The Americans Are Coming!

And in numbers big enough to field a basketball team! That is, unless a couple or three guys sprain an ankle. I suppose at least we are likely to be spared endless media recountings of how Bush's Liberia policy is "bold."

After at least two months of studying ways to help wartorn Liberia, President Bush has decided to send six to 10 American troops to assist West African peacekeepers, defense officials said Wednesday. Though an additional dozen could be added to the team, no decision has been made to send anything beyond 20 people to the West African nation, three officials said.

"Do not look at this as a vanguard of more people to come," one official said on condition of anonymity.

I've said before that I think we should be very hesitant about placing troops in Liberia, but if you're going to do it -- six to ten guys? If I was one of the Liberians pleading with the Americans to come in, I'd be disappointed if the US flatly refused, but I'd be insulted by this.

UPDATE (5:10 pm): And the official number is seven Marines.