U.S. should leave Iraq immediately

General David Petraeus' so-called report on Iraq was, is, and will be irrelevant. The information that he presented was so slanted and biased as to be useless.

A complete and rapid withdrawal from Iraq of all Americans, military, advisory, diplomatic, economic, and otherwise, is the wisest course for the United States. The Bush administration was wrong morally to invade and occupy Iraq. While breaking and entering Iraq was clumsy and poorly planned, the acts of invasion and occupation failed to meet the standards of American ideals.

We should withdraw, apologize, and pay reparations to the Iraqi people commensurate with our current monthly expenses of occupation. International and regional peacekeeping forces should take over the rebuilding of the nation or nations that may emerge. Such forces should not include American or NATO soldiers; Muslim troops would be preferable.

We cannot fix it ourselves. Sectarian violence, whether called criminal or otherwise, is inevitable; but we should not put Americans in the line of fire. Sixty-plus American deaths per month (a conservative estimate) is inexcusable for an elective war and occupation.

The terrorists may be in Iraq; but we created the situation where they have arrived. Terrorism is a criminal act; treat it as a police concern -- not a military one.

We continue to ignore the legitimate reasons why there are terrorists. It is wise to remember that the American revolutionaries of 1776 would be considered terrorists in today's lexicon.

Herb Best

Streamwood