My case, which is more or less of an extension of Powell's Pottery Barn Principle, has been pretty thoroughly debunked by a blogger called Hurria over at BooTrib.  I don't know Hurria at all, have no idea what his or her agenda might be, but whoever it is pretty clearly knows a lot more about the situation in Iraq than I do.  And Hurria says the very best thing the US could do is get out, and the sooner the better.

Booman Tribune ~ Will the Slaughter Get Worse if the U.S. Leaves Iraq? A Common-Sense Analysis

Certainly, Iraq would not suddenly turn into Shangri-la, or become the Switzerland of the Middle East as soon as the Americans left. It IS possible that the violence and killing not directly attributable to U.S. actions might increase somewhat in the beginning, but it is extremely unlikely that it could increase enough to exceed or even replace the violence and death caused by the "coalition" forces and the resistance. The capacity simply is not there, nor very likely is the will. In addition, the primary stimulus for much if not most of the violence would have been removed.

There is simply no chance of any improvement as long as the U.S. is in Iraq. On the contrary, as the past four plus years have shown clearly, as long as the U.S. is there the violence will continue to escalate and broaden, and the overall situation will continue to deteriorate.

Iraqis have been living together without serious conflict for millennia. Sunnis and Shi`as have lived together in Iraq for about 1500 years with no history of serious sectarian civil conflict. Iraqis are the only ones who have the history, the ability, and the will to repair their society and their country.

The United States must give Iraq a chance. It must get out now, and get out completely, and leave Iraq for Iraqis.

So.  I retreat to my earlier position which was I don't have a clue.

Now where are we going and what's with the handbasket?