A choice quote from Juan Cole's new article about the pending U.S. withdrawal (maybe) from Iraq:

Perhaps never before in history has an invader that won a crushing military victory, and that continued to occupy its prize, voluntarily accepted such humiliating terms from the vanquished. It is difficult to discern how Bush's agreement differs from the "surrender" Democrats were accused of advocating when they put forward a similar timetable for complete withdrawal.

Poor Bush, you'd think he'd be used to humiliation by now.

Speaking of violent occupations, I signed this petition today. Have a look.