Tell me again: why are we there?

Seven out of 10 Iraqis want foreign forces to leave: poll
16 March 2008
AFP
LONDON (AFP) - More than two-thirds of Iraqis believe US-led coalition forces should leave, according to a poll conducted for British television ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion.

The Iraqi people don't want us there.
We're bleeding $$$ staying.
Our troops keep dying.

US military deaths in Iraq at 3,988
By The Associated Press
16 March 2008
As of Sunday, March 16, 2008, at least 3,988 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes eight military civilians. At least 3,241 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

Note: this fairly low KIA total is one of several reasons I'm not keen on the Iraq/VietNam analogy. Five years in Viet Nam was a lot more expensive in terms of lives lost.

Nevertheless, the military itself confesses to being over-extended and unable to meet any new threat that might arise.

Afghanistan is falling apart.

Iran seems to be the big winner in the region.

Exactly what are we buying with our continued presence?

Stop the madness!