“Americans have grown tired of the wars. While we support the troops, we’re tired of seeing flags flown at half-staff in honor of our fallen. We’re tired of seeing maimed young men and women rebuilding their lives. We’re tired of hearing about IEDs. We’re just tired and we’re sad that so much of our treasure has been used up in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

There won’t be a landing on an aircraft carrier tonight nor will there be a “Mission Accomplished” sign behind President Obama when he gives his speech tonight (6:00 p.m. Mountain time) from the newly-remodeled oval office.

But really, part of the mission is accomplished.

President Obama will speak about major combat operations ending in Iraq. Obama was against this war when it was not “cool” to be against this war. Even after the United States was in it neck deep, he did not support the surge that ultimately led to the United States to be able to withdraw our combat troops. It will be interesting to see if he gives any credit to former President George Bush for where we are today. Since politics play a role in everything, I doubt it.

Americans have grown tired of the wars. While we support the troops, we’re tired of seeing flags flown at half-staff in honor of our fallen. We’re tired of seeing maimed young men and women rebuilding their lives. We’re tired of hearing about IEDs. We’re just tired and we’re sad that so much of our treasure has been used up in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Long wars with 24 hour media coverage can tire a whole nation.

So now it’s more of a diplomatic mission in Iraq – with upwards of 50,000 troops on hand to help – until around this time next year when the timeline calls for them to come home. Iraq is nowhere close to being stable and that is what is troubling. The government (or lack thereof) has not formed yet and they may need another election, which will probably lead to more violence. So what does the United States do? We send Vice President Joe Biden over there to try and straighten out the mess.

I have never been a fan of setting timelines during a war – which is like telling the opposing football team which play you’re going to run next, but when we’re tired we do unwise things.

Of course, the Republicans will counter Obama’s speech with a speech of their own – as the Democrats did when Bush was the President. It’s fair. It’s politics.

We’ve grown tired of politics, too, but that column will have to wait for another day.

Finally and most importantly, our military men and women (and their families) get all the congratulations from me for this milestone. Their sacrifices and courage made it all possible – which are a couple of things that our leaders in Washington, D.C., are lacking.