About Iraq?

Even if we increase troops both directly and with allies, and push Sammara-like operations throughout other regions under 'insurgent' control, and an election is held in January ... what next?

It's taken Russia 13 years to drift back away from democracy -- wealthy years, driven by the price of oil.

Germany is still struggling to reconcile its two halves -- income and political schisms remain large.

Certainly 'democratizing Iraq' will take at least a generation.

With whose troops?

I hate to prognosticate that ca. February the next President will be addressing the nation to announce a phased departure of our troops from that country... either because 'it was much worse than I'd hoped by the time I came into office', or 'mission accomplished' redux...

Kerry has the bigger problem of recovering America's collapsed international status.

Bush just doesn't have a clue, but can't sustain the troop commitments, either.

On a brighter note, I had the chance to hear Denver's Mayor tonight, and chat a bit with the first couple. He reminded me that in Canada even the Mayors of the smallest of burghs are known as 'His Worship'.

And he said that he has the best job on earth.

My sense is he's got a great shot at staying in it for the next eleven years.

Which might just be an excellent thing for all of us...