LaurenceB
Wow. Just wow.
Few things say “I have nothing intelligent to say” more clearly than the use of this rhetorical device.
Of course, it may be that we invaded Iraq for our own benefit, not for the Iraqis.
Ever heard of a “win-win” scenario? There’s no particular reason why it would have to be either for our benefit or for the Iraqis benefit. Both countries can benefit, at the expense of a third party, namely Saddam Hussein and his faction of Iraqis. Lately, Iraqis have been partnering with the US to benefit at the expense of the faction of Iraqis who wish to create a power vacuum into which they will inject their brand of religious extremism.
Is Iraq perfect? Hell no. In fact, we may come to learn that the entire Middle East is not worth trying to drag kicking and screaming into the 21st century. But, I would argue that even learning that lesson would bring the US some benefit, i.e. the benefit of no longer having to try to win “hearts and minds” in the Middle East, so we can just concentrate on blowing them all away, under the “more rubble, less trouble” theory. It’s hard to wage jihad on under 1,000 calories a day.
