can pass his mess off to the next guy?

Well, that's the problem. We can't leave and we can't stay with the current mentality. It's either all or nothing at this point. It pains me to say this but I think we're in this one for at least the next 5 to 10 years. And even then, who knows?