[techweenie]

Well put.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, IMHO. My contention is that we have a very long way to go.

I'm not ready to unfurl the "Mission Accomplished" banners at this time.

Saddam, love him or hate him, was a stabilizing factor in the Mideast. It's possible that the new Iraq govenment will be as well. I believe it's going to take many years of US occupation & resources to get there.

I am not for a minute arguing that Saddam was better for the Iraqi people than a democratic government, but governments imposed on people -- that they themselves didnt' fight to create -- are not likely to last.