No Alternatives

via Atrios, this piece of snotty elitism from a reporter, in response to a demand for withdrawal from Iraq:

Would you want a department store manager or orthodontist running the Pentagon? I don't think so. The reason that many politicians are squeamish about hard and fast goals of any kind in Iraq is that there is no simple response or solution -- it would have emerged by now. A withdrawal by year's end carries enormous, very serious implications.

Exactly the same game that got us in to the war in the first place:

Step 1) The media dismisses any views counter to Washington's status quo.
2003: We need to invade!
2006: We need to stay!

Step 2) The media declares that there's "no alternative", because they haven't allowed any discussion.
2003: Saddam could have WMDs.
2006: "A withdrawal by year's end carries enormous, very serious implications."

Step 3) Disaster ensures. Whee.