Iraq: I'm forced to agree with the Arab street

"Six years after the U.S. overthrew Saddam Hussein's government, tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in the rain in Iraq's capital Thursday to mark the anniversary and renew calls for an American withdrawal. . . . Speakers at the rally called on President Barack Obama to "keep his promise to the world" and withdraw U.S. troops quickly."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/658 10.html

I can't say I disagree.

And, I'm quite nostalgic for the days when there were also protesters on the streets of the U.S. capital, demanding complete withdrawal with all deliberate speed.

Or, protesting plans for permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. Remember that? When anti war protesters were opposed to permanent bases and residual troops in Iraq?

Instead, the "anti war left" now seemingly accepts the concept of permanent "residual" forces in Iraq, "residual" being defined as 50,000, two-thirds of the approximately 75,000 U.S. troops in Iraq at the lowest point of the post invasion, pre surge troop draw down (which, ironically, was the height of U.S. anti war protest).

Did people really start an anti war movement in order to reduce the permanent "residual" U.S. troop strength in Iraq by one third?

Bad ideas remain bad ideas, even after they're adopted by good people.