Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.

When Obama made that statement a year ago February, he was fudging his campaign promise to have our troops home in 18 months after he took office (that would be last week).

I don't think anyone is willing to put money on even the fudged date.

( Full text of Obama's speech behind the cut. )

Want it from the White House web site? Click here.

Must be hoof-in-mouth

Went through my "friends" list this afternoon and was surprised to find a cartload of people had dropped me from their list, and maybe a couple who had never made it mutual. Also found a few people who had added me but I'd failed to return the compliment. Fixed that, except for the one spam account. Well, not exactly spam, it's a journal someone set up to follow people who post about SE Asia.

Band rehearsal tonight, concert Sunday. Gotta run.