Apparently, Senator Feingold is going to call for a fixed date to remove troops from Iraq. This idea has been amply discussed in the blogosphere (short version of the criticism--it allows the "insurgents" to run out the clock, after which they can have their way with the Iraqis). But I need this explained to me:

“The president’s policy in Iraq has played into the hands of the terrorists,” he said. “Iraq is now the principal training ground for terrorists.”

Assuming (only for the sake of argument) that this is true, can he, or someone, explain to me how this will become less the case after we pull out before the war is won? Why wouldn't Iraq simply become another Taliban-run Afghanistan (given the nature of the people who are doing most of the murdering, and they're mostly not Iraqis, who would like to impose a similar fascistic Islamic state)?

Simple, Rand.

All of the terrorists are motivated by patriotism. They'd disband, the minute it turned out we were leaving.

Think southern Lebanon or Gaza. Indeed, I think it safe to assume that terrorism against Israel, having dropped since the Israeli pull-out from south-Lebanon, will drop further once they leave Gaza.

And when the Israelis leave the West Bank, by this analysis, there won't be any more terrorism at all.

The color of the sky? A lovely tangerine, why do you ask?

Interesting. Way back in 1984, Senator Feingold was one of those on the SASC leading the failed vote to deauthorize funding for the Lebanon intervention just weeks before a truck bomb exploded outside the barracks, killing 240 Marines. Althought the vote failed, at the time people like Feingold (and Mccain, then in the house) argued that it was time to pull of Lebanon out before we got into another Vietnam. I think it's likely Feingold's still stuck in Vietnam syndrome.

oops. That should say 1983, not 84.

Feingold is merely leading the way for the American people to finally understand exactly how fast you can destroy your own chances for the presidency. With all the times he's shot himself and his party in the foot, someone should take away his ammo.