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• Sunday, September 16, 2007 07:49 AM

  Right Wing Modesto Bee: "the war ... is a lost cause." and Bush's plea to continue "Not Acceptable"

  The Bee Says:

  "In the 4½ years since the United States started dropping bombs in Iraq, The Bee consistently has said our country must see this war through. We've also consistently opposed setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

  Until now.

  Our view has changed. The time has come for the United States, gradually and responsibly, to reduce its military commitment in Iraq.

  Why now?

  Because the cost of this war -- 60 to 90 dead U.S. troops and $9 billion each month -- is simply not worth the marginal accomplishments and the prospect that more than 100,000 troops could spend three to five more years in Iraq.

  Because our military leaders say our armed forces are so depleted that we are at risk of not being able to respond effectively to problems elsewhere -- including, heaven forbid, here at home.

  Because despite the best efforts of our military, Iraqi leaders have made only small steps in assuming responsibility for the security of their country and virtually no progress toward national reconciliation.

  And because victory in a land long plagued by sectarian violence is, in our opinion, highly improbable if not impossible. We've won some battles and might win some more, but the war itself is a costly lost cause."

  And the Bee goes on to say in the same editorial published in its Sunday edition this morning that Bush's "Return on Success" speech Thursday, in which he asked for another open-ended commitment "to defeat the enemy," was "not acceptable."

  -- Garry Owen

  —Garry Owen Read Garry Owen's other letters
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