The calls for retreat—I mean—‘phased redeployment’ of American and Coalition forces from Iraq just keep getting louder, now including some Republican Senators who were once hawks but now have poll numbers to worry about.

I understand alot of the arguments for pulling out, though others are absurd, and their incessant PR doublespeak reminds me of Marine Corps General Oliver P. Smith’s reaction to a press account of his unit’s retreat from enemy forces in the Korean War: “Retreat Hell! We’re just attacking in another direction.”. If only he had the Pelosi/Murtha spin machine, perhaps he might’ve put things more delicately.

One thing I cannot abide is anti-war advocates claiming that a premature withdraw of Coalition forces from Iraq will not result in devastating civil war, genocide, and a mass stream of refugees. If you don’t believe we can win in Iraq, you don’t believe we have an obligation to stay and fix what we broke, and you don’t think our blood and treasure is worth the lives of potentially millions of Iraqi civilians, make that argument. Don’t pretend the insurgents, criminals, militias, and assorted Tangos will just throw down their arms and give the US Army the finger before shaking hands and making up with one another.

Don’t believe me and every other intellectually honest person who knows the first thing about the conflict in Iraq? Take it from N., one of my Iraqi developers who thankfully made it out of Iraq:

I guess what the politicians should start thinking about the Iraqis who helped the U.S army and U.S.G in Iraq and not only think about leaving. every body know if they US army leave now it will be a big civil war and it will not end …

There you have it. From a real live eye-rakee. So cut the crap, anti-war left (and right), and make up your mind: ‘phased redeployment’ and Iraqi bloodbath, or stay-the-course. Those are your only options.