Yes, many folks did want Saddam gone. They wanted him gone because he was a threat to our security and here's another angle you may not have considered - we knew about the oil for food scam and how the UN helped facilitate Saddam's liquid cash supply to purchase all sorts of prohibited items.

Again, if Idi Amin had been taken out by US forces - would be lamenting the fact? Would we be complaining because a number of the inhabitants of the region were sad Idi was gone? Or would we count each death daily in some futile effort to discredit the deposing of Amin?

Of course not. We went to war to remove Hitler even though he wasn't involved in December 7 - likewise we didn't need Saddam's involvement in September 11 to go to war against Saddam. Bad guys risk being deposed by bigger more powerful nations - that's the way the world works.

Again, I reiterate, the removal of Saddam and the formation of a freer Iraqi nation with US ties is a good thing. A very good thing. All the folks who wanted Saddam gone had very good reasons to want him gone. He was a destabilizing influence and the lynchpin that kept US hands tied in the region. I remember when many folks on the left were saying that it was Bush senior's fault that he didn't roll into Baghdad back and take out Saddam back in 91 - they lamented him stopping at Kuwait and just burying the army. Now, a year and a half later, these same folks lament taking Saddam out with almost 1000 casualties - a pittance by historical standards. Not only was he captured but he was taken alive.

True peace in the Middle East is closer. A Middle East which doesn't obsess about Israel may eventually evolve from the ashes of Bush's strategic action. The US has a base of operations which will soon be able to press reforms in Saudi Arabia. Our tactical situation to deal with crisis' in the region has been improved a thousand-fold.

I'm not just looking through rose colored glasses either - the road ahead is going to be difficult. North Korea, Iran and China are still on the table. As Iraq gets their own house in order and we reduce our presence there, we will certainly find many effective places to utilize them elsewhere. Iraq will make engaging Iran, if necessary, a piece of cake. The Condolleezza national security doctrine is in effect - and it is working.

SDAI-Tech1