The Shame of Iraq & CNN and The Big Question

BTW: I didn’t use the word “raving idiots”. I was quoting an Iraqi blogger.

In a way I agree that there was fear psychosis at play. USA overestimated the strike capability of Iraq and its influence over extremists.
Saddam, with all his problems, was a stabilizing force in Iraq and actually prevented extremists from spreading. USA has done more to spread extremism in 20/20 hindsight than in preventing it.
The cost of “war against terror” is not only in the actual war but also in addl. expenses like increased security and survillence. Can American economy take it?

possibly gain by damaging Iraq to this extent? I’m certain only raving idiots still believe this war and occupation were about WMD or an actual fear of Saddam.
I agree with this — in part, for the occupation, not the war. It is still not hard to believe the US *started* this war over WMD or some fear of what Hussein could do with them. Iraq had them, and, according to UN resolutions, had to produce positive evidence of their disposal. They did not, and, while that failure annoyed the international community, the US was the only country to jump the gun, figuratively and literally. The continuing tragedies of the occupation fall out of this mistake, and the resulting lack of trust of the US, which makes it impossible for the US to hand over government to the Iraqis, or even to play a major role in a long-term solution.
My heartfelt sympathies are for the suffering Iraqi’s who have lost so much for a meaninglenss war which served no purpose but to serve oil and one idiot’s ego.
Agreed — but you have the wrong word here. This was not George W attempting to one-up his father, any more than it was George W lining Haliburton’s pockets. Those answers are at once too easy and not enough. It was not ego that brought the US into this mess, and the Iraqis so much suffering, it was hubris.
Hubris: this was George W and company honestly believing that they knew what was best for the world, and deciding to implement it, damn the torpedoes, whatever the opinions of the world, and at whatever the cost to themselves. Hubris: this was George W and company believing that their way (Western democracy) is a superior form of government, so much so that they took for granted the Shia/Sunni/Kurdish psychology would also immediately agree.
In short, it is dangerous to assume this is a meaningless war. Sure, it is to you, but not to those who started it. Dismiss them at your peril. Throughout history, nobody has caused more damage and heartache than those who are convinced they are right. From Muslim terrorists to right-wing Christians who bomb abortion clinics to governments that start wars, nothing good occurs when somebody is convinced they know the One True Way and tries to impose that Way on another. Beware you do not fall into the same trap.