Apologize, and Go Home

Some of the best writing I've seen about the reality on the ground in Iraq is this article by Maj. Bill Edmonds.

It is a must-read in order to evaluate the proposals in Washington, either the Baker-Hamilton "transition to training", the McCain "send more troops", or the White House "we'll find victory around here somewhere, eventually" version.

There are times when one is so thoroughly in the wrong place at the wrong time that trying to make it better only makes it worse. There are times when the best thing to do is just apologize quickly, and get the hell out.