And 2011 begins with, what else...

Another 'pivotal moment' for the war in Afghanistan. From the L.A. Times:

2011 Seen as Make-or-Break Year for Afghan Mission

Of course, we are due for a pivotal moment in the war, as it has been six months since John McCain took the initiative in making the semi-annual pivotal moment proclamation which U.S. politicians have been making like clockwork for several years now.

But I'm sure this time they mean it. And far be it for me to suggest that having a pivotal moment in the war every few months for several years sort of suggests we are simply refusing to extricate ourselves from an unwinnable war. That sort of talk, unlike spilling billions of dollars from our coffers and gallons of blood on the Afghan soil, would be unpatriotic.