on your mark.

There has been a lot of talk about our military commitment in iraq being tied to certain benchmarks of iraqi progress, but not too much mention of what those benchmarks are.

i have some proposals.

withdrawal:.....................benchmark:

10 troops.............................baghdad installs 911 emergency response system

100 troops..........................baghdad grocers offer whole-wheat pita

500 troops..........................rail system linking the cities of basra and mosul

1,000 troops.......................prime minister maliki starts wearing zegna suits

5,000 troops.......................national iraqi healthcare

10,000 troops.....................daily saved by the bell re-runs

20,000 troops.....................equal rights for iraqi women

50,000 troops.....................widespread availibility of all-natural cat food

75,000 troops.....................a legitimate judicial system

100,000 troops...................brangelina purchases bungalow in anbar province