Commentary: No Benchmarks

Echoing the sentiments of President Bush, Senator McCain has declared
that leaving Iraq will leave chaos, and that they will follow us here - a
variation on the "domino theory"of the Vietnam years.



It is almost certainly true, however, that unless we make restitution for
the damage we have done, we will face massive hatred in the Muslim world
for years to come. That's human nature. Restitution is not impossible. It
can be negotiated for over a period of years, will be cheaper than
continuing this financially ruinous war, and we can require war
profiteers to pay their share.

Benchmarks are simply a souped-up concept of withdrawal timelines. We
need to tell Congress: "No Benchmarks. No $100 billion. Negotiate the
peace."

- Jean G. Braun