an up-coming milestone

The Soviets invaded Afghanistan on 24 Dec 1979.
They left on 15 Feb 1989.
Total stay: 3,066 days.

As of today, 22 Feb 2010:
- U.S. invasion, 7 Oct 2001.
- Stay to date: 3,061 days.

In five days we'll have equaled the Soviet's wasted time.
In six days we'll have surpassed 'em!

Mark your calendars: 28 Feb 2010!
- our Afghan fiasco outlasts the Soviet's!

[recall: the Soviet Afghan misadventure is widely credited with bringing about the fall of the U.S.S.R.!]