"A long hard slog..."

A popular definition of insanity: Keep doing the same thing over and over, and expect different results.

U.S. blames Shiites in new Iraq violence
By ROBERT H. REID, Associated Press Writer
[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071124/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq]

Several years ago McCain called the U.S. so-called "strategy" in Iraq 'Whack-a-Mole'. It hasn't changed.

Our military leaders have recently acknowledged that "Al Qaeda in Iraq" is no longer the problem (if it ever was). Various nationalist groups - most opposed to the current puppet regime - are the problem.

Note: calling the various opposition elements "nationalist groups" changes the dialog.

Here's a fun game:
Take any MSM article on Iraq. Replace all references to "insurgents" or "militias" with the terms "nationalists", or "patriots", or "freedom-fighters." The substance of the article will not change, but the tone will, dramatically.

All original war aims have been achieved:
Iraq has no WMD.
Saddam has been deposed.
There is an Iraqi Constitution & Government.

No one has yet articulated any new strategic objective. Lacking a strategic objective, arguments about "strategy" are pointless.

Stop the madness!