Now the Pentagon is claiming, again, that we just *might* reduce forces in Iraq next spring

Assuming, of course, that we win by then. Actually, what they said was that we'll start to withdraw if the Iraqi security forces are ready by springtime. This is an absurd statement, and yet another outright attempt by our military leaders to mislead the American people.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno is repeating the same lie that they've been feeding us for years now - "if" things get better, "if" the Iraqi security forces are ready, then we'll withdraw. Uh, duh. I think we always knew that "if" things got better, we'd eventually leave. But things aren't getting better, and no one expects them to get better. Your own troops in charge of training the Iraqi security forces say it will probably take 30 to 40 years, if not longer, to get those forces up to par. And I quote the Washington Post, last October:

The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Gen. George W. Casey Jr., predicted last week that Iraqi security forces would be able to take control of the country in 12 to 18 months. But several days spent with American units training the Iraqi police illustrated why those soldiers on the ground believe it may take decades longer than Casey's assessment....

"I wouldn't let half of them feed my dog," 1st Lt. Floyd D. Estes Jr., a former head of the police transition team, said of the Iraqi police. "I just don't trust them."....

[Jon Moore, the deputy team chief] estimated it would take 30 to 40 years before the Iraqi police could function properly, perhaps longer if the militia infiltration and corruption continue to increase. His colleagues nodded.

"It's very, very slow-moving," Estes said.

"No," said Sgt. 1st Class William T. King Jr., another member of the team. "It's moving in reverse."

Yeah, I'm sure they'll be ready in 12 months. So what exactly is your point, General Odierno, other than to mislead the American people, and your own troops, because you're so career obsessed that you'll say anything to please the president? You're no better than Petraeus, Pace, and all the other career obsessed generals at the Pentagon who have lost touch with any sense of duty or honor.