All hope is not lost, but this is, by nature, is a long conflict. Loyalty is not earned quickly or easily. True loyalty by the various groups is probably a generation or more away provided we succeed.

The only way forward is through a long, tough, counterinsurgency campaign. The common people must be won over. The mid-level fighters must be co-opted or killed (preferably co-opted), and the leadership of these groups must be arrested or killed. Killing insurgents and doing round-robin security operations all over the country is not a winning strategy - it’s a holding strategy. It seems to be we are keeping the lid on the teapot and not much more.

The big question is, will the American people be patient enough to see this through? My guess is probably not, but then I’m a cynic.

What you failed to take into account in your conclusion that “killing” al-Sadr is “the price for a more stable Iraq,” is that so far there has been no Shiite insurgency. Sure, in 04 al-Sadr did try to take on the Americans, but the Shiite community prevailed on him with the help of Sistanni not to fight the occupation. Taking on al-Sadr and his army now would break up the Shiite community and the day there is a Shiite insurgency is hell for America.

A couple of points about George the Destroyer and the cabal of militaristic Zionist neocons that manipulate him and you I might add:
1) Operation Iraqi Freedom has only managed to create a political stalemate in Iraq and the inevitable civil war. The only reason there hasn’t been a Shiite insurgency is they knew they would be in power after elections so why not let the Americans fight the Sunnis under the rubrics of Saddamists and Bathists.
2) America can not solve this problem alone, we need the help of the regional players and that includes Iran. Refusing to talk to Iran and continuously threaten them with war only insures failure in Iraq.
3) The presidents condescending retort, “I let the generals on the ground tell me what needs to be done” is a catch 22. First of all, it is side-stepping his responsibility as commander and chief, the generals take their orders from him, not the other way around. So when the president says, “As long as I’m president we will stay in Iraq,” any general that wants to keep his career in tact will never say what we need to do is strategic redeployment.
4) Anyone who thinks the way to fight terrorism is to drop bombs on Muslims is nuts.

Big spike in US KIA in the last week; so much for things going just great.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. It was sold to the US as a cake walk. When people are lied to over and over, they start to lose trust.

The incompotence of this administration is making us less safe and is helping our enemy.

NO MORE FEAR. NO MORE EXCUSES. BRING ME THE HEAD OF BIN LADEN!