>>There are about 15 different factors that led to all this.
>>
>>You need to look at them all. It's pretty complex.
>
>That's the point I was trying (unsuccessfully) to make. There were many reasons and all were weighed. Some may have carried more weight than others. Just as the U.S. didn't go into the war for the sole purpose of seeking revenge on Saddam for attempting to kill Bush Sr (the original declaration back then as I recall). I believe that the U.S. did not go into Iraq for any single reason - the consideration of war is never cut and dried. To think so is naive at best. It is difficult to discuss any of the other reasons when the response is simply to declare that we were lied to and we stupid americans swallowed it hook line and sinker. If you even attempt to bring up other possibilities or reasons that were discussed in the past or now it is the same response again and again. Not much of a discussion (was my point).

Agree to a very large degree - I guess my estimation of "preplannedness" of the Iraq war is higher, even without any numbers cited.

>I think the world and the U.S. in particular needs (and will) research and dissect the reasons the U.S. entered Iraq. However, what concerns Americans now, and what should concern the world, is what to do about it NOW. What is best for both the U.S., Iraq, and the surrounding area. I'm not interested in a beating a dead horse carrying on the old 'look what you did' discussion. It would be better to focus and 'look what you could and should do.' If the rest of the western world were truly concerned about the Iraqi people they would do the same.

Focusing on "getting out of the mess" and perhaps even the more admirable "lets make the best of this mess" are mindsets more prevalent in your country than around the old world - and I am honest enough say that I am really envious of that aspect of "countrywide character". But you have also seen children realizing they made a mistake who are partially sorry, partially in denial it was *their* fault and honestly believing they will NEVER make this mistake again heading for an encore. I think "mass mind finding" has quite a few similarities to the thought process of young children (say sometimes brilliant 7 year olds who sometimes also have their attention span flooded by trivia), so harping on the dead horse can be seen as an attempt to stop it from happening again. Please note that I did *NOT* equalize any individual to a child but the more tidal "background awareness" which politicians sail on.

regards

thomas