House Democrat Calls for Fast Withdrawal From Iraq

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-111705usiraq_lat,0,3712929.story?coll=la-home-headlines

"WASHINGTON — Signaling heightened opposition to the war in Iraq from a corner of long-standing support for the military, Rep. John Murtha, a conservative Pennsylvania Democrat, said today the United States should immediately begin to bring its troops home."

Some key facts: Murtha is a Vietnam War vet, was one of the original strong supporters of the Iraq invasion, has travelled to the Middle East to visit troops, and frequently visits injured troops who have been shipped home.

If he has made the decision that we need to leave soon, then he must have (a) VERY good reason(s).

"Our military has been fighting this war in Iraq for over two and a half years. Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. Our military captured Saddam Hussein, captured or killed his closest associates, but the war continues to intensify,' Murtha said."

That's a fair assessment. While the specific details of his proposition--having the troops home in six months--are less than desirable, and probably not feasible, the reasoning behind his decision is sound. I think the government has lost a step or two in its fight against terrorism, and it's showing. We need some stronger leadership to take control and either win the war with better tactics (we need to go for more guerrilla warfare) or start getting out if we can't handle it.

So, quoting the old baseball addage: Play hard or go home. America has the power to win, no problem, but someone seems to be having problems figuring out how to use that power effectively.