[john70t]

What is there to loose, though?
Similar to Yugoslavia (an Israel if you stretch it), there was an oppresive/defensive entrenched secular minority in command of a multitude of culturally-diverse(Islamic) areas that were agressively seeking independance and growing in population and strength.
The minority was militarly destroyed by the US, and civil war along ethnic/religeous lines began.

This senario was told time and again by some of Bush's advisors who stressed the need for a quick resolution and turnover-and they got transfered.
So the Iraqi populous is stuck between the choice of two gangs fighting for power, one of which is supported from several neighboring countries. The only option to stop THOSE, is to defeat them as well.
What benefit to US interests is there, except to mire us in foreign debt/deficit to those who are our real competitors?

Is the average Iraqi really a moderate that whould accept a neutral government? I think not at this point.
There is a leadership technique where the boss gets the employees to stop bickering by making them all pissed/afraid of him/her.

(funny, after my last post my internet connection got cut off.)