Do you think that getting rid of Saddam will result in a pro-Western government? I think there are some things to consider.

First, the Iraqi people have been propagandized by Saddam for years, and years, and years. From what I've read, they genuinely like him. That's partially why, along with brutality, there is no viable resistance movement.

While the Iraqis have been demonized in the West, the reality is Saddams policies reflect the will of most Iraqis.

Second, during the Gulf War the West was demonized inside Iraq, and "collateral" damage reinforced their hatred.

Third, since the Gulf War the US imposed sanctions have caused untold grief to your basic Iraqi. They do not like the people who were the impetus behind those sanctions any more than we would. Internally, the US has been blamed for those. They feel about the war and sanctions the way the US feels about the WTC. The damage has unified them the way it has us, not made them eager to please the opponents, the way the US has no noticeable intention to accomodate al-Qaedda.

Fourth, the UN inspections were presented to them as humiliating and a demonstration of the arrogance of the US. The inspectors were considered spys for the US, with some truth.

Given those attitudes, what do you think the chances of a regime after Saddam being pro-US? For one, it would be against the will of the people so it would have to be a dictatorship held in power by military force.

The only way around that might be to occupy every part of Iraq, for years, until one or two generations of people can come of age under a more benevolent regime.

I don't know what GWB envisions next for Iraq, or if just getting rid of Saddam will do it. If his agenda is to avenge his father, that would be all he might be after. He could depose or kill Saddam, declare victory, and go home. That would say a lot. The people of the US (except for some of the party-liners, hook, line and sinker swallowers on this board) would know they had been sold a bill of goods. But to stay longer, a generation or two, to really do the job, doesn't seem like a great idea, either.

Arf