By Susan Cornwell and Kristin Roberts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States could start withdrawing forces from Iraq this year if the additional troops being sent to Baghdad reduce violence significantly, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

"If these operations actually work you could begin to see a lightening of the U.S. footprint both in Baghdad and Iraq itself," Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

How many more times should we give Bush and his league the benefit of the doubt? Can they truly believe that 20,000 more troops would significantly decrease the amount of violence? It's like Boyle's law: Increase the mass of the gas (U.S. military involvement in Iraq) at a constant volume and an increase in pressure (violence and unrest) will result. And please someone call me on this if I'm wrong cause I really hope I am.