Frightened Children

Torn between their war-crazy base and, umm, the rest of the country that wants this war over, the many Republicans up for reelection next year are walking a fine line. Every few weeks, they'll walk past a microphone and issue some vague opposition to the war, but when it comes time to vote, they all fall right back in line.

Here's the latest super serious step they are considering to wind down this disaster-

A small group of Republicans facing election fights next year have rallied around war legislation they think could unite the GOP: Call for an end to U.S. combat in Iraq, but wait until President Bush is almost out of office....

Such courage! Kick that can down the road, oh brave Senators!

Democrats, of course, have better ideas, but can't seem to get any past the drawing board-

The Democrats on Friday deemed the legislation a nonstarter, and underscored the difficulty Congress has in striking a bipartisan compromise on the war...

..Senate Democrats tried to attach legislation ordering an end to combat [to the defense spending bill], but repeatedly failed to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome parliamentary hurdles...

It's amazing, in hindsight, how easy it is for a government to start a war (rushing votes, rallying the populace, signing the contracts), but ending it is something that no one seems able to figure out how to do. Perhaps when we do figure it out, we should write it down, so we'll remember for next time.

[UPDATE: Well here's a headline I don't like... 'Senate approves $150B in war funding']