[sailhog]

What chaps my a$$ is that Pres. Bush didn't see fit to make a dramatic change until after he got "a thumpin'" in the 2006 election. The initial invasion of Afganistan was a far more closely run deal than most people remember -- in my opinion. Iraq was a much taller order, and to be truly effective, we needed to make it look easy so that f'd up nations like Iran would be ashaking in their boots. Instead, the long, failing pascification phase played into their hands... until now. Bush actually seems to be coming into his own these days. He looks old and tired and wise, and nothing like the petty arrogance of the early years. Good for him and good for us. Better late than never.