I'm following this discussion closely.

Teribus says,

" When since the 1920's have the people of Iraq had any say in who governed them - They do have that chance now, and that I would say (In 1066ALT terms) is a "Good Thing".

The problem is that there were people who supported Saddam as there were those in Germany who supported Hitler. I don't like it. But it was a choice made by some in Iraq and they were subsequently abused. They are still being abused. They don't have a real say in who and how they are governed. There is sufficient evidence historically to show that any leader who is not considered to be in the best interest of some US administrations (namely Bush and Reagan's)
will be replaced by a dictator. Arab princes. The Shah. Noriega. DuVallier. Chiang Kai Shek. Marcos.

During the WWII there was even support for "Uncle" Joe Stalin. Military juntas in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Uraguay, Colombia. One thing the US has never been able to export is democracy.

I sincerely wish that something good could come out of this boondoggle but I fear it will be only serving those in power and not the working people and citizens of America or Iraq.

I love the US and I know it can do better than what we have.

Frank Hamilton