Finally, it may not be long before we can realistically set our goals. The coming elections and the battles for the cities will either put Iraq on a path to normalcy or introduce us to some new hell. Yesterday, Rumsfeld said Iraq had "a crack" at being a success. At least he's not overhyping.

I could say the same for David Brooks that he says for Rumsfeld. In each case, all that's missing is some contemplation of what was said about occupying Iraq before the war and what those words tell us about the people who said them, and the speaker could be said to be in touch with reality, ready to think honestly about the various sets of emotional blinders that prevent fruitful discussion of Iraq.