It's deeply fucked up, but, unfortunately, there's a lot of truth to it, in my opinion.  I don't think the country is ready to throw in the towel on Afghanistan, at least not until bin Laden is killed or captured.

Now, if that can be done (and it'd help if President Shit-for-Brains actually gave a damn about it), the story would change dramatically.  Suddenly, the next president could declare victory and take the easy exit.  Whether he/she would is another question.

Conservatives want live babies so they can raise them to be dead soldiers. - George Carlin

That is absolutely right-we have to start debating the real issues rather than proxy issues.  Should we be there?  If not, should we pull back asap or steadily over some period.  Can we get help turning this over to some less divisive parties?  I don't know the best answers-I'd say yes, right now, and beg the UN to take over...but thats me.  But your point is exactly right, we cannot come to a good answer without talking about the issues without fear of the discourse.  There may not be a good answer anyway, but this skulking around the issue is shameful.

"I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester, You know I'm a peaceful man...'" Robbie Robertson

You have to admit, it worked for George Bush.

"I am a compassionate conservative. I believe the US should not be involved in using its military for international police work."