>Strange that several members of the Bush Administration have stated on more than one occasion that we would be in Iraq for ten years. That has been said for the last two years. It might be said ten years from now. Who knows?

We will definately have a presence in Iraq for more than ten years, but it will not be an occupying force. Think South Korea and Germany.

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>As far as a historical perspective many scholars believe that you have to wait 100 years before events and their ramifications can be understood.
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Again I said "it takes 10-20 years to BEGIN to get a historical perspective of events."
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>>>Wow. Do you really think that if we occupy Iraq for 10 yrs, with constant fighting, there will only be a small minority that thinks of us as satan? What a truly myopic view.
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>>You misinterpreted. We will not occupy Iraq for 10-20 years. However, it will take 10-20 years to tell if democracy has taken hold or if things have deteriorated. Iraqi forces are now in charge of 50% of the country with expectations of 75% by the end of the year. It looks like we'll begin removing troops by year's end. Once the bulk of our force is removed the clock starts on history's judgement. Typically it takes 10-20 years to begin to get a historical perspective of events.
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>>>>>We'll have to wait and see. In 10-20 years we'll be able to look at Iraq and better understand the implications of our course of action. Until then it's all just bytes in the ether.
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>>>>>Perhaps the "course of action" will have resulted in another Middle Eastern generation that regards the US as the "great satan" and has graduated from Semtex to Plutonium as the only way they can see to give their lives meaning. Or perhaps Iraq will have become a peaceful democracy allied to the West. Either way, all that matters today is that we look strong.
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>>>>It is not the entire generation who hate us. It is a tiny, vocal and media savy minority.
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>>>>Let us both honestly hope that scenario #2 prevails.
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>>>>Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are what matter. To that end freedom, democracy and civil rights must be striven for and achieved for there to be any lasting peace in this world. We're talking about following through with a course of action we belive will achieve this result. We're not talking about 'looking' or 'acting' strong. This is not a playground game of the dozens, this is the fate of millions of people.