As an explanation of many of those. Was the result of a civil war, and probably the only way to hold that artificial country together. And this wasn't an issue at the time. The US didn't really demonize Saddam until later.

What Bush was told and didn't believe is that Iraq takes a very strong, ruthless government to keep it one country. Similar to the former Yugoslavia and Tito.

In some ways this can be compared to the American Civil War, where there were 970,000 casualties, about half of which were fatalities.

And Sherman's March to the Sea ("I'll make Georgia howl!") was pure terrorism.

None, though, in the US were gassed.

The commander of the 1st Marine Corp Division held a press conference from his headquarters a while back, one of Saddam's palaces.

He said that the 1st Marine Division was the Iraqis best friend if they went along with what he ordered.

And if they didn't, the 1st Marine Division was the Iraqis worst enemy.

Sounds a bit like Saddam, doesn't it, right down to the palace.

Now, there are 4,000,000 graves in Rwanda. Barely hit the papers.

Arf