The flags of Najaf

The image in Tuesday's newspapers was of a sea of Iraqi flags, as tens of thousands of Iraqis paraded in Najaf against the occupation of their country by the United States. If anyone were looking for an Iraqi answer to the "surge," it is in that photo.

There are those in America who still believe that a measured increase in manpower could bring about order and safety in Iraq. To them, we say: Look at the photos from Najaf. There is what they think of your idea. Ponder that crowd. See how many flags are in it. Think of the last time you saw American flags flying everywhere — what event had just happened. That was 9/11. Recall how people felt then. That is Najaf now. "Death to America," the crowd said. Thousands said it.

There is no arguing with a force like that. If it were World War II, we would obliterate it, but it is a different war and we cannot do that. A force like that cannot be eradicated with just a few more troops — the old and tired idea of Sen. John McCain — or with a federalism plan, the chirpy nonsense of Sen. Joe Biden. It cannot be neutered by a vote in the United Nations, or by Marines put to work building schools. Like the sea level, it rises.

The Iraqis want America out. Polls say so. Journalists say so. Iraqis we know in America say so. And if we were in their shoes, we would say so.

The war party charges that anyone who says these things is for "surrender." We are not for surrender, which means to drop one's weapons and put men and women into the hands of the enemy. Our forces can defend their orderly exit, and with honor. The Iraq war is not their failure. It is the failure of George W. Bush and his advisers, who embraced the radical and outlandish idea of transforming the culture of an Arab Muslim nation by occupying it with soldiers from America.

It is said that withdrawal would create chaos. Our reply is that staying in Iraq is creating chaos — and the deep anger that raises a sea of flags that are not ours.