Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

What's the point? Well, justifying people's opposition to it. Petty minded politics. Truth. There's lots of reasons.

I think I understand where you're coming from powerclown, and I actually agree with you. We can all argue about whether the invasion was right or wrong; well, it was obviously wrong. But the US (and Poland!) are there now, so it's time to get the job done as quickly and smoothly as possible. It's almost like "No point in crying over spilt milk".

The problem with Iraq is that it's turning out to be a real quagmire. When anyone warned about the lack of any strategy or compared it to Vietnam, they were ridiculed by the right-wing media and Bush supporters. I don't think anyone would laugh at that comparision again.

Do I think the US will be defeated in Iraq as it was in Vietnam? No. But I do think it will be forced to withdraw, leaving a ramshackle, besieged puppet regime tottering on the brink of collapse and descent into bloody civil war. To quote another proverb, "Better the Devil you know". Perhaps it would have been better with Hussein left in power, kept in check like a cages animal. Because, if the election is successful (or even semi-successful), you're almost guaranteed to see the Shi'te majority elect a religious government. And surely America can't object to the exercise of freedom, and democracy and self-determination, can it.

Can it?...

It's a real difficult situation powerclown. And I feel for you having to support the Bush position, as any good man should support his leader. I'll finish with another quip. "You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."

So there's not much America can do but soldier on (excuse the pun), and try to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. No point in hanging around and dealing with your own mess, as it's going to be next to impossible to clean up properly. Hopefully this will discredit the chickenhawks in the Bush camp and dissuade any ridiculous plans or strategy with regards to military action in Syria, Iran or North Korea.

Funny how we don't hear much about the "axis of evil" anymore. I suspect they wish that speech had never been written...
Mr Mephisto