rogue49

Let's put it this way.
Yes, the US unfortunately funded and/or helped the Iraqi war-machine.
As did many OTHER nations, including many who also profited from Iraq
and then protested the war against them.

Iraq was found in the past to have had WMD,
and it's willingness to use them.

Considering it invaded another country,
and then didn't comply on several terms with its first surrender by UN definition
and intelligence was showed that Iraq was continuing to research
and "perhaps" develop WMD on top of it arsenal then (whether valid or not)

Then all things considered, both past & present
violations, attitude, aggressions, actions (against outside & internal civilians)
It was decided it was best to pop a potentially festering sore.
That by past action showed that it was more than likely to NOT be benign.

Same reason we went into Kosovo.
The unstability in either area,
had the ability to pull our nation into major conflicts & wars and the greater international community too.
Both have done so in the past, and then with great potential in the future.

The current administration decide to head it off aggressively,
rather than being passive and letting it grow.
(although I disagreed with their international relations diplomacy)

And it acknowledged the past mistake of feeding that growth,
and took action to correct its mistake.
Simple.

Other nations decide to let it just be, and continue to make profits from it.
And even now, they are trying to get back into the deal.

Let's remember the decisions of ALL nations made are first for strength,
the rationalization after is that "value-based" rhetoric.
And hell, if it "promotes" your way of living...even better.

No one is innocent here.