"There were no Iraqis involved in the attacks on Manhattan or DC."

In first "unsuccessful" attack on World Trade Center there was an Iraqi involved. But it really doesn't matter. If we simply leave after we have removed Saddam from power and let the Iraqis try to resolve their own affairs, it's quite possible that the results of doing would be additional terrorist attacks in America. Of course, a more important aspect is that Iraq and the region could become more chaotic, and possibly getting situation like Afghanistan- endless fighting, poverty, people fleeing the region, etc. In Afghanistan after our invasion, things in general have been improving- unlike the previous 20 years in that country. Right now in Iraq, things are improving. Iraq will probably recover faster than Afghanistan- it has oil revenues and it's society wasn't as completely destroyed as Afghanistan.

"This has been part of the problem in the case for a war against Iraq from the outset. "

Well, Saddam regime was destablizing the region. He started two wars, he supported various terrorist attacks, and he was doing nothing to help bring a about a peaceful relations with other countries in the region. And specifically as far as the US and Kuwait were concerned, he was not complying with his cease fire agreement. At least Iran were working towards a better country. And Syria was apparently getting out of Lebanon. Saddam was a dog that got run over, but soon as he could walk again he was going to get back into the middle of the road- nothing he did or said would indicate otherwise.