You wrote: "Nobody is harboring any illusions about them being pro-Iraq freedom fighters any more. At least nobody with a brain."
That evidently excludes the Far Left in whose idiotic opinion whatever the USA does is wrong, by definition. If the USA had NOT invaded Iraq, the Far Left would have eventually gotten around to accusing the USA of acquiescing in the continuation of the brutal régime of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'athists.
Fundamental principle of the Far Left: "The USA can do no right."
David F Mayer