Now, given both my limited knowledge of war strategy & the military in general and my lack of caffiene this morning as there was no coffee left in the pot in the office kitchen, I can easily be misinterpreting this article.

But CNN is reporting that Bush is calling for a shortening of tours of duty in Iraq "from 15 months to 12 months as U.S. troop deaths have declined to their lowest level since the war began in 2003."

Are you telling me that the main reason that we are sending people over there for shorter periods of time is because fewer of them are dying?
So, before, there was a much higher chance of them dying, so the plan was to keep them over there, just to increase the odds?
Although I am hugely relieved to hear the news of the shortening, I fail to see the logic of their reasoning behind it.

I guess at the same time, the fact that fewer people are dying is a sign of more stability (and it is noted that of the 9 who died this month, 5 were due to non-combat related causes). The article continues on to say

Bush said the United States is "making progress" in its discussions with Iraq "on a strategic framework agreement," which would "serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq" once a U.N. mandate authorizing multinational forces expires at the end of the year.

As anyone who has ever had to meet with a TF about a paper they haven't yet started knows, "making progress" may be the single most vague statement one can make when talking about getting anything done. For instance, right now, I would consider getting a cup of coffee "making progress" (if only I could...).

But putting aside potential coffee progress, if real advances are being made in these negotiations, how would that affect November? If any legitimate advances are being made, the fear of McCain's thousand year war might be unnecessary, or at the very least Bush might be able to resurrect his "legacy" in its final hour and go out on a strong note, and...you know where I'm going.

I can't think about this.
I really need to go find some coffee immediately.