We should get out as rapidly . . . as possible

"I can tell you what will erode our prestige. I can tell you what will hurt our viability as the world's superpower, and that is if we enmesh ourselves in a drawn-out situation which entails the loss of American lives, more debacles like the one we saw with the failed mission to capture Aideed's lieutenants, using American forces, and that then will be what hurts our prestige.

We suffered a terrible tragedy in Beirut, Mr. President; 240 young marines lost their lives, but we got out. Now is the time for us to get out of Somalia as rapidly and as promptly and as safely as possible.

I, along with many others, will have an amendment that says exactly that. It does not give any date certain. It does not say anything about any other missions that the United States may need or feels it needs to carry out. It will say that we should get out as rapidly and orderly as possible." - John McCain, Oct 19, 1993.

I couldn't agree more. As fast as possible to get the troops out safely. Alas, that was then and the President was a Democrat. Amazing how the rules have changed with a Republican in the White House and McCain thinking he might be the next President. The guy is nothing if not a hypocrite.

R.

Hat-tip to Glenn Greenwald