cut and run or proper planning?

Bob Herbert hit the nail on the head in his op-ed today

Americans need to understand that Mr. Bush's invasion of Iraq was a strategic blunder of the highest magnitude. It has resulted in mindboggling levels of bloodshed, chaos and misery in Iraq, and it certainly hasn't made the U.S. any safer.

I would add that it has--as predicted by experts--increased the number of converts to the terrorists cause.

What I've never understood about the tough-guy "we don't cut and run" rhetoric is the fact that at some point we have to leave; actually we don't have to leave we could stay indefinately and have a giant drain on our economy and security, pulling us down from our slot as the sole hyperpower. But my question is, if you agree that we have to leave, how wlse do you expect for the troop drawdown to occur. the "enemy" is going to know betore it happens, and yes they will attempt to exploit the oportunity that leaving will create. But maybe we should allow the civil war that is bound to occur--or rather is occuring right now--to get going. We can use our resources and power in more effective areas. if you don't want Iraq to become another Vietnam don't make Iraq another Vietnam: Set a timetable now.