In a way that's true. Basically the meme has been we need to keep US combat troops in Iraq as long as they are needed, and for 1000 years as long as they aren't. Sounds like they have all the bases covered.

Don't forget the associated malevolent myths such as seizure of oil (which didn't happen in Iraq any more than it happened in the Middle East in 1973).

Oil is still a major-major part of the continued occupation of Iraq. Seizing the fields wholesale was always an impossibility. Opening them up to our corporations for exploitation was, and is part of the plan. The rest is about nominal control of the exports. If push comes to shove, the US wants to be able to shut the spigot for the rest of the world.

You seem to imply in your article that at some point, George Bush/Dick Cheney, John McCain or some other republican advocated keeping U.S. combat troops in Iraq one day longer than was absolutely necessary.

Could you post a link to that?

Of course, there is no link to something that never happened. Bush’s policy has been to leave Iraq the minute commanders on the ground assure him that Iraqi forces can handle the security of the country or, when asked by the Iraqi government to leave.

Despite posturing for internal Iraqi consumption, Maliki will not insist on the removal of all U.S. forces. The man is not an idiot. Permanent bases such as those we maintain in Korea, Japan, Germany and dozens of other locations will allow the Iraqi government to spend its oil wealth on the welfare of its citizens without the need to purchase billions in military hardware.

There is a difference of opinion between those of us who believe it is worth the lives and treasure to try to change the world for the better and those who want people subject to genocide and oppression to fend for themselves, but luckily that argument is moot now in Iraq.

My conclusion: “2011 is a long way away and without firm commitments on both sides, there is no guarantee we aren’t just looking at another empty promise”

They want us out………..its time to leave. No more money spent in that country. We found nothing. We have worked hard to balance the country. Lets come home.

Now. Today. They want it. Give it to them.