w1ld wrote:
] ] President Bush today outlined an expansive vision of a
] ] postwar Iraq, speaking of toppling Iraqi President Saddam
] ] Hussein as a lesson to other American foes and of turning
] ] the country into a model of Middle East democracy and
] ] prosperity.
] ] ...
] ] At a time when the administration is facing nuclear
] challenges
] ] from North Korea and Iran, Bush spoke of using Hussein's
] undoing
] ] as an example to others. "By defeating this threat, we will
] show
] ] other dictators that the path of aggression will lead to
] their
] ] own ruin," he said.
] ] The president's remarks stepped up an effort begun in recent
] days
] ] to demonstrate to critics the U.S. commitment to rebuilding
] a
] ] postwar Iraq. "A free Iraq can be a source of hope for all
] the
] ] Middle East," Bush said today. "Instead of threatening its
] ] neighbors and harboring terrorists, Iraq can be an example
] of
] ] progress and prosperity in a region that needs both.
]
] Decius and I were just talking about this last night. What
] will happen to that region is there is a "free" country to
] live in.

I see this as backfiring in a huge way. Iraq is already the most progressive Muslim country in the region. Women are respected, literate, and active. Almost the entire country is literate. Schools and education are a top cultural priority. Life there is nice for the most part.

If it wasn't, then why hasn't Hussein been overthrown already? People get assassinated all over the world all the time. If things there are so bad, why hasn't anyone taken him out since 1991?

And you don't think the Saudis and Iranians will be pissed that they're living next door to the Muslim States of America?

RE: Bush: Iraq Can Be Lesson to U.S. Foes (washingtonpost.com)