IRAQ WAR

I believe we should immediately lay out our military and political objectives in Iraq and withdraw our troops by 2011 or sooner. America's military action in Iraq has gone on long enough and we have done much to improve the lives of the Iraqi people. It is time to bring our fighting men and women home. However, it is important for us to ensure that the Iraqis are ready and able to stand on their own- as they eventually must do- before we leave. We need to set clear objectives for the training and preparation of Iraqi government personnel, as well as our remaining military goals. When those objectives are met, we can then safely bring our troops home without opening up the area to a takeover by terrorist groups or hostile forces. This plan would also send the right message to other hostile countries: America will not waste her time and resources, but she will fight for freedom and democracy anywhere it is necessary.

When we do bring our brave soldiers home, it is most important that we do not quietly ship them back to let them feel disgraced and dishonored, as we shamefully did to the Vietnam War veterans. We must welcome our proud troops home with respect and pride, not only with parades and fanfare to thank them for their service and sacrifice for their country, but also with the proper medical and mental care that they need and rightfully deserve.