Iraq: should we stay or should we go?

My opinion on Iraq has evolved over the years. At first, I was avidly against the war. I was sickened by the fact that we went to war with a nation that was not a threat to us. (though was always anti-Saddam) Once we started fighting, I thought we should stay to fix the mess we imposed on the Iraqi public. Then, I thought we should stay because Iraq turned into a festering hotbed for terror, and suddenly we really WERE fighting the war against Islamofascism in Iraq. My opinion is evolving yet again. Last week I met an extraordinary human being. I met Zeyad, from Healing Iraq. He is a sweet, intelligent, and kind human being, who clearly is haunted, knowing he has family and friends over in Iraq, and that he is over in NYC, unable to help them. Zeyad also, out of all places he could move, moved to my neighborhood of Brooklyn. That is how we met! First I will describe the meeting, and then go into why I now wonder if we should be in Iraq. Zeyad and I met at a coffee/tea shop in my neighborhood, and as soon as I saw him, I was put at ease by his sweet smile. We sat in the coffee shop talking and talking, he explaining what it's like to be a grad student at CUNY School of Journalism, covering mundane local NYC politics after having covered major Iraqi events. We then went to an Indian restaurant and enjoyed a good curry. I was horrified at his telling me he could eat three big macs, no problem! I have no idea where he keeps it, as he is very lean. Then we went for a walk through the neighborhood, finally ending near where I live at close to 11:30 pm, when we bid adieu. The 3 1/2 hours wizzed by quickly. In our discussions, Zeyad spoke of how little America is really able to do to ameliorate the situation in Iraq. He spoke of an outright civil war, and American troops that do not want to take sides. He spoke of sharia law being dominant in Iraq, and a law that was passed saying it is a felony to criticize the government. (so much for free speech) He spoke of assassinations against the intelligensia, and an attempt to wipe out all shia and all sunni. And after listening to this, it all gelled to me... We are wasting our resources in Iraq. If it has gotten THIS BAD (and it's worse than you think, according to Zeyad), and we cannot do anything to stop the violence, then why are we wasting American lives, and the American military might over there? What is our purpose if we are doing nothing to prevent the lawlessness? Moreover, why are we there when there are pressing problems that it appears we CAN deal with (Sudan and North Korea), and a looming threat that we cannot be neutered when we inevitably clash? (Iran) Unless we radically change our policy in Iraq, I truly believe it's pointless to remain there. I could support us remaining in Iraq, but not under the current rules. Something has to change.