8%

During his first year in office, the anti war president plans to reduce U.S. troop presence in Iraq by approximately 8%. By only 8%.

That's hardly what people expected when they heard the phrase "end the war".

And, in fact, more additional troops will be sent to Afghanistan than withdrawn from Iraq.

Again, that's hardly what people expected when they heard the phrase "end overseas adventurism".

The only thing more surprising than the administration's reversal of course (slowing of course?) on Iraq is the silence of the "anti war" community.

Did they ever really care about ending the war in Iraq?

Or, was it just about exploiting an effective wedge issue?

The fact is, young Americans will continue to die in Iraq. And, they will be no less dead because the administration is putatively anti war.