Don't Say You Weren't Warned

As noted in this New York Times piece, :

[T]he United States ambassador and the Iraqi foreign minister are warning that the departure of American troops could lead to sharply increased violence, the deaths of thousands and a regional conflict that could draw in Iraq’s neighbors.

Likewise, "General Petraeus, too, has warned in recent months that while there is a high price for staying in Iraq, including mounting American casualties, the price for leaving could be higher than many war critics have acknowledged."

All those who are stampeding for the exits will bear the blame for these outcomes, if they occur. They are agitating for the United States to act like some penny ante power that makes sweeping commitments throughout the world and then simply declines to live up to them.

The problem isn't that the Iraq government is taking for granted the presence of U.S. troops. The problem is that global jihadists and a few Saddam Hussein leftovers are trying to destabilize the country.

How disgraceful that the Democrats -- and now, a handful of Republicans -- would be advocating policies that would help them succeed.