re: The ungrateful
My rejoinder was hyperbole but no more so than yours.
I would agree with you that Iraq COULD well revert to a theocracy. That would be a failure for us. I see that as likely but I do not see it as inevitable. I say the reward is worth the risk. Reward being a somewhat democratic beachead in the Arab ME followed by the fall of religious based govt in Iran. I think this happens before the 4 more years are up.